Okay, team. Let’s set expectations here, first and foremost. I’m not going to pull your leg and tell you that air fryer fried chicken is exactly the same as cast iron or deep fried chicken. The crust isn’t quite as crispy, and the chicken isn’t quite as obviously juicy. Show
But you know what? It’s pretty darn close! I would say it’s even 90 percent, if not 95 percent there. The crust is crackly and tasty, and as long as you don’t forget about it in your air fryer, it’s still going to be juicy. As with many things in the kitchen, it’s all about tradeoffs, but I think you would be silly to not try this if you have access to an air fryer. I loved the recipe and was surprised by how close it got to my traditional deep-fried version. Watch How to Make Air Fryer Fried ChickenWhy Air Fry?There are two reasons why you might want to make air fried chicken instead of classic fried chicken.
There are some recipes that I don’t think adapt well to the air fryer, but fried chicken works really well. The chicken will come out crispy and browned. It’s definitely worth a try! Nick EvansWhat’s the Best Chicken to Use?For my money and taste buds, nothing beats buying a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself. This way, you get some dark meat and some white meat. I also believe in using skin-on and bone-in chicken, which leads to more flavorful and juicier chicken. That said, my family is not actually a huge fan of the same kind of fried chicken I like. They prefer simple chicken strips, so I did some of those, too, and they work really well. Chicken strips cook faster than bone-in pieces, so you run the risk of overcooking them and drying them out. Be sure to check strips frequently until they’re just cooked through (165° to 170 ̊F in the thickest part). How to Bread ChickenAny traditional fried chicken recipe can probably also be air fried. It should work. The one exception might be if you like a very thick breading on your fried chicken. If you double dip your chicken in flour for the coating, it’s going to be hard to hydrate all that flour in an air fryer, and you’ll almost certainly end up with floury spots that haven’t really cooked. For my air fryer chicken, I like to soak the chicken in buttermilk to give it that classic fried chicken tenderness. Then, I dip it once in very well seasoned all-purpose flour. That provides a nice layer of breading on the chicken, but it isn’t so much flour that it’ll be a problem in the air fryer. No Air Fryer? Pan-Fry Instead!If you don’t have an air fryer, have no fear. People were making fried chicken before air fryers were invented! I prefer to pan-fry my fried chicken in a cast iron skillet if I’m not using an air fryer. You only need enough oil to go about 1 to 1 1/2 inches up a skillet, and then fry the chicken at 350°F for about 8 minutes per side. Check the meat’s temperature to ensure doneness, but the pieces will be golden brown and wonderful! Nick EvansReheating Air Fryer ChickenYou might think that it’s best to pop the air fryer chicken back in the air fryer for a few minutes to reheat it, but I don’t recommend that, actually. You run the risk of burning the exterior of the fried chicken. If you have leftovers and need to reheat them, a 300°F oven is your best friend. Here’s what to do:
Try These Sides With Your Fried Chicken
Alternative Pan Fry Method: If you don’t have access to an air fryer, you can make this fried chicken using a traditional pan fry method. Add enough oil to a cast iron skillet so the oil is about 1 1/2 inches up the side of the skillet. Heat oil until it reaches 350°F. Add chicken pieces and fry for 8 minutes. Flip, and fry for another 8 minutes until golden brown. Test temperature; you might need a few more minutes for the dark meat pieces (thighs and legs). For the chicken
For the coating
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Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included. How long should you cook chicken in air fryer?The amount of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer will vary based on the size of your chicken breasts.. Small Breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes.. Medium Breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes.. Large Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes.. Can I put raw chicken in the air fryer?I like to cook my boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 10 minutes at 380℉, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165℉. Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer? Absolutely!
What temperature should chicken be air fried at?Cook in the air fryer at 360 degrees for 9 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. (Add Brussels sprouts now if using). Cook for another 9 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Does chicken cook faster in air fryer?It takes less time to cook. We're not talking tons less, but quite a bit less, especially for larger pieces. A whole chicken, for instance, can be done in 40 minutes in the air fryer but that same size chicken would be closer to an hour in a regular oven.
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