Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Fried Chicken is super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with no deep-frying needed! Just crunchy, golden brown goodness loaded with flavor from the spices and buttermilk-ranch marinade! This is a delicious and healthy alternative to fried chicken. With no hot oil to clean up afterward! That is a win-win in my book!

I found several recipes for air fryer fried chicken years ago when they first came out, but none produced the crispy crust that I like. The ones that did turn out crispy were just overcooked, so the inside was dried out. So, I experimented with different batter, temperatures, and cooking times until I found one perfect combo. Then, to make it even more delicious, I added a marinade, so it is extra flavor and the chicken stays juicy on the inside.

With my easy recipe, you get tender, juicy chicken marinated in a slightly spicy buttermilk ranch marinade and seasoned with onion, garlic, ranch, and smoked paprika. The coating is so crispy that everyone will think it was fried in hot oil—except it is not oily or greasy at all! The only oil you need is just a slight spritz to keep the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket.

The air fryer cooks it up crisp in 25 minutes! And you don’t have to worry about draining the grease from the chicken before serving it because there is none. However, you do need to let it rest for at least 10 minutes, so the juices get reabsorbed into the meat. I love pairing this dish with Southern Corn Bread and Crack Mashed Potatoes!

Why you will love this recipe

• It is healthy: No worries about how much oil and grease your kids consume with this chicken because there is none to worry about.
• Easy to make: You don’t have to get out the deep fryer or fill a frying pan with oil and deal with the oil splatters and mess afterward. Just season and toss in the air fryer.
• Done in minutes: Like cooking in oil, this chicken is done in minutes, so you can have it on the table for dinner in less than an hour.
• Full of flavor: The special marinade is what really gives this chicken its great flavor and juiciness. You can even let it marinate overnight so it is ready to go when you are.

What you’ll need to make crispy air fryer fried chicken

Special items:

• Air fryer—I love my Ninja, which has two baskets and cooks fast. But my huge Emeril Lagasse 26-quart fryer is pretty awesome, too. 
• Parchment liner – Lining your air fryer is a must for this recipe. Unless you like to clean.
• Mixing bowls – You will need several different sizes for this recipe.
• Silicone tongs – Any kind will do for flipping the chicken.
• Meat thermometer – To check the temperature of the chicken.
• Spray oil – I prefer olive oil baking spray because it has a lighter flavor and a high smoke point. But you can use what you prefer.

For the marinade:

• Chicken—For this recipe, I used half a chicken, separated into breast, thigh, leg, and wing. I buy mine fresh from the butcher shop the day I plan to make it, so it is very fresh. I do not recommend buying any kind of chicken that has been frozen. The flavor is never as good, and it is not nearly as juicy.
• Ranch dressing—Some people don’t like ranch dressing. If you are one of them, you can use mayo or sour cream instead.
• Buttermilk – Plain milk does not help tenderize the meat like buttermilk does. Buttermilk has a high acid level that breaks down proteins for a tender chicken with extra crispy skin. It also adds a tangy flavor.
• Hot sauce—This is optional, but I feel like it should be in there. If not for the taste, it should be in there because it has vinegar in it that helps tenderize the meat. Just use a mild hot sauce, and it will not be spicy.

For the breading:

• Ranch seasoning—As mentioned above, some people don’t like ranch seasoning. Those who don’t can replace it with whatever seasonings they like. That said, I have a wonderfully easy and delicious ranch seasoning recipe everyone else will love.
• Flour—I prefer all-purpose flour because it does the job well, but you can use whole grain, wheat, or whatever kind of flour you usually use.
• Garlic powder—I would not make fried chicken without garlic powder. The rich kick of garlic is unique and adds so much flavor. Using powder is important because minced garlic will not stick to the chicken.
• Onion powder – Another powder I always use in chicken, onion powder has a nice bite that tastes like a blend of raw and cooked onions.
• Smoked paprika – Adds a smoky and sweet earthy flavor you cannot get from any other spice. If you don’t like smoky food, you can use sweet paprika.
• Cayenne pepper—I prefer my chicken a little bit spicy, but when I cook for the kids, I leave this ingredient out.
• Salt – You need to add some salt to enhance the other ingredients.

How to make crispy air fryer fried chicken?

1. Marinate: If you want to let it marinate for more than eight hours, you can do this the night before. Just mix the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and make sure all the pieces of chicken are fully submerged. Then, cover and put it in the fridge for at least two hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Seasoning: After the chicken is done marinating, make the seasoned breading. Stir all the breading ingredients in a large shallow bowl and set it aside while you prep the air fryer.
3. Preparing the fryer: Now, put a parchment liner in your air fryer basket. Then, remove one piece of chicken from the marinade and put it into the breading bowl. Toss until it is thoroughly coated and shake it off. Continue with the rest of the chicken, placing each piece in the air fryer. Don’t overcrowd the basket. You may have to cook in batches if your air fryer is not extra-large.
4. Air frying the chicken: Then, set the air fryer temp to 390 degrees F and give it a few minutes to heat up. Set the timer for 13 minutes. After the timer goes off, spray the chicken with oil if there are any dry spots. Then, flip each piece and do the same to that side. Then, cook for 12 more minutes.
5. Check, rest, and serve: Before removing the chicken, check the temperature of each piece. It must be 165 degrees F for it to be done. Remove each piece as it gets done and set it on a serving platter. Cover it with foil and let it rest while you finish cooking.

Expert tip

How to get the crispiest chicken

First, make sure you prep the chicken. I recommend marinating it overnight. Then, you have to coat it with the right breading. Flour is the number one ingredient in my breading. In fact, it is the only ingredient besides herbs, spices, and ranch seasoning. Some people like to add cornstarch for extra crunchiness, and you can do that, too. Just add a little bit, though.

Now, cooking your chicken is an art. Air fryers require a lot of space for the heat to circulate to cook the chicken evenly. Make sure there is plenty of room between each piece, and never let them overlap. Another trick is to stop cooking halfway through the cooking time to spray any dry spots with oil and flip them over. Nobody wants to bite into a mouthful of flour.

You also want the breading to stick, so be careful when flipping them over. After they are finished, always let them sit and rest for at least 10 minutes. This not only allows the juices to be reabsorbed by the meat but also helps the coating set.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different cuts: You can use boneless breasts or thighs with or without skin. The skin helps keep the meat juicy.
• More herbs and spices: If you have a spice or herb that you love, you can add it to the breading. My husband loves it when I add dried cilantro and dill, but other ideas like thyme, rosemary, parsley, and oregano would also be delicious.
• Extra spicy: Those who love spicy chicken would enjoy having this chicken with a touch of red pepper flakes or Old Bay extra spicy seasoning.
• Sweet and savory meat: To give your chicken meat a hint of sweetness, add sugar or honey to the marinade. You could also add some to the breading.

Serving suggestions:

There are so many ways to serve this dish. Here are a few that I like.

• All fried chicken tastes awesome with fried okra, smoky baked beans, and collard greens.
• Let your chicken cool and refrigerate to take it to the park for a picnic with a crunchy crack corn salad.
• Coat this fried chicken with white country gravy and add mashed potatoes for a country-style meal.
• If you are a fan of KFC or Popeye’s Chicken, you may want to serve it with some popular side dishes like butter swim biscuits and coleslaw.
• Certain beverages seem to go with fried chicken, like iced tea, white wine, and refreshing beer.
• Serve it with a few dipping sauces, like homemade ranch, BBQ sauce, or Buffalo sauce, and crunchy celery and carrot sticks on the side.
• If you like it simple, serve it with some buttered dinner rolls and sweet potato fries or waffles. Both are always a hit with kids and adults!

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the freshest chicken?

Because most grocers serve their chicken in pre-sealed packages, it can be hard to figure out which is the freshest. The first thing I look at is the color. It should be light pink with white fat. Never buy gray or yellow chicken. There should be no odor coming from the package either. Also, make sure the packaging does not have any holes or rips in it. Finally, ALWAYS check the date. I prefer mine organic, and I always look for a label that says it was raised without antibiotics.

Why is my air fryer fried chicken soggy?

Soggy air-fried chicken is usually caused by overfilling the basket. If you have too much chicken in the basket, the air cannot circulate, leading to soggy areas that are undercooked. Also, do not use any kind of wet batter. Before coating air fryer chicken in breading, shake off the excess marinade. Another reason for soggy chicken is that it may not have been cooked at a high enough temperature.

Should I coat my chicken with oil before air frying?

Because this recipe does not involve deep frying or baking, you do not need any cooking oil. Just use some non-stick spray or extra-virgin olive oil to lightly spritz it. The oil will help heat the breading high enough to make it crispy and keep the chicken from sticking to the basket. You don’t need to soak or coat it in oil, though.

Why does my breading fall off the chicken in the air fryer?

If your chicken is wet or has too much oil, pat it dry before putting it in the basket. Wet batter will fall off your chicken as it cooks. Another issue could be that you used too much flour. Always use the spoon and level method of measuring flour. Too much flour will cause the coating to fall right off, and so will too much handling. Only flip it once, gently. When you take it out, let it rest for at least five minutes.

How long do I cook chicken in the air fryer?

This depends on a few factors. First, on the size and thickness of the meat. Also, every appliance is different, so the cooking time might vary from one to another. Always refer to the food safety guidelines for minimal cooking meat temperatures. But generally, these are the cooking times for medium-sized cuts:

• Chicken thighs – Cooked at 370 degrees F, they will need about 30 minutes. Or, if cooked at 400 degrees F, the cooking time should be about 25 minutes. 
• Chicken tenders – Cook them at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Flip them halfway on the other side. 
• Wings – Air fry them at 400 degrees f for 8 minutes per side, or a total of 16 minutes until crisp and golden brown. 

Can you stack chicken pieces in the air fryer?

I do not recommend stacking the pieces. You need that hot air to come into contact with every inch of the surface to produce a beautiful, crispy crust. Space the pieces out in a single layer and make sure they’re not touching. 

Can you cook frozen chicken in the air fryer?

Yes. Hot air swirls around the food rapidly, which means it reaches all the surfaces to create that super-crispy crust. That process cooks frozen food more efficiently than deep-frying or baking. Cook your chicken pieces up to the point when they are thawed, after that cover in breading and continue to cook.

In addition, you can cook all kinds of frozen food, such as nuggets, hamburgers, pork chops, French fries, and more!

How to store:

• Refrigerate: It can be difficult to keep the crispy chicken in the fridge. Wrap each piece separately in plastic and place them in an airtight container.   
• Freezing: You can freeze it for several months in a freezer bag. Just make sure you wrap them first. 
• Defrost: Be sure to thaw frozen chicken in the fridge overnight for the best taste and texture.
• Reheating: For the crispiest reheated chicken, use the air fryer. It should only take a few minutes per piece. Microwaving it will just make it chewy.   

More delicious chicken recipes:

Recipe tips:

• Since different pieces of chicken have different cook times, be sure to keep the meat thermometer handy.
• Preheating your air fryer is just as important as preheating your oven. Just give it three or four minutes.
• Make sure there is plenty of space for air to circulate around each piece of chicken for even cooking.
• Skin-on chicken is best for this recipe because it helps hold the coating.
• Please read the instructions for your air fryer before spraying it with nonstick oil. Some air fryers do not recommend oil on the basket.