🍗🔥 Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—this air fryer version gives you “fried” chicken texture with much less oil.
🧾 Ingredients:
- 6–8 pieces chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone-in works best)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1–2 tbsp oil spray
🔪 Instructions:
1. Marinate
- Soak chicken thighs in buttermilk for at least 1–2 hours (overnight = best)
2. Prepare coating
- Mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne
3. Coat chicken
- Remove chicken from buttermilk
- Dredge in seasoned flour until fully coated
- Lightly spray with oil for crispiness
4. Air fry
- Preheat air fryer to 190°C (375°F)
- Cook for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway
- Spray lightly with oil again mid-cook for extra crunch
5. Check doneness
- Chicken should be golden brown and reach safe internal temperature (juicy inside, crisp outside)
🍽️ Result:
Crispy, flavorful chicken thighs with a crunchy coating and tender, juicy meat—classic fried chicken feel without deep frying.
🔥 Pro Tips:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket—airflow = crispiness
- Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken for juicier results
- A light oil spray is key for golden color
🧠Serving Ideas:
- With mashed potatoes or fries
- With coleslaw and biscuits
- With hot sauce or honey drizzle
If you want, I can also make a KFC-style copycat version, a spicy Nashville hot version, or a low-carb crispy coating alternative.