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Golden, crispy, juicy, and tasty—Air Fryer Fried Chicken. This method offers a simple and cleaner take on the traditional Southern dish.
Who else enjoys fried chicken? With its crunchy exterior and tender interior, it truly is one of America’s beloved comfort foods for a very good reason.
Now, I’ve managed to perfect the classic Southern fried chicken using an Air Fryer. Making Air Fryer Fried Chicken is much cleaner and requires considerably less oil. Still, it remains just as crispy and tasty as the version that is deep-fried.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Ingredients:
In my opinion, the key to creating the best fried chicken, whether in an air fryer or any other way, lies in brining it. This process is a family favorite of mine, so it was only logical to start with a brine for my Air Fryer Fried Chicken to ensure it’s just as mouthwatering.
When it comes to chicken, my family usually favors drumsticks above all other cuts (with the exception of my deep-fried chicken wings), so I’ve used those in this recipe. You can opt for any SKIN ON chicken that you like. Just keep in mind that the cooking times may differ.
To prepare the brine you will need:
WATER
SALT:
Kosher salt is the best choice for this recipe.
BROWN SUGAR:
This helps the skin brown and adds a touch more flavor.
DRIED SUMMER SAVORY:
This herb is one of my top choices. It has a unique earthy and peppery taste. I believe it deserves more recognition and can be a bit tricky to find. If you can’t locate it, dried thyme makes a wonderful replacement.
GRANULATED GARLIC
After you brine the chicken, the next stage is to prepare the coating. You will require:
FLOUR:
All-purpose flour works wonderfully for this task.
CORNSTARCH:
This ingredient provides the extra crunch in your chicken coating.
SUMMER SAVORY/GRANULATED GARLIC/SALT/PAPRIKA/BLACK PEPPER/ONION POWDER:
It’s vital to season each step when preparing fried chicken. Thus, seasoning the flour is critical. This combination of spices will perfectly enhance the flavor of the fried chicken.
NON-STICK SPRAY:
I prefer using vegetable or canola oil non-stick spray to achieve a nicely browned and crispy coating on the chicken.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Place the chicken into a brine inside a plastic bag. Brine the chicken.
- Coat the brined chicken in the seasoned flour and cornstarch mix. Shake off any excess.
- Arrange the flour-coated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook at 390 for 30 minutes. You may need to do this in batches.
- Halfway through cooking, turn the chicken over and spray any dry areas with additional non-stick spray. Complete the cooking process.
Step 1:
Prepare the brine. Allow the chicken to brine for 2 to 4 hours.
Step 2:
Wash the chicken and dry it well. It is important to do this with care and to clean the sink afterward to avoid spreading germs.
Step 3:
Dip the chicken in a mixture of seasoned flour and cornstarch. Make sure to remove any extra coating.
Step 4:
Apply cooking spray to the chicken. Bake at 390 degrees for half an hour. After 15 minutes, flip the chicken and spray it again, ensuring that any dry areas are covered.
TIP:
Depending on how large your air fryer is, you may need to cook the chicken in multiple batches. To keep the chicken warm, place it on a wire rack on a baking sheet and keep it in a warm oven.
Tips For Achieving Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken:
BRINE:
I strongly suggest brining the chicken first, similar to my popular Brined Fried Chicken. This is effective in keeping the meat juicy. This recipe uses a traditional water brine, but buttermilk is also a great option.
COAT IN FLOUR/CORNSTARCH:
To make sure the skin is crispy, I recommend coating the chicken with a blend of flour and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps maintain moisture in the chicken.
SPRAY WITH COOKING SPRAY:
While frying chicken in the air fryer requires less oil, using a little oil is still beneficial because of the flour and cornstarch. This helps with browning.
COOK IN A SINGLE LAYER:
After trying many recipes in my air fryer, I have found that fried chicken should be cooked in a single layer. This prevents sticking and ensures that all parts become golden brown.
Recipe FAQ:
Is it safe to cook raw chicken in the air fryer?
Yes, it is perfectly fine! Consider your air fryer as a small convection oven. You can place raw chicken, meats, or vegetables in it, and they will cook thoroughly.
What should I spray on my chicken before frying it?
I typically use a non-stick spray made from vegetable or canola oil. Avoid varieties that include flour for this recipe since the chicken is already being coated in flour.
Why isn’t my chicken crispy in the air fryer?
There are a few factors that could lead to this issue. First, ensure that you completely dry the chicken after washing it off from the brine. Secondly, provide enough space around the chicken while cooking so that the hot air can circulate. This means you may have to prepare this recipe in batches.
In my household, fried chicken is a favorite for many of us, except for my oldest child. That changed once he tasted this recipe. His response, “Mom, this is the best crispy chicken ever!” convinced me to make this dish a regular part of our meals.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Air Fryer Fried Chicken that is mouthwatering, moist, crispy, and beautifully golden. This simple and cleaner approach to traditional Southern comfort food is delightful.
Preparation Duration 2 hours 15 minutes
Cooking Duration 1 hour
Overall Duration 3 hours 15 minutes
Category Main Courses
Cuisine Type Southern
Yield 5 Servings
Caloric Content 339 kcal
Ingredients
Brine Ingredients for Chicken:
▢1 teaspoon of granulated garlic
▢10 chicken drumsticks
▢2 quarts of cool water
▢1/2 cup of kosher salt
▢1/4 cup of brown sugar
▢3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of dried summer savory
Breading Ingredients for Chicken:
- ▢3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- ▢3/4 cup of cornstarch
- ▢1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- ▢1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- ▢1 teaspoon of summer savory
- ▢3/4 teaspoon of paprika
- ▢1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- ▢1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- ▢cooking spray
Instructions
- ▢ In a large pot, mix 1 quart of water with 1/2 cup of kosher salt, brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of summer savory, and garlic powder. Heat over medium until the salt and sugar dissolve.
- ▢ Add the other quart of cool water. Let the brine cool to room temperature.
- ▢ Put chicken pieces into a gallon-sized bag. Pour the brine over them. Seal the bag and keep it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 4. This step can also be done in a bowl that doesn’t react with the brine, covered with a lid.
- ▢ Wash and dry the chicken pieces.
- ▢ In a bowl, mix all the breading ingredients thoroughly. Coat the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully covered, and shake off any extra flour.
- ▢ In batches, lay the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray it with cooking spray. Cook it at 390 degrees for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the chicken and apply more cooking spray to any dry areas.
- ▢ Take the chicken out of the air fryer and keep it warm in an oven on a wire rack while you finish cooking the rest. Enjoy it hot.
Additional Notes
Typically, I prepare this chicken in two batches since I can fit 5 drumsticks per batch in my air fryer. Depending on your air fryer size, your cooking time may vary.
At the halfway mark when you flip the chicken, be sure to reapply non-stick spray to prevent any dry patches. This ensures the chicken remains crispy and evenly browned rather than dry or floury.
Nutrition information serves only as an estimation.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 339 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 42. 1 g
- Protein: 27. 8 g
- Fat: 5. 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1. 5 g
- Cholesterol: 81 mg
- Sodium: 11408 mg
- Fiber: 2. 2 g
- Sugar: 7. 5 g.
