Air fryer fried chicken is a healthier and tastier alternative to traditional fried chicken. With the help of an air fryer, you can achieve crispy, golden-brown chicken without using excessive oil. In this article, we’ll go over step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer fried chicken that will satisfy your cravings and impress your family and friends.

This Recipe is split into two parts, the first is for tips, suggestions, instructions, and why an air fryer is the best chicken fryer. and the second part for the recipe card to save or print it. You can jump directly to the air fryer fried chicken recipe from here.

Table of Contents

Tips for air fryer fried chicken and more

How do you make the air fryer fried chicken crispy?

The secret to crispy chicken in the air fryer is combining dry ingredients and oil to create a crunchy coating. Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Then, coat the chicken in a mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, such as paprika, garlic powder, and salt.

Next, lightly spray the coated chicken with oil or use a brush to coat it evenly. This will help the coating to crisp up and turn golden brown in the air fryer. Be sure to preheat the air fryer to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy.

When cooking the chicken in the air fryer, arrange it in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket. This will allow the hot air to circulate around the chicken, ensuring that it cooks evenly and becomes crispy all over.

Finally, be sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure that both sides cook evenly and become crispy.

Tips for the best Air fryer fried chicken

The air fryer is the best chicken fryer ever, if you want to make the best Air Fried Chicken here are some tips for the best air-fried chicken:

Use bone-in chicken: Bone-in chicken pieces, such as thighs, drumsticks, and wings, work best in the air fryer as they retain moisture and flavor better than boneless chicken.
Dry the chicken: Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel before seasoning and coating them. This will help the coating adhere better to the chicken and create a crispier texture.
Season the chicken: Be generous with the seasoning. Use a mix of spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper, to add flavor to the chicken.
Coat the chicken: Dip the seasoned chicken in a mixture of beaten egg and milk, then coat it in a mixture of flour and breadcrumbs. For a healthier option, use almond flour or panko breadcrumbs.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the chicken to ensure even cooking.
Don’t overcrowd the basket: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. Overcrowding can cause the chicken to cook unevenly.
Flip the chicken: Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Let the chicken rest: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure maximum juiciness.