best air fryer fried chicken recipe
Introduction
As a food lover and product reviewer, I have been experimenting with various cooking techniques lately, and air frying has caught my attention. Unlike traditional frying methods that require deep-frying in oil, air frying uses hot air and very little oil to cook food. This cooking method has been popular amongst health-conscious individuals who still want to enjoy their favorite indulgent fried treats without the guilt. One dish that certainly tops the list of fried goodies is chicken, and finding the perfect air fryer fried chicken recipe can make all the difference. In this article, I will share my experience of discovering the best air fryer fried chicken recipe and provide insights into the top contenders that I tried.
Criteria for the best air fryer fried chicken recipe
Before I delve into the top contenders, it’s crucial to establish what makes an air fryer fried chicken recipe worth trying. After experimenting with several recipes, here are the essential criteria that I look for in a good air fryer fried chicken recipe:
Crispy exterior
The perfect fried chicken should have a crispy exterior that adds texture and flavor to the dish. Air frying can make it challenging to achieve the same level of crispiness as deep-frying, although using the right technique and ingredients can make a huge difference.
Moist and flavorful interior
The interior of the chicken should be juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Air frying can easily dry out the chicken, so it’s essential to ensure that the meat remains moist while cooking.
Evenly cooked and juicy chicken
No one likes to bite into an undercooked or overcooked piece of chicken. The recipe should ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly, ensuring the meat is moist and juicy.
Simple and easy preparation process
Air frying is often used as a quick and easy alternative to traditional frying, and the recipe should reflect this. The preparation process should be easy to follow and use only a few essential ingredients.
Top contenders for the best air fryer fried chicken recipe
After scouring the internet for the best air fryer fried chicken recipe, Here are my top three picks:
Recipe 1: Classic Southern Fried Chicken
This recipe is a classic and includes using buttermilk to tenderize the chicken before breading it with a mixture of seasoned flour and cornmeal.
Ingredients and preparation:
- 1 lb boneless chicken
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
To prepare the chicken, soak it in the buttermilk mixture for at least two hours. In another bowl, mix together the flour, cornmeal, and all the spices. Once the chicken has marinated, coat it in the flour mixture and set it aside. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and then cook the chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Cooking process and result:
The chicken turned out moist, tender, and well-cooked, with a crispy exterior. The spices gave it a delicious spicy kick, and the buttermilk helped tenderize the meat.
Recipe 2: Crispy Garlic Fried Chicken
This recipe uses garlic as the main flavoring and coated the chicken in a mixture of flour, cornstarch, and cornmeal.
Ingredients and preparation:
- 1 lb boneless chicken
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Season the chicken with salt and pepper before coating it in the flour mixture. Preheat the air fryer for 375°F, and then cook the chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Cooking process and result:
The chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, but the garlic flavor was a bit too overpowering. The crust was crispy, although not as thick as I would have liked.
Recipe 3: Korean Fried Chicken
This recipe has a sweet and spicy flavor and requires marinating the chicken in buttermilk and gochujang sauce before coating and air frying it.
Ingredients and preparation:
- 1 lb boneless chicken
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/3 cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp gochujang sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
Mix together buttermilk, gochujang sauce, honey, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl, then soak the chicken all the ingredients. In another bowl, mix together flour and cornstarch, then coat the chicken in the mixture. Preheat the air fryer for 400°F and then cook the chicken for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Cooking process and result:
The chicken had a crispy crust, and the gochujang sauce added a unique flavor profile. The meat had a good balance of moisture and flavor and cooked well.
Analysis and comparison of the top contenders
Having tried all the top contenders for the best air fryer fried chicken, here is my analysis and comparison of each recipe:
Comparison of exterior crispiness
Recipe 1 had the crispiest exterior, while Recipe 3 had a crispy crust and sticky glaze. Recipe 2 fell short in this category, although it was still crunchy.
Comparison of interior flavor and moisture
Recipe 1 and 3 had moist and well-seasoned meat, with Recipe 1 having the most tender chicken. Recipe 2 was flavorful but was slightly dry.
Comparison of cooking time and ease of preparation
All recipes were relatively simple and easy to follow, although Recipe 3 required additional marinating time. Cooking time varied by recipe, with Recipe 3 having the shortest cooking time of only 15 minutes.
Final verdict on the best air fryer fried chicken recipe
After analyzing and comparing all three recipes, I would have to give the title of the best air fryer fried chicken recipe to Recipe 1: Classic Southern Fried Chicken. The recipe’s crispy exterior, moist and flavorful interior, and ease of preparation make it a winner.
Conclusion
Air fryer fried chicken is an excellent alternative to traditional fried chicken, and finding the perfect recipe is essential. Through my experimentation, I have discovered that the right recipe can make all the difference. Ultimately, the best air fryer fried chicken recipe depends on your preferences, and I encourage you to try different ones and find your go-to recipe. Happy cooking!
List of 10 best air fryer fried chicken recipe
- Now enjoy guilt free food; Air fry with up to 75 percent less fat than traditional frying methods; Tested against hand cut, deep fried French fries
- Wide temperature range: 105 degree Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat
- 4 quart ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 pounds of french fries. Cord length (feet) - 2.6
- The unit will need time to preheat before coming up to temperature. We recommend that you preheat the unit for 3 minutes before adding your ingredients to achieve the best results
- Dehydrate: Create flat, chip like dehydrated foods for fun, homemade snacks pounds; The combination of low fan speed and low temperature enables thorough dehydration
- DIGITAL CRISP CONTROL TECHNOLOGY: Precision-controlled temperature, heat source, and airflow for ultimate versatility and optimum cooking performance.
- 8-IN-1 VERSATILITY: The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm all in one powerful, 1800-watt appliance. The height of the interior of this machine is approximately 3".
- LESS FAT: Eat all of your air fried favorites guilt-free with up to 75% less fat when using the Air Fry function vs. traditional deep frying. Tested against hand-cut, deep fried French Fries.
- FASTER COOKING: Cooks up to 60% faster than a traditional oven on Air Roast; 60-second preheat; full meals in as little as 20 minutes.
- LARGE CAPACITY: 45% larger usable pan cooking area vs. the flat surface area of the Cuisinart toa-60 and toa-65 pan. Fits a 13" Pizza, up to 9 slices of toast, or 6 chicken breasts (6–8 oz. each).
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake and reheat
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- FAST PREHEATING: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! Create gourmet meals with the versatility of a temperature range of 95 to 400° F.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: Non-stick, dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake and reheat
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- FAST PREHEATING: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! Create gourmet meals with the versatility of a temperature range of 95 to 400° F.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: Non-stick, dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate
- WATCH YOUR FOOD COOK: ClearCook window and internal light to easily monitor cooking progress without opening the basket
- ODOR ERASE TECHNOLOGY: Built-in, replaceable air filters remove odors during cooking to reduce lingering cooking smells.
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- MORE THAN 12-IN-1: 12 functions for Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, etc. Explore more possibilities by saving your preferred time and temperature
- FULLY MEET FAMILY NEEDS: 2-layer even cooking, The oven’s 26 quart / 25-liter capacity 1 layer fits up to 6 slices of bread, a 12-inch pizza, or a 5lbs whole chicken
- ENJOY MEALS IN MINUTES: 6 heat elements, a 2-speed fan, and temperatures up to 450°F allow cooking up to 30% faster than a traditional convection oven
- COOK SMARTER: Just pick up your smartphone and tap the VeSync app to make meals at the touch of a button, or enjoy hands-free control of your toast oven by connecting to the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 1 x wire rack, 1 x food tray, 1 x fry basket, 1 x user manual, 1 x recipe book（30 chef-made recipes, more on the VeSync app). Search B0B92TPHTV,B0B93CMST3, B0B8ZNVRX3 for accessories
- 4-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, broil, roast and reheat.
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- FAST PREHEATING: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! Create gourmet meals with the versatility of a temperature range of 120 to 400° F.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: Non-stick, dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray.
- XL CAPACITY: With the 5.5 qt. nonstick basket and crisper plate, you can save time by cooking up to 3 lbs. of French fries or wings with ease.
- 5-IN-1 VERSATILE FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 5 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. BPA free: Yes
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- EASY CLEANING: Both the basket and crisper plate are nonstick, easy-to-clean and dishwasher safe.
- WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 105°F to 400°F allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat.
- HEALTHY FRYING: Achieve perfect fried results with little or even no oil! Temperature range from 200°F - 400°F allows you to cook at your desired temperature, achieving a healthy, crispy, fried finish using at least 98% less oil than traditional fryers.
- SPACE SAVING COMPACT SIZE: The personal size air fryer saves space on your counter and in your cabinet; perfect for any small kitchen, dorm, office, RV trips, and more!
- VERSATILITY: Manual temperature control & 60-minute integrated timer lets you air-fry everything from frozen veggies, chicken & even reheat yesterday's dessert! The detachable BPA-Free basket, cool touch exterior, & auto-shutoff ensures added safety & security.
- EASY CLEAN: The Black basket and tray are removable and top rack dishwasher safe, so your meal is as easy to clean as it is healthy and delicious. Basket is nonstick, so no cooking spray is required!
- RESOURCES: cETL approved with advanced safety technology for long lasting durability, & 1-year warranty provided by Chefman, so you can purchase worry-free - we've got your back! For information on how to use your product, scroll down for a PDF User Guide. – RJ38-2LM
- MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON-THE-FLY – Want hotter temperature or need to cook it longer? No problem. Simply adjust on-the-fly. Starting the cooking process over is not necessary. Brio’s intuitive digital controls are easy to operate, and the response is immediate. Brio’s cool white display is easy-to-read in any light or no light.
- HEALTHY FRIED FOOD & EASY CLEANUP - Brio uses super-heated air and an efficient air-flow design to cook crispy delicious fried foods without the guilt. No more messy oil, added fats, or calories. Brio allows you to air fry all your favorites - even from frozen, without defrosting. The ultra-non-stick air circulation riser is great for grilling and air frying. The premium stainless steel reversible rack allows for multi-layer cooking. All are dishwasher safe, and the cleanup is a breeze.
- 100 PRE-PROGRAMMED MENU PRESETS AND CONVENIENCES BUILT-IN – Brio is programmed with 100 pre-programmed menu presets for grilling, air frying, baking, broiling, roasting, dehydrating, reheating, defrosting, toasting and more. It also has additional 50 memory slots where you can save and recall your own favorite recipes. It’s the perfect combination of capacity and versatility. Perfect for busy households on the go!
- LINEAR THERMAL (LINEAR T) TECHNOLOGY – Fine tune your own temperature settings from 50 degree to 400degree in precise 5degree increments. Patented Linear T Technology executes the set temperature accurately throughout the entire cooking process by continuously monitoring temperature fluctuations and making constant power adjustments every second to maintain the set temperature to ensure perfect results. Unlike the primitive methods of turning the heater on and off
- CHEF INSPIRED FEATURES, FUNCTIONS & RECIPES – Every feature and function of NUWAVE cooking products are created and rigorously tested by highly trained NUWAVE chefs and RD team. We obsessed over every detail in pursuit of best taste and performance. Get inspired and confidently create your own masterpieces. Brio is engineered to outperform your expectations. Whether you are cooking an appetizer, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, we have the perfect chef inspired recipe for you.
People also ask
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in crispy and evenly cooked dishes without the need for excessive oil or deep-frying.
Why use an air fryer to make fried chicken?
An air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it requires minimal oil and still produces crispy and delicious results. It also cooks the chicken evenly, ensuring a juicy and tender inside.
What ingredients do I need to make air fryer fried chicken?
You will need chicken pieces, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, buttermilk, and cooking spray.
How do I make air fryer fried chicken?
First, mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl. Dip the chicken pieces in buttermilk, then coat them in the flour mixture. Place the chicken in the air fryer, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What temperature should I cook the chicken at?
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the chicken at the same temperature.
How long should I cook the chicken for?
Cook the chicken for 25-30 minutes until it is golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
Can I use different seasonings?
Yes, feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your preferences. You can add cayenne pepper for some heat or use Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile.
What type of chicken pieces should I use?
You can use any type of chicken pieces, such as drumsticks, wings, thighs, or breasts. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as larger pieces will take longer to cook.
Can I cook other dishes in the air fryer?
Yes, you can use the air fryer to cook a variety of dishes, such as vegetables, fish, and even desserts. Be sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.