Description
A delicious recipe for crispy KFC-style chicken made effortlessly in the air fryer. This method uses a seasoned flour coating and buttermilk marinade to achieve a flavorful, juicy, and crunchy fried chicken without the need for deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 3 lbs chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or breast, skin-on)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
Flour Coating
- 1 1/2 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 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
For Cooking
- Cooking spray or oil spray
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl or ziplock bag, combine the chicken pieces with the buttermilk and optional hot sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight to enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Flour Coating: In a separate shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix well to create an even seasoning blend.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and allow it to preheat.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk, letting excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure an even and thick coverage.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding or touching to allow for even cooking.
- Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the chicken pieces with cooking spray to promote a crispy texture during cooking.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Cook the chicken in the preheated air fryer for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure doneness.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the coating to crisp up further before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, marinate overnight and ensure the flour coating is well pressed onto the chicken.
- If you prefer less heat, omit the cayenne pepper and hot sauce.
- Cooking times may vary based on the size of chicken pieces and your air fryer model.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking helps the crust crunch up perfectly.
