Description
A healthier take on KFC-style fried chicken made in the air fryer, featuring a crunchy seasoned crust and juicy meat.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken pieces (legs or breasts; bone-in or boneless)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- Cooking spray (or neutral oil in a mister)
Instructions
- Pour buttermilk into a bowl and add the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne in a shallow bowl or large zip-top bag. Whisk to blend.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing gently so the coating sticks. Shake off excess.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray. Arrange chicken in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer chicken to a wire rack and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crunch, replace 1/4 cup flour with panko or add 2 tbsp cornstarch. Adjust cooking time based on chicken piece size.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American