I always look for meals that feel indulgent but don’t leave me with a pile of dishes or an oily kitchen. This crispy air fryer fried chicken hits all the right notes—golden, crunchy, flavorful, and juicy inside—without the hassle of deep frying. I love how the air fryer transforms simple ingredients into a comforting, homestyle meal that tastes just like classic fried chicken but is lighter and easier to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it gives me that irresistible fried chicken texture without deep-frying. The combination of flour and cornstarch creates a crisp crust, while the buttermilk marinade makes the chicken juicy and flavorful. It’s quick, simple, and perfect for both weeknight dinners and relaxed Sunday meals.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of Ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the chicken:
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
For the coating:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
½ teaspoon pepper
Nonstick cooking spray or oil mist for crisping
Directions
Marinate the chicken: I mix the buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Then I add the chicken, making sure each piece is fully coated. I cover and refrigerate it for at least one hour—overnight if possible—for maximum tenderness and flavor.
Prepare the coating: While the chicken marinates, I whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne in a shallow dish. I remove the chicken from the marinade, let the excess drip off, then coat each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks well.
Preheat the air fryer: I preheat it to 380°F for 3–5 minutes and spray the basket lightly with oil or nonstick spray.
Cook the chicken: I arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, leaving a bit of space between each one. I spray the tops with oil and air fry at 380°F for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again for even crisping. I check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before removing them.
Rest before serving: Once cooked, I let the chicken rest on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute and the coating stays perfectly crispy.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings and takes roughly 10 minutes of prep time plus 25–28 minutes of cooking. If I marinate the chicken overnight, it turns out even better.
Variations
I love switching things up depending on my mood:
Honey Garlic Glaze: I brush on a sweet honey garlic sauce after air frying.
Buffalo Style: I toss the chicken in buffalo sauce and serve it with blue cheese or ranch.
Kid-Friendly: I use chicken tenders and skip the cayenne for a milder version.
Buttermilk Wings: I swap thighs for wings and reduce the cook time to about 20–22 minutes.
Storage/Reheating
Once the chicken cools, I store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to bring back that crispiness. For longer storage, I freeze the cooled pieces, then reheat them straight from frozen at 360°F for about 12–15 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken instead?
Yes, I often use boneless thighs or breasts, but I reduce the cook time to around 16–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
Do I have to marinate the chicken overnight?
No, even one hour in buttermilk makes a big difference. Overnight just adds extra flavor and tenderness.
Why isn’t my chicken crispy?
That usually happens when the air fryer isn’t preheated, the coating isn’t misted with oil, or the basket is overcrowded. I always leave space between pieces and give them a light oil spray for best results.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour and keep the cornstarch for crispiness.
Can I skip the cornstarch?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Cornstarch is what gives the coating that authentic, crunchy fried chicken texture.
Conclusion
This simple air fryer fried chicken delivers all the satisfaction of classic fried chicken without the mess or heaviness of deep frying. I love how easy it is to prepare, how perfectly crispy it turns out, and how versatile the flavors can be. Whether I’m making a quick dinner or hosting a weekend meal, this recipe always feels special—and once I tried it, it became a regular in my kitchen rotation.
This Simple Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe delivers crispy, juicy, golden-brown chicken using minimal oil and no deep frying. Marinated in seasoned buttermilk and coated in a flour-cornstarch blend, it’s a lighter take on a comfort food classic.
Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
½ teaspoon pepper
Nonstick cooking spray or oil mist
Instructions
In a bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne in a shallow dish. Dredge marinated chicken in coating, pressing to adhere.
Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes. Spray basket with oil.
Place chicken in basket in a single layer. Spray tops lightly with oil.
Air fry at 380°F for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again. Ensure internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving for best texture and juiciness.
Notes
Use boneless thighs or breasts for a quicker cook time (16–20 minutes).
Add a honey garlic or buffalo glaze after cooking for extra flavor.
Swap chicken for wings and cook 20–22 minutes for a party snack.
Use gluten-free flour for a GF version (keep cornstarch).
Don’t overcrowd the basket—space ensures crispy results.
