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This air fryer fried chicken recipe delivers crispy, golden-brown chicken without the need for any oil! Sounds perfect, right? Using an air fryer cuts down on fat while keeping all the flavor and crunch of traditional fried chicken.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

This air fryer fried chicken recipe delivers crispy, golden-brown chicken without the need for any oil! Sounds perfect, right? Using an air fryer cuts down on fat while keeping all the flavor and crunch of traditional fried chicken. Perfect for a lighter meal, I love to pair it with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a fresh salad for a complete dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Air fryer
• 2 Mixing bowls
• 1 Tongs
• 1 Wire rack (optional, for cooling)
• 1 Meat thermometer (optional, to check doneness)

Ingredients

  

• 4 chicken thighs or drumsticks bone-in, skin-on
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• Cooking spray (for air fryer basket)

Instructions

 

• Preheat the Air Fryer:Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
  
• Prepare the Coating:In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt.
  
• Make the Egg Wash:In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water to create the egg wash.
  
• Coat the Chicken:Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. Dip each piece into the flour mixture, shake off excess, then dip into the egg wash, and finally back into the flour mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken to ensure it sticks well. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, making sure there is space between the pieces for even cooking.
  
• Cook the Chicken:Air fry the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use tongs to turn the chicken to ensure both sides get crispy. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  
• Cool and Serve:Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. This helps the chicken stay crispy.
  

Video

Notes

If you have leftovers (which might be a big "if" considering how tasty this is), they store beautifully! Let the chicken cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating

To keep that crispy exterior, reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. It’ll come out almost as good as when you first made it. Avoid using the microwave as it can make the chicken soggy.

Keyword Air-fried, Air-fried Chicken, Chicken, Easy MEal, Main Course

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

In Summary

Air fryer fried chicken hits all the right notes—crispy, flavorful, and tender—without any of the guilt or greasy mess that comes with traditional frying. Plus, it’s so easy! If you’re craving that deep-fried crunch but want to keep things on the lighter side, air fryer fried chicken is a total game-changer.

Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out. Your taste buds (and waistline) will be more than thankful!