Gone are the days when deep frying and grilling were the main methods of making chicken. Today, you can now use your air fryer to make crispy and juicy chicken at home. The cooking process is easy and quick. But if you want to marinate it for the best flavor, the cooking process will likely take much longer. To make your cooking process much easier, we have detailed guidelines on how to air fryer fried chicken and get the desired outcome.
How to Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Air frying chicken is easier than many people think. All you need is to gather the ingredients, such as garlic powder, salt, onion powder, hot sauce, buttermilk, vegetable oil, pepper, or other favorite spices. Next, you should cut the chicken into smaller pieces, marinate it with hot sauce and buttermilk, and keep it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours (the longer, the better). Mix seasoning in a bowl and sprinkle the mixture over the marinated chicken. Next, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F for 3 minutes.
Grease the air fryer basket and place the chicken in a single layer, leaving space between the pieces. Air fry for 25 minutes, turning the pieces at the 13-minute mark. When time is up, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part. If it reads 165 degrees F or above, the chicken is ready. If not, cook for additional minutes until they are done. When the chicken is done, serve it with air fried broccoli or any other dish. And that is how to air fryer fried chicken and serve it. So easy, right?
How to Air Fry Southern Fried Chicken?
When air frying southern chicken, you will need paprika, black pepper, onion powder, vegetable oil, sea salt, hot sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, egg, self-rising flour, and buttermilk. The first step is to combine the seasoning in a shallow mixing bowl and coat the chicken pieces with it. In another bowl, mix flour, some spices, and cornstarch. In another separate bowl, break the eggs and add hot sauce, milk, and some water and whisk to mix. Coat the chicken with flour mixture, then dip it into the egg mixture and then in the flour mixture again, but shake off the excess.
Preheat your Yedi Total Package Air Fryer XL (or the model you have) to 380 degrees F and place the chicken pieces in the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. Use the meat thermometer to check for doneness. In addition, sprinkle oil over the chicken to add flavor and make it crunchy on the outside. But you don’t want breaded chicken; you should not use flour and egg mixtures. You should season it with preferred spices and air fry it at 380 degrees F for 25 minutes, and you will love the results.
How Do You Make Fried Chicken Crispy in Air Fryer?
Sprinkling olive oil and evenly spacing the chicken in the air fryer will make it crispy or crunchy on the outside. You should also cook the chicken at 390 degrees F for around 22 to 25 minutes, depending on their thickness. Flip the pieces halfway through so they can cook evenly and crisp up on all sides. If you are reheating frozen fried chicken, you should let it thaw before putting it in a preheated air fryer and air fry it at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes. Flip the pieces at 3 minutes, and they will be crispy.
Is It Ok to Air Fry Raw Chicken?
Yes, it is very ok. You just need to cut the chicken into smaller pieces and season it with salt and other spices. It will take less than 30 minutes to get the chicken ready, and it will be juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. You can even cook a whole chicken in the air fryer, but cook time will be around 1 hour.
Do You Need to Oil Chicken Before Air Frying?
It is not a must, but oiling can help the chicken become crispy and brown. The most important thing is to grease the air fryer basket to prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket. If possible, sprinkle a little vegetable or olive oil over the chicken before cooking and halfway through, and you will see better results.
Should You Boil Chicken Before Air Frying?
No, you don’t have to boil chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. You should cook it raw at 380 degrees F for around 25 minutes. But remember to marinate and season it with the right ingredients to make it taste better than restaurant-bought. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165 degrees F or more when done. When you air fry it that way, you will enjoy all the health benefits of chicken meat.
Final Words
If you have been wondering how to air fryer fried chicken, you have now learned all the tricks and tips. The main secret is to marinate the chicken for as long as possible and season it with preferred spices. Then cook it until it starts to brown and crisp up on the outside. You can rely on the timer to check doneness, but using a meat thermometer is more accurate. Stick to the guidelines; you will make tastier and healthier chicken using your air fryer.
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