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Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Buttermilk Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Close-up of juicy air fryer fried chicken, showing the crispy coating and moist white meat inside.
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Make classic Southern-style fried chicken with a crispy coating and juicy interior using your air fryer. This recipe cuts down on oil while delivering maximum comfort food flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Cooking spray (oil of choice)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge the chicken pieces completely in the buttermilk mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This step is key for juicy air fryer chicken.
  2. In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. This is your seasoned coating.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not rinse.
  4. Dredge each piece of chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken firmly to create a thick layer. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  6. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which prevents crispy chicken in the air fryer.
  7. Spray the tops of the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray.
  8. Air fry for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. For extra crispiness, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 3 minutes.
  9. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  10. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This is the best air fryer chicken for a quick weeknight dinner.

Notes

  • For the crispiest skin, ensure your buttermilk is cold and your flour coating is pressed on hard.
  • If using chicken breasts, you may need to pound them slightly to an even thickness for consistent cooking time.
  • This recipe works well for chicken tenders or boneless thighs; reduce the cook time by 5-7 minutes for tenders.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/air-fryer-fried-chicken/