How to Make Delicious Air Fried Chicken in Minutes

Are you tired of the traditional way of cooking chicken? Say hello to air fried chicken! Air frying is a healthier way to cook your food as it uses less oil while still producing crispy and delicious results. It’s a quick and easy cooking method that yields fantastic results every time. So, let’s jump right in and learn how to make air fried chicken.

Firstly, start by marinating your chicken in your desired seasoning for at least an hour. Next, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature. Once it’s ready, lightly spray or brush your chicken with oil on both sides. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result is juicy, well-seasoned and crispy chicken that is healthier than deep-fried chicken. Read on to learn more tips and tricks on how to make air fried chicken.

10 Steps to Make Delicious Air Fried Chicken

Air frying chicken is an easy and healthy way to prepare your favorite fried chicken. It’s a great alternative to deep-frying as it uses much less oil. With an air fryer, you can make crispy chicken with a fraction of the calories and fat compared to traditional fried chicken.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to make perfect air fried chicken. Follow these tips to achieve a crispy and juicy result every time.

Step 1: Choose the Right Cut of Chicken

The type of chicken you use affects the texture and flavor of your air fried chicken. We recommend using boneless, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks for maximum flavor and tenderness. These cuts of chicken are also less likely to dry out during the cooking process compared to chicken breasts.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Seasoning the chicken is the key to giving your air fried chicken an incredible flavor. You can use your favorite mix of herbs and spices for the seasoning. We suggest a combination of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper for a classic taste.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and crisps up perfectly. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended preheating temperature and time.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken with Flour or Breadcrumbs

Coating the chicken with flour or breadcrumbs helps to create a crispy outer layer. You can use regular all-purpose flour or seasoned breadcrumbs for added flavor. Dip each piece of chicken in the flour or breadcrumbs, making sure to coat all sides evenly.

Step 5: Brush the Chicken with Oil

Brushing the chicken with oil helps to promote browning and crisping. Use a neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable or canola oil. Avoid using butter or olive oil as they have low smoke points and can burn easily.

Step 6: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between each piece to allow for even cooking and browning.

Step 7: Set the Cooking Time and Temperature

The cooking time and temperature depend on the size and thickness of the chicken. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended cooking time and temperature. A general rule of thumb is to cook chicken at a temperature of 375°F for 15-20 minutes.

Step 8: Flip the Chicken

After cooking for about 10 minutes, flip the chicken over to ensure that both sides are evenly browned. Use tongs to avoid puncturing the chicken and losing moisture.

Step 9: Check the Internal Temperature

To ensure that the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket, and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

In conclusion, air frying chicken is an easy and healthy option for those who love fried chicken. By following these simple steps, you can achieve a crispy and juicy result every time. Experiment with different seasonings and enjoy guilt-free fried chicken at home.

Ingredients needed for air fried chicken

So, you’ve decided to try your hand at making air-fried chicken. Well, congratulations! You’ve made a great choice. But before you get started, it’s important to stock up on the essential ingredients needed for a tantalizing and mouth-watering air-fried chicken. Here are the top ingredients you’ll need:

1. Chicken

Of course, the star of the show is undoubtedly the chicken. When it comes to air frying chicken, it’s important to choose the right cut. Not all cuts of chicken will cook well in an air fryer. The best cuts for air frying are chicken wings, drumsticks, and boneless chicken thighs. These cuts have enough fat, which is essential to get a crispy exterior.

2. Salt and Pepper

As crazy as it sounds, just salt and pepper can do wonders for bringing out the flavors of your air-fried chicken. Generously season your chicken with salt and pepper before cooking. You can also add some garlic powder and paprika for extra flavor.

3. Flour

To achieve a crispy coating in the air fryer, you’ll need a bit of flour. Simply dip each piece of chicken in some flour before air frying. The flour helps to crisp up the chicken skin and also helps to lock in the moisture.

4. Oil Spray

One of the benefits of air frying is that there’s no need for deep frying in oil. Instead, using some oil spray is a great way to add extra crispiness to your air-fried chicken. Spray some oil over the chicken before cooking to give it that golden brown color.

5. Breadcrumbs

If you want to create an extra crispy coating, you can also use breadcrumbs. Dip each piece of chicken in some breadcrumbs after coating in flour.

6. Buttermilk

If you want an extra moist and tender chicken, consider marinating the chicken in some buttermilk overnight. This will help to tenderize the chicken and also adds a bit of tangy flavor to the chicken.

7. Hot Sauce

For those who love a bit of heat, hot sauce is a perfect addition to air-fried chicken. Simply mix some hot sauce with melted butter and toss the chicken in the sauce after cooking.

8. Honey Mustard Sauce

If you’re looking for a sweet and tangy sauce to go with your chicken, try making some honey mustard sauce. Simply mix some honey, mustard, and mayonnaise together to create a creamy and delicious sauce.

9. BBQ Sauce

For a classic BBQ flavor, add some BBQ sauce to your air-fried chicken. You can either dip your chicken in the sauce after cooking or brush some on before cooking for a more intense flavor.

10. Side dishes

Finally, don’t forget to pair your air-fried chicken with some tasty side dishes. A simple salad, coleslaw or roasted vegetables are a great choice to balance out the meal and add some nutrients to your plate.

How to Season and Cook Air Fried Chicken

Seasoning the Chicken

To make air fried chicken, seasoning is the key. You can use any seasoning of your choice such as paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper, or any spices that you might prefer. Additionally, you can also use marinade, barbecue sauce or hot sauce to add extra flavor. To achieve maximum flavor, sprinkle the desired seasonings generously all over the chicken and let it marinate for at least an hour or overnight in the fridge.

Coating the Chicken

The next step is coating the chicken in flour or breadcrumbs or a combination of both. This step is optional if you want to make a healthier version of air fried chicken. However, for a more crispy and crunchy texture, coating is highly recommended. You can use plain flour or seasoned flour, and for breadcrumbs, use panko for added crunchiness.

After coating, put the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding it. If the basket is crowded, the air won’t circulate evenly, and the chicken won’t be evenly cooked.

Cook Time, Temperature, and Timing

The cooking time and temperature for air fried chicken may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken. Generally, chicken needs to be cooked at 375°F for 20-25 minutes. However, you should use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to make sure it’s cooked thoroughly. The temperature should reach 165°F.

It’s important to note that you can cook other foods simultaneously with the chicken. However, make sure they don’t require different cooking temperatures, or they’ll need to be cooked separately.

Using a timer is also important, so you don’t overcook or undercook the chicken. Plus, it’ll help you keep track of your cooking progress and allow you to do other things while the chicken is cooking.

Using Oil Spraying Technique

In air frying, spraying a mist of oil on the chicken is recommended as it helps the chicken to become more crispy. However, this technique can add more calories to your dish. Therefore, it’s important to use a spray bottle filled with oil to spritz the chicken with a light coating of oil, making sure to cover all the exposed parts of the chicken. It’s best to do this at the beginning of the cooking process to coat the chicken evenly.

Letting the Chicken Rest

Once the cooking is done, remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and place it on a clean, dry plate, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken more juicy. Cutting into the chicken immediately can cause the chicken to dry out, so it’s essential to let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

By following these steps and tips, you can make the perfect crispy and juicy air fried chicken at home. Enjoy!

Time for a finger-lickin’ feast!

Now that you know how to make air fried chicken, it’s time to try it out for yourself. Enjoy delicious, juicy chicken that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your perfect flavor. Thanks for sticking around to read this article. We hope you come back soon for more mouth-watering recipes to try. Happy cooking!