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Ultimate Crispy Buttermilk Air Fryer Fried Chicken – Juicy Inside, Golden Outside

Four pieces of golden brown, crispy air fryer fried chicken arranged on a white plate.
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Make the best air fryer fried chicken that is crispy outside and juicy inside. This recipe uses a buttermilk soak and a seasoned coating to give you Southern-style flavor with significantly less oil. It is a quick, healthy fried chicken alternative perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work best)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to the buttermilk. Mix to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours for best results.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme. This is your best air fryer chicken coating.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not wipe it dry. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken firmly to ensure it adheres well.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  5. Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for air circulation. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  6. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken pieces with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of olive oil for extra browning.
  7. Air fry for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
  8. After flipping, spray the other side lightly with cooking spray. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
  9. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This juicy air fryer chicken is ready for your table.

Notes

  • For extra crispy air fryer fried chicken, spray the chicken again halfway through the second cooking interval.
  • If using chicken breasts, cut them into uniform thickness or pound them slightly so they cook evenly with the thighs and drumsticks.
  • This recipe works well for air fryer chicken wings if you adjust the cooking time to about 15-18 minutes total.

Nutrition

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