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If you’re craving the crispy, juicy goodness of fried chicken but want to skip the mess and excess oil, the Crispy Airfryer Fried Chicken is your solution. With the air fryer, you can achieve that golden, crunchy exterior and tender, juicy interior without deep frying in large amounts of oil. This recipe uses a flavorful seasoning mix and a simple breading technique to deliver an irresistible fried chicken that’s healthier but just as delicious as the traditional version.
Table of Contents
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or any chicken parts you prefer)
1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika for extra flavor)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
For the Breading:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch (this gives extra crispiness)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional, for a herbal note)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon baking powder (helps with extra fluffiness)
1 large egg (for binding)
1 tablespoon water (optional, if the egg needs a bit of thinning)
For Cooking:
Cooking spray (olive oil or vegetable oil)
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (optional, for added crispness)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and ensure they are well-coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will be.
2. Prepare the Breading:
Combine dry ingredients: In a shallow bowl or large plate, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and baking powder. Mix well.
Egg wash: In another bowl, beat the egg and add the tablespoon of water (if needed to thin out the egg wash). The egg will help the breading adhere to the chicken.
Bread the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then coat it generously in the flour mixture. Press down slightly to ensure the breading sticks well. Repeat for all chicken pieces.
3. Air Fry the Chicken:
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
Spray the chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. If you want extra crispiness, lightly coat the chicken with olive oil or melted butter before placing it in the air fryer basket.
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