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Chicken Dinner Air Fryer
4.4 from 104 votes

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •1/27/23 21 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe is a game changer! I have for you the same crunchy and tangy buttermilk coating you all know and love minus the excess grease. Time to put that air fryer to good use!

fried chicken on a serving platter garnished with parsley
Table of Contents Open
  • Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to make air fryer fried chicken
  • What to serve with fried chicken
  • How to store leftovers
  • Did you like this recipe? Try these:
  • Air Fryer Fried Chicken
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

I have made fried chicken many times before, but many of you have asked me how to make it in an air fryer! I wasn’t sure how it would turn out but let me just say, I was very pleasantly surprised. Let me tell you, it has the same crispy texture we all know and love and it tastes amazing! All that minus the excess oil. Thank you food gods!

Now fried chicken doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure treat. Isn’t that fantastic news? Enjoy this easy recipe any night of the week! It’s great for a summertime picnic, or even a cold winter night snuggled up at home.

Ingredients

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make fried chicken
  • Chicken – Chicken wings, chicken legs, thighs or chicken breast, any part of the chicken will do.
  • Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk available you can substitute 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice plus 1/2 cup milk.
  • Eggs – Large eggs.
  • Paprika – To add a little extra flavor, I prefer to use smoked paprika, but whatever you have in your pantry will do.
  • Hot Sauce – I used sriracha, use your preference!
  • Salt and Pepper – To taste.
  • Baking powder & baking soda – It’s important to use both. This is what will give you the best possible crunch.
  • Flour – I used all-purpose flour.

How to make air fryer fried chicken

process shots showing how to make fried chicken in the air fryer
  1. Prep the Chicken – Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
  2. Prepare the Buttermilk Mixture – To a large bowl add the buttermilk, eggs, paprika, hot sauce, salt, pepper and whisk until combined. Whisk in the baking powder and baking soda. In a shallow dish add the flour.
  3. Dredge the Chicken – First dredge the chicken in flour on all sides, then dip into the buttermilk mixture. Dredge the chicken in flour one more time, then place the chicken on a plate or rack, and repeat with all chicken pieces.
  4. Cook the Chicken – Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, allowing enough room between each piece to flow around. Spray the chicken with a bit of cooking spray or brush with oil. Cook on 375 F for about 20 minutes, flip over, spray with more cooking oil or brush with oil, and cook for another 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken if doing in batches. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer. Serve and enjoy!
overhead shot of air fryer fried chicken in a serving platter

What to serve with fried chicken

Fried chicken is one of those things that I could eat with anything. It’s just so “finger lickin” good, as the Colonel would say. I agree, this fried chicken is so good that whatever you serve with it will work. I have compiled a list of options to serve with your fried chicken to make things easier for all of you!

  • KFC Coleslaw
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad
  • Baked Mac and Cheese
  • Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
  • Mixed Cabbage Apple Coleslaw
  • Easy Potato Salad
frying chicken in an air fryer

How to store leftovers

Leftovers fried chicken will last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Fried chicken leftovers can be tough to keep crisp. It’s all about your reheating method.

To reheat, preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place them on the sheet. Lightly place another sheet of foil over the chicken pieces. Bake for 20 minutes, then let the chicken cool for 5 minutes. Check the chicken for crispiness. Bake for another 5 minutes uncovered if the chicken needs more time.

fried chicken on a serving platter with a chicken drumsticks sitting on top with a bite taken out of it

Did you like this recipe? Try these:

  • Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
  • Best Fried Chicken Sandwich
  • Fried Pickles
  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • Korean Fried Chicken
  • Oven Fried Breaded Chicken Tenders
  • Deep Fried Cauliflower Pieces

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of air fryer fried chicken on a plate
Print
4.37 from 104 votes

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Total 1 hour 15 minutes
Rate Recipe
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe is a game changer! I have for you the same crunchy and tangy buttermilk coating you all know and love minus the excess grease. Time to put that air fryer to good use!
4

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings (chicken legs, thighs or chicken breast)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Prep the Chicken – Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Prepare the Buttermilk Mixture – To a large bowl add the buttermilk, eggs, paprika, hot sauce, salt, pepper and whisk until combined. Whisk in the baking powder and baking soda. In a shallow dish add the flour.
  • Dredge the Chicken – First dredge the chicken in flour on all sides, then dip into the buttermilk mixture. Dredge the chicken in flour one more time, then place the chicken on a plate or rack, and repeat with all chicken pieces.
  • Cook the Chicken – Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, allowing enough room between each piece to flow around. Spray the chicken with a bit of cooking spray or brush with oil. Cook on 375 F for about 20 minutes, flip over, spray with more cooking oil or brush with oil, and cook for another 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken if doing in batches. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.

Equipment

  • Ninja Foodi 8-Quart Multi Cooker

Notes

  1. It took me about 30 minutes to cook the chicken in the air fryer, but each air fryer is different, so read your air fryer’s manual to see how long you should cook it for.
  2. I also only added enough chicken to the air fryer so that it’s in one layer and not stack any chicken pieces on top of each other. This way you’ll get evenly cooked chicken and crispy all around. This means that you might have to do this in batches, depending how big your air fryer is.
  3. The total time is based on 2 batches.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 506kcal (25%)Carbohydrates: 32g (11%)Protein: 33g (66%)Fat: 27g (42%)Saturated Fat: 9g (56%)Cholesterol: 213mg (71%)Sodium: 1282mg (56%)Potassium: 690mg (20%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 777IU (16%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 282mg (28%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of air fryer fried chicken on a plate

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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21 Comments
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Joanne P
Joanne P
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
I tried this recipe tonight on 3 lbs of chicken drumsticks. I fried them in oil in a deep frypan. The coating was so crispy and tasty. I didnt have buttermilk so I used milk with 2 tbsp vinegar mixed in. I will definitely make these again!! Great recipe!!!

0
Reply
Joy Miller
Joy Miller
Posted: 1 year ago

This recipe is a keeper! We LOVED it! Nice and crunchy with plenty of flavor. Thank you!

0
Reply
Judyjk
Judyjk
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
This recipe was a winner. I made it for the first time for company that I had over for dinner. EXCELLENT! I gave my guest a copy of recipe. You’ve got outstanding recipes Jo. Thanks.

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Judyjk
Posted: 1 year ago

Thank you! 🙂

0
Reply
MK
MK
Posted: 2 years ago

3 stars
I used chicken legs. They were crispy, as advertised, but very bland. I think I would marinate them in the milk, hot sauce and seasoning first. Then pat them dry, add the egg baking powder/soda and compete as written.

0
Reply
JoAnne Stefanac
JoAnne Stefanac
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
Wanting to be sure here: you put the baking powder/soda in the WET mixture instead of with the flour?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  JoAnne Stefanac
Posted: 2 years ago

Yes! Baking soda and baking powder in the buttermilk mixture!

0
Reply
Roberta Davisc
Roberta Davisc
Posted: 2 years ago

I made this tonight, and it’s very good. I also had the problem with it sticking to the pan, but I know now to spray the pan before I put the chicken in. I used boneless, skinless chicken. It’s definitely a keeper.

0
Reply
Doreen
Doreen
Posted: 2 years ago

The chicken breasts were so moist it taste like rotisserie chicken
Problem I had is when I went to flip the chicken the breading on bottom stuck to the basket
What did I do wron?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Doreen
Posted: 2 years ago

Make sure you spray the bottom of the basket with some cooking spray, this should help.

1
Reply
DebInTX
DebInTX
Posted: 2 years ago

4 stars
This was good, used 5 plump chicken legs cooked them exactly per recipe in 2 batches. Needs a lot more seasoning, but crisp. I liked them

0
Reply
Donna Valdes
Donna Valdes
Posted: 2 years ago

This recipe sounds terrifc! I am new to the air fryer world. I usually soak my chicken in buttermilk for 4 -12 hours. Can you do so with all the additional ingredients added to the buttermilk or not recomended?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Donna Valdes
Posted: 2 years ago

That would be great! Leave the baking powder and baking soda out until you’re ready to cook.

0
Reply
Kelly Penick
Kelly Penick
Posted: 2 years ago

Question? Are the fried chicken legs ok if frozen or do they have to be thawed for air fryer recipe?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team 2
Jo Cooks Team 2
Reply to  Kelly Penick
Posted: 2 years ago

They should be thawed to avoid any extra moisture!

1
Reply
maggie
maggie
Posted: 2 years ago

Hello just wondering if you have a substitute for the eggs? I am assuming the egg is to help bind it all? I have a egg allergy so looking for ideas that would work instead thanks!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  maggie
Posted: 2 years ago

Here’s a great resource for you to substitute eggs in all different kinds of cooking: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/egg-substitutes

0
Reply
Maria
Maria
Posted: 2 years ago

I am going to use chicken tenders for this recipe , do you think it will still take the time you stated?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Maria
Posted: 2 years ago

We have a recipe for air fryer tenders as well: https://www.jocooks.com/ingredient/poultry/air-fryer-chicken-tenders/

0
Reply
Ken Easterling
Ken Easterling
Posted: 2 years ago

I was hoping this Air Fryer had the Crisper Lid. I’m looking for recipes that use the lid. This would have been a perfect one for it.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Ken Easterling
Posted: 2 years ago

Saw your other comment! This recipe actually uses a Ninja Foodi, which has a crisper lid.

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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