Crispy Air Fryer Southern Chicken Unbelievably Easy
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Crispy easy Southern Style Air Fryer Chicken recipe Get unbelievably crispy chicken using a simple air fryer tech Quick dinner solution
Total Time:1 hour 0 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
2 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 tablespoon salt (for marinade)
1 teaspoon black pepper (for marinade)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (for marinade)
1 teaspoon onion powder (for marinade)
1 teaspoon paprika (for marinade)
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon salt (for breading)
1 teaspoon black pepper (for breading)
2 teaspoons garlic powder (for breading)
2 teaspoons onion powder (for breading)
2 teaspoons paprika (for breading)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Cooking spray
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Add the chicken pieces, making sure they are fully submerged in the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
Prepare the Breading Station: In a shallow dish, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Make sure everything is well combined.
Bread the Chicken: Remove a piece of chicken from the buttermilk marinade, letting any excess drip off. Dredge it thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to make sure the breading adheres well. Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Let the breaded chicken rest on the wire rack for about 15-20 minutes.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Air Fry the Chicken: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches. Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Rest and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
