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My air fryer fried chicken is just as crispy and juicy as you’d expect, but without all the fuss of deep frying them! Full of delicious texture and flavor, this tastes like KFC!
Love air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer chicken nuggets, air fryer turkey bacon, air fryer chicken wings, and air fryer grilled cheese next.
The beauty of using an air fryer is that it reduces the fat and calories of traditionally calorie-dense foods. I’ve given tons of classics a makeover, but I have to say, fried chicken has been one I’m super proud of.
I come from a KFC-loving family, so recreating it to cut out the oil but keep maximum CRUNCH was quite the mission, but it was one I shamelessly nailed out of the park. My air fryer fried chicken looks and tastes like deep-fried chicken but skips the deep frying.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Easy prep. Dip, coat, and air fry; all of this comes together in minutes! The prep time is minimal.
- Healthier. Traditional fried chicken is loaded with extra fat and calories. In my version, there is a fraction of both.
- Fuss-free. Fried chicken (or any fried food, really) makes quite a mess in the kitchen, but using the air fryer negates all of it completely. Also, the batter doesn’t need any eggs to bind (like my air fryer orange chicken).
- Easy to make ahead. Confession- I love eating fried chicken straight from the fridge, and I promise you, this tastes just as good, and you can even reheat it to maximum crispiness in the air fryer.
- The TEXTURE! Each piece of chicken will be crispy on the outside with tender, juicy meat inside.
Ingredients needed
- Chicken pieces. Get bone-in and skin-on chicken, including a mix of thighs, chicken drumsticks, and breasts. For this recipe, I like to use bone-in and skin-on chicken. The batter works perfectly for any cut of chicken, so use a mix of chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, and chicken breasts.
- Buttermilk. A key ingredient in fried chicken. It helps the batter hold onto the chicken better.
- Spices. Salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
For the breading
- Flour. Either all-purpose flour or wheat flour.
- Cornstarch. Thickens the batter.
- Spices. I’m using a mix of salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Olive Oil spray. For coating the air fryer basket.
How to make air fryer fried chicken
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Marinate. Add spices and buttermilk in a large bowl, along with the chicken. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to thicken.
Step 2: Coat the chicken. Using tongs, remove pieces of the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, moving quickly, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated.
Step 3: Prep the air fryer. Generously spray the chicken with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket.
Step 4- Air fry the chicken. Air fry for 15 minutes, flip the chicken, spray the chicken again with cooking spray, and cook for another 5 minutes. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, it’s ready to serve.
Ideal cooking time
Remember, the cooking time for the chicken varies and depends on which cut of chicken you use and how full your air fryer basket is.
My #1 tip to check when the chicken is cooked is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Ready-to-eat chicken should have an internal temperature of 165F (or 155-160F plus resting time of 5 minutes).
Arman’s recipe tips
- Pat dry the chicken well before coating it with the marinade and breading mixture, as this will ensure it will be extra crispy and juicy.
- Marinate in advance. I’ve tested the chicken marinated for up to 24 hours, which is great if you want to prep it in advance.
- Please don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you can’t comfortably fit all the chicken in, cook them in batches.
- The chicken should be golden brown throughout the cooking process. If you notice light pockets of color, spray a little more oil over it.
- Only add the cornstarch as needed. If there is too much, the coating will be too thick.
- Spice it up! If you love my spicy chicken sandwich or hot honey chicken sandwich, replicate the spice by adding a dash of hot sauce or some cayenne pepper to the batter. Trust me, it reminds me of a KFC zinger burger or spicy southern fried chicken burger.
Storage instructions
To store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze. Put the cooked chicken in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheating. You can reheat fried chicken in the air fryer or a preheated oven. Please do not microwave it, or else the skin will be soggy.
Frequently asked questions
Of course! I like to use a mix because my family all have different preferences (but all love fried chicken…). Use any cut you like, and just make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F before removing it from the air fryer.
More air fryer chicken recipes
- Air fryer chicken breast
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Air fryer chicken tenderloins
- Air fryer whole chicken
- Air fryer chicken patties
- Air fryer chicken parmesan
Air Fryer Fried Chicken (KFC Style!)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skin-on chicken a mix of bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
For the breading
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or as needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180C/350F.
- In a mixing bowl, add the chicken, buttermilk, salt, and pepper, and let it sit for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk the breading mixture together.
- Using tongs, pick up pieces of the chicken and shake off excess buttermilk. Moving quickly, dip the chicken in the breading on both sides.
- Generously spray the air fryer basket. Place a single layer of chicken in it and generously spray it with cooking spray. Air fry the chicken for 15 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, they are ready to be removed from the air fryer. Repeat the process until all the chicken is cooked.
Best air fryer fried chicken recipe EVER!
Unfortunately I dont know where to find buttermilk. Can I use regular one?
Here are some substitutions:
1 tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to measure 1 cup = 1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vinegar + enough milk to measure 1 cup = 1 cup buttermilk
1 cup plain kefir = 1 cup buttermilk
Hi, interesting recipe but I couldn’t do it same. I wonder what is mysterious ingredient pepper?
I know what is black pepper, but pepper I was not sure. Can someone explain? Thank you
Best chicken I’ve ever fixed thank you so much for it !
This recipe made almost restaurant level fried chicken! Great recipe, would recommend.
This is SO juicy and tender!!
Enjoy your air fryed recipes. Easy to make and oh soo good. Thank you
Bro this is next level! Heck the kfc this is healthy AND good!
I’d like to make this and take it camping/eat it cold. Is it still pretty crunchy when eaten cold?
No it won’t be anywhere near as crunchy when eaten cold.
Believe the hype!
Honestly, this is better than KFC minus all the deep fried nonsense!
Thanks, Ariana!
Loved your air fryer fried chicken!!!
Best air fryer fried chicken recipe I’ve ever made!
Will it work if I go skin less on the chicken ?
You may enjoy my air fryer chicken breast instead.
This was AMAZING!!!
Hello,
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe but the ingredients listed are a bit confusing, inconsistent. You note using garlic powder and onion powder but it is not listed in the ingredients for the marinade or dry ingredients. Can you please clarify which spices are used, and what amounts, in the marinade and the dry ingredients? Thank you!
Yes will fix- thanks for bringing to my attention, Mike! It’s 1/2 teaspoon of each for the breading
Why is the marinade pink / orange if you are only using salt, garlic powder, pepper, and buttermilk? I feel like I’m missing ingredients here.
Onion and garlic powder stated as ingredients however thats the only mention. i assume it would be for the breading mix but quantities are not mentioned, still tasted very nice without them.
Sorry Ian- it’s 1/2 teaspoon of each
The chicken came out super juicy and crispy!
This was the BEST air fryer fried chicken recipe ever.
Delicious! Will try to marinate longer for more flavor next time.
Tastes just like KFC. inside meat was juicy. We will make it again.
Delicious, easy, and thoroughly cooked.
Delicious! I just need a better oil sprayer to really get each part of each piece so ot fries all over. I added Buffalo wing seasoning instead of paprika, and my chicken came out crispy, juicy and so yimmy!
How much onion and garlic powder?
1 teaspoon of each 🙂
Amazing! Very tasty. Absolutely exquisite, i enjoyed it very much.
I tried it and my chicken was the best turn out ever. the chicken was very juicy and tasted fresh I will make it again. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
I have never had luck with air frying chicken and I have to say this delivers on flavor and crispness. My son asked “When did you go out and get KFC?” I did add some garlic salt instead of regular salt and a pinch of cayenne. There was a mention of garlic powder in the notes. It was a delicious recipe.
I can’t use any white flour. Will almond flour work?
You can try!
Amy suggestion for using chicken breast or boneless tenders instead of wings, etc?
Try my chicken parmesan recipe but skip the cheese and sauce on top 🙂 https://thebigmansworld.com/air-fryer-chicken-parmesan/