This crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is flavorful, tender, and easy to make! There is no need for deep frying–just a few simple ingredients, fuss-free steps, and an air fryer make the perfect comfort food.
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken:
- 2 cups buttermilk (480mL)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (a mix of thighs and legs) (900g)
For the Breading:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cooking spray
DIRECTIONS
For the Chicken:
- Combine the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces, seal, shake the bag to stir and coat the chicken well. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, flipping the bag a few times.
For the Breading:
- Mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Remove half of the chicken from the brine and let the excess brine drip off.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and place on a baking sheet.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket and chicken pieces with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken in the basket, skin side down, and spray again.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thicket part of each piece. Remove the chicken from air fryer and place on a wire rack.
- Repeat with the remaining chicken and dredge. Serve immediately.
NOTES
- Allow time to marinate. The buttermilk brine is key to the tender, juicy chicken. Refrigerate the chicken in the brine for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours if you have time.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each piece to ensure even cooking and a crispy finish. You will likely need to cook in at least two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Wipe the basket clean. Thoroughly wipe out the air fryer basket between batches to prevent leftover breading from burning.
- Use a meat thermometer. Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF for safe consumption. Add more cooking time if needed.
