If you’re craving the crispy, golden goodness of fried chicken but want a healthier alternative to deep frying, air fryer fried chicken is the perfect solution. With the air fryer, you can achieve a crunchy, flavorful crust and juicy, tender meat—all without the excess oil. This method uses significantly less oil compared to traditional frying while still delivering that satisfying fried chicken taste.
In this recipe, I’ll guide you through how to make crispy, Southern-style air fryer fried chicken, complete with a buttermilk marinade and a seasoned coating that mimics the texture and flavor of deep-fried chicken.
1. Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2-3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or a mix of drumsticks and thighs)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Buttermilk Marinade
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for a mild kick)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Seasoned Coating
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for added heat)
For Cooking:
- Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken pieces dry. This helps the buttermilk marinade and coating adhere better.
Season the chicken: Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. This ensures the chicken is flavorful throughout.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken in Buttermilk
Mix the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder.
Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken pieces into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or up to overnight. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with flavor.
Step 3: Prepare the Seasoned Coating
Mix the dry ingredients: In a shallow dish or large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until all the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Dredge the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the marinade: Take the chicken out of the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. You want the chicken to be coated but not overly wet.
Coat the chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well. Shake off any excess flour and set the chicken aside on a plate or wire rack.
Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures the chicken starts cooking immediately and helps create a crispy crust.
Step 6: Air Fry the Chicken
Prepare the chicken for air frying: Lightly spray both sides of the coated chicken with olive oil spray or cooking spray. This helps the flour coating crisp up in the air fryer.
Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket: Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook the chicken: Air fry the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through the cooking time. The chicken is done when the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for dark meat or 160°F (71°C) for white meat.
Step 7: Serve
Let the chicken rest: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken tender.
Serve hot: Enjoy your crispy, golden air fryer fried chicken with your favorite sides.
2. Variations and Serving Suggestions
2.1. Flavor Variations
Spicy Fried Chicken: Increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the flour mixture or add extra hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade for a spicier version.
Herb-Infused Fried Chicken: Add dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary to the flour mixture for a fragrant, herb-infused flavor.
Gluten-Free Fried Chicken: Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or a blend of almond flour and cornstarch for a gluten-free option.
2.2. Serving Suggestions
Biscuits: Serve your fried chicken with buttery, flaky biscuits for a classic Southern meal.
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with gravy pair wonderfully with crispy fried chicken.
Coleslaw: A tangy, refreshing coleslaw provides a great contrast to the rich, crispy chicken.
Macaroni and Cheese: A side of cheesy, creamy mac and cheese makes for a comforting and indulgent meal.
This Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken recipe gives you all the crispy, juicy goodness of traditional fried chicken with a fraction of the oil. With a flavorful buttermilk marinade and a seasoned flour coating, this recipe delivers that Southern fried chicken taste you crave—without the guilt.
