Craving crispy fried chicken without deep-frying? This KFC-style air fryer chicken delivers juicy, tender chicken covered in a flavorful, crunchy coating. The air fryer gives the chicken a beautifully crisp exterior while using much less oil than traditional deep-frying.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds chicken pieces, bone-in or boneless
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Crispy Coating

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

For Cooking

• Cooking spray or a small amount of vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Add the chicken and toss until completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
2. Prepare the coating: In another large bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, basil, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.
3. Coat the chicken: Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing the flour onto the chicken to create a thick coating.
4. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
5. Arrange the chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer, leaving space between them so the hot air can circulate. Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil.
6. Air fry: Cook for about 20–25 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through and lightly spraying any dry areas with oil. Cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of chicken pieces.
7. Check for doneness: Continue cooking until the coating is deeply golden and crisp and the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
8. Rest and serve: Let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or fries.

Tips for Extra-Crispy Chicken

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Press the seasoned flour firmly onto the chicken for a thicker, crunchier crust.
• Lightly spraying the coating with oil helps it brown and crisp.
• Turn the chicken halfway through cooking for more even browning.
• For bone-in chicken, allow additional cooking time if needed and always check the internal temperature rather than relying only on the cooking time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This air fryer chicken has the familiar combination of savory herbs, spices, and crunchy coating that makes classic fried chicken so irresistible. It’s a great way to enjoy crispy chicken at home with considerably less oil than traditional deep-frying.