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Air Fryer Fried Chicken on a plate
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Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Fried Chicken gives you juicy buttermilk-marinated chicken with a crispy golden crust and that irresistible fried chicken crunch — all without deep frying.
Course Chicken Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Air Fryer Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Marinating 12 hours
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 4 pieces
Calories 245kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 large garlic, minced
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon season salt
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • cooking spray
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk (1 cup), vegetable oil (2 tablespoons), honey (2 teaspoons), garlic (1 large), 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
    Step 3 how to make air fryer chicken, Refrigerate overnight for up to 2 days.
  • Place chicken pieces in a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag and pour buttermilk over the chicken. Press out as much air as possible and seal bags. 
    Place on a rimmed dish or plate in case the bag leaks. Refrigerate overnight for up to 2 days.
    Flip the bag halfway through marinating time.
  • Take the chicken out of the ziplock bags and place it on a wire rack so any extra marinade will drip off.  
    Step 4 how to make air fryer chicken, Take the chicken out of the ziplock bags and place it on a wire rack so any extra marinade will drip off.
  • In a shallow bowl whisk together flour (1 cup), seasoned salt (1 tablespoon), and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  • Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, dip into the egg (1), then dip again into the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Place coated pieces on a piece of foil. Mist the chicken with vegetable oil.
    Step 7 how to make air fryer chicken, Dip again into the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF (199ºC) for 5 minutes.
    Arrange coated pieces of chicken in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer.
    Set the air fryer to 390ºF (199ºC) for 18-30 minutes (depending on the size of the chicken pieces and brand of Air Fryer) or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165ºF (74ºC) when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, not touching the bone.
    You’re looking for deeply golden craggy edges and a crunchy coating that practically crackles when you bite into it.
    Step 8 how to make air fryer chicken, Mist the chicken with vegetable oil and cook the chicken in the air fryer.
  • Immediately let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices stay inside the meat and the coating stays crisp.

Notes

  1. Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken while adding subtle tangy flavor and helping the coating cling beautifully.
  2. Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps the crust brown beautifully in the air fryer.
  3. Bone-In Chicken Pieces: Bone-in chicken stays juicier and gives you that classic fried chicken experience.
  4. All-Purpose Flour: Creates the crispy coating and those crunchy craggy edges everyone loves.
  5. Seasoned Salt: Adds savory fried chicken flavor without needing a giant spice blend.
  6. Egg: Helps the second coating layer stick for extra crunch and crispiness.
  7. Cooking Spray or Oil Spray: Essential for helping the breading crisp and brown properly in the air fryer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the recipe | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 1829mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg