Air Fryer Fried Chicken – A Beautiful Mess

Fried chicken is a beloved comfort food that boasts a crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender, juicy interior. Many of my favorite fried chickens have been served in a bucket. 🙂 With the introduction of air fryers, achieving that perfect fried chicken has become healthier and more convenient than ever! If you’re skeptical, trust me, you can make air fryer fried chicken that’s crispy, flavorful, and downright delicious. Find even more air fryer recipes.

Using hot air circulation, air fryers create a crispy outer layer on foods with significantly less oil. This means you can indulge in your favorite fried dishes without excess grease. I also think deep frying at home, while tasty, leaves quite a strong smell in my kitchen afterward. Another reason I love my air fryer!

Related: Next up, learn to make Air Fryer Steak, Air Fryer Salmon, or Air Fryer Chicken Wings.

Ingredients

• Chicken – if frozen, thaw before following the directions below
• Milk
• Egg
• All-purpose flour
• Seasoning salt – I use Lawry’s
• Pepper
• Olive oil cooking spray – other oil cooking sprays can work too

Directions

Prepare by having a shallow bowl with the flour, salt and pepper set out. Also a shallow bowl with the milk and egg whisked together.

Season the outside of the chicken with seasoning salt. Coat the piece in flour mixture. Then coat it in the milk mixture. Then coat once more in the flour mixture.

Once all the pieces of chicken have been breaded, spray the inside of the air fryer with light coating of cooking spray. Place the chicken pieces inside, careful not to crowd the basket. It’s OK if they touch a little, but don’t overcrowd them as you want the hot air of the air fryer to circulate all around the pieces.

Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 15 minutes. Pause the air fryer and flip each piece of chicken. As you do, lightly spray them with the cooking oil. Then cook for an additional 5-8 minutes. The chicken should be 165°F (74°C) on the inside when done, it will also be golden brown and crispy.

Tips for Success

• Legs and thighs are the pieces of chicken I use most often. Other cuts can work well too, but I’ve found breasts aren’t as good with this method. If you use different cuts in one meal, try to use all pieces that weigh similar or else your cook time may need to vary.
• You can add more spices to the flour mix if you like! Try things like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or cayenne for a little heat. This recipe is simple and basic (and good!), but you can season it up more if you like.
• Use chicken with the skin. The skin will hold the breading best. Skinless chicken pieces aren’t great options for this particular recipe.

Serving Suggestions

Get ready to enjoy a guilt-free version of this beloved classic recipe, fried chicken, that will surely become a staple in your home. Enjoy!