Description
This irresistible air fryer chicken recipe creates golden, crispy chicken with juicy tenderness using simple ingredients and less oil. Perfect for quick dinners, this healthy fried chicken alternative uses buttermilk, flavorful spices, and your air fryer for that perfect crunch. A must-try chicken recipe for busy weeknights and meal prepping.
Ingredients
8 pieces chicken thighs or drumsticks
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray or oil mister
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, marinate the chicken with buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
2. In a shallow dish, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip, and dredge in the flour mixture.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Spray the chicken lightly with oil.
5. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes.
6. Flip the chicken and cook for another 10–12 minutes until golden and internal temperature is 165°F.
7. Let rest a few minutes before serving to keep it juicy and crisp.
Notes
For best flavor and crunch, use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; cook in batches if needed.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 145mg