This easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. Of chicken marinated in a simple homemade buttermilk mixture, then coated in a seasoned flour blend before air frying until perfectly golden.
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Crispy Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a classic dish that’s always a fan-favorite, be it with adults or kids. I love it so much, I even have a Fried Chicken Series put together because it’s all so good! So of course I needed to add on this crispy fried chicken made in the air fryer to the mix.
What Is Air Fryer Fried Chicken?
Air fryer fried chicken is chicken (in my case, chicken thighs) that’s marinated then coated in seasoned flour, and cooked in an air fryer instead of fried in oil. The fried coating will not come out exactly the same as with the traditional method of frying in oil, but it’s quite close while also being a healthier option.
For this recipe, I use a flavorful seasoning mixture inspired by my Malaysian Spiced Fried Chicken. It’s an aromatic spice blend made with cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, cayenne, and oregano. But this is more of a suggestion, because you can easily adjust or swap out the seasonings to what you prefer.
Note: The turmeric is my secret ingredient to get that beautiful golden color for the fried chicken crust.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)
- Chicken: I used bone-in chicken thighs. Chicken thighs and other dark meat parts are the preferred cuts to use in the air fryer because it’s juicier and more tender.
Marinade
- Homemade buttermilk: The milk and vinegar in the marinade actually turns into a simple homemade buttermilk. The vinegar helps to acidify the milk which mimics the acidity of buttermilk. It helps to make the chicken tender and keeps it juicy as it’s being air fried.
A great substitute for vinegar is pickle juice, as it gives the acidity needed and also adds an extra tangy flavor. (I like to use it up after making Dill Pickle Pasta Salad). - Hot sauce: Gives flavor and added heat to the marinade.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper.
Seasoned Flour
- Flour: The base of the coating.
- Cornstarch: Helps make the coating lighter and crispier.
- Baking powder: This is what helps to create a more crispy and crackly texture for the chicken when air frying.
- Seasoning spice blend: Cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano.
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken
1. In a large marinade bowl, add all the ingredients together and mix well. Add the chicken and marinade for at least 4 hours or longer (overnight is best).
2. After marinating, mix the seasoned flour ingredients until well combined. Take each piece of chicken and let some of the marinade drop on to the seasoned flour (not too much) before coating the chicken generously with the seasoned flour. Make sure every inch is coated. Place each chicken on a plate and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
3. Grease the air fryer tray or basket generously. Place the chicken (skin side up) on the air fryer tray or in the basket and spray generously with oil. Make sure almost every part of the chicken is coated with oil.
4. Air fry for 10 minutes at 375 F. Flip it and spray generously with the oil. Air fry for another 10 minutes at 375 F. Flip it one last time (skin side up) and air fry for another 3 minutes at 375 F.
5. Serve immediately as it is or with sauce. Enjoy!
Substitutions & Variations
Change the seasonings: The seasonings I used in the flour mixture are inspired by my Malaysian spiced fried chicken, but you can substitute the spices with anything you like.
- More heat: Add chili powder, crushed chili flakes.
- Classic: Keep it simple with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper.
Serve with sauce: Pair the fried chicken with your favorite sauce. Here are some suggestions that you can also try: In-N-Out inspired sauce, Raising Cane’s inspired sauce, Nam Jim Jaew Sauce.
Notes & Tips For Air Fryer Crispy Chicken
- Don’t skip the oil spray: Although air frying uses much less oil than traditional frying, a light coating of oil is important to get the seasoned flour crispy in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: You need to leave some space between the chicken pieces so that there’s room for the hot air to circulate around the chicken. If it’s packed too close, the chicken won’t turn crispy.
Make Ahead & Storage
Make ahead: You can marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, but you can also marinate the it overnight. I recommend air frying it closest to when you’re about to serve to get the crispiest fried chicken.
Storage: Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Crispy Fried Chicken
- In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries
- Air Fried Garlic Potato Wedges
- Cheesy Air Fried Potato Wedges
- Coconut Glazed Corn Ribs
- One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese (Stovetop)
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Air Fryer Fried Chicken (Easy & Crispy)
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in (see notes)
Marinade
- 1 cup milk see notes
- 1 tbsp vinegar or 1/4 cup of pickle juice (see notes)
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Seasoned Flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp oregano
Instructions
- In a large marinade bowl, add all the ingredients together and mix well. Add the chicken and marinade for at least 4 hours or longer (overnight is best).
- After marinating, mix the seasoned flour ingredients until well combined. Take each piece of chicken and let some of the marinade drop on to the seasoned flour (not too much) before coating the chicken generously with the seasoned flour. Make sure every inch is coated. Place each chicken on a plate and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
- Grease the air fryer tray or basket generously. Place the chicken (skin side up) on the air fryer tray or in the basket and spray generously with oil. Make sure almost every part of the chicken is coated with oil.
- Air fry for 10 minutes at 375 F. Flip it and spray generously with the oil. Air fry for another 10 minutes at 375 F. Flip it one last time (skin side up) and air fry for another 3 minutes at 375 F.
- Serve immediately as it is or with sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
More Fried Chicken Recipes
- Crispy Chicken Tenders (Raising Cane’s Inspired)
- Garlic Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Bawang Putih)
- Crispy Thai Chicken Wings
- Soy Garlic Wings (Air Fry/Oven bake)
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (Fried & Air Fryer)
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