KFC Air Fryer Chicken has the best crispy skin and juicy chicken meat that you'd never expect when coming from an air fryer. Using an air fryer also cuts back on cooking time, making this recipe great for dinner any day of the week.
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This fried chicken copycat recipe is a game-changer for fried chicken lovers. No need to get out your deep fryer and make your kitchen a mess. This KFC style chicken recipe is easy to make and perfect for "quick fried chicken."
Pair this air fryer recipe with a basket of French fries and a side of KFC dipping sauce.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Recipe:
Quick:other than taking the time to marinate overnight, the air fryer chicken takes less than 30 minutes to cook.
Easy:using an air fryer makes this recipe incredibly simple, compared to actually frying your chicken. Air frying takes the worry of having to deep fry your chicken in a pot of hot oil.
Healthy:this recipe is a healthier alternative to eating traditional fried chicken. Eating fried chicken that is cooked in oil adds additional fat and calories that aren't needed to enjoy crispy fried chicken.
Customizable:you can change this recipe up a bit by adding in your own flavors. I like to add in hot sauce for a spicier flavor.
What goes into copycat Air Fryer KFC Chicken Marinade?
Chicken: This recipe calls for about four pieces of bone-in chicken; you can use either drumsticks or chicken thighs.
Buttermilk: the acidity breaks down the proteins in the chicken, which helps tenderize the meat.
Salt & Pepper: is added for just a little flavor to the marinade.
What does KFC use as their chicken breading?
All Purpose Flour: acts as a binder between the buttermilk marinated chicken and the ingredients in the air fryer breading.
Cornstarch: helps with creating the best crispy skin because it absorbs all of the excess moisture.
Seasonings: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, black and white pepper are added to the batter to give it the perfect mixture of smoky, pungent, and savory flavors.
Dried Herbs: thyme and oregano are both added to the mix for an earthy, minty, citrus, and slightly bitter flavor, which pairs well with all the spices.
Optional: you can add in some cayenne pepper if you'd like a little extra spice in your recipe.
Large Eggs: allows the dry seasonings to stick to and bind with the marinated chicken pieces.
Baking Powder: helps with raising the pH of the skin, making the proteins break down, leading to a crunchy, golden brown crust.
Non-Stick Cooking Spray or Olive Oil: is for keeping the chicken from sticking to the air fryer while cooking.
How do I make KFC Air Fryer Chicken?
- Preheat your air fryer.
- In a large bowl, marinate the chicken in the buttermilk, salt, and black pepper mixture in the fridge for 3 hours or overnight.
- When ready, beat the eggs in a shallow bowl until well combined.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, celery salt, black pepper, white pepper, baking powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well to create the seasoning mixture.
- Dredge the chicken pieces of chicken one at a time into the flour mixture then the eggs, then into the flour mixture one more time. Place the piece of chicken onto a baking sheet or large plate and repeat with the remainder of the chicken. Allow the chicken pieces to rest while you preheat your air fryer to 390F.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a little oil to prevent sticking or place a parchment paper piece at the bottom then lay the chicken in a single layer into the air fryer making sure the chicken pieces aren't touching.
- Spray the chicken pieces with a little more cooking spray or brush them with oil to help them brown and crisp up. Air fry for 11 minutes then flip and air fry for another 11 minutes. Check that the internal temperature is 165F with a kitchen thermometer and serve. If it isn't at 165F then air fry for another 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for the best KFC Air Fried Chicken:
Dry your chicken.My number one tip on making the best fried chicken is to pat it dry. Before you marinade your chicken, pat the chicken dry so that the marinade has a better chance of sticking to your chicken. Just remember, wet doesn't stick on wet.
Check the temp.Be sure to check the internal temperature of your chicken while when it comes out of the air fryer. Make sure that it is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit so that it is safe to eat.
Adjust your air fryer.Some air fryers, just like some ovens, can run a little hot. When you're flipping your chicken, I recommend checking the temperature so that you have an idea of how fast your chicken is cooking. Nothing is worse than burnt fried chicken.
How do I store leftover Air Fryer Chicken?
Store.You can store your KFC leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheat.Toss your chicken back into your air fryer or a hot oven.
Freeze.Place your room-temperature chicken into a freezer-safe bag for up to around 6 months.
KFC chicken recipe air fryer
The Best Air Fryer KFC Chicken Copycat Recipe
KFC Air Fryer Chicken has the best crispy skin and juicy chicken meat that you'd never expect when coming from an air fryer. Using an air fryer also cuts back on cooking time, making this recipe great for dinner any day of the week.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 22 minutes mins
Total Time 42 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 353 kcal
Ingredients
Chicken marinade
- 4-6 pieces bone-in chicken pieces such as drumsticks or thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Chicken breading
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika use regular if you don't like smoked paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme dried
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for extra spice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Cooking spray or oil for the air fryer
Instructions
In a large bowl, marinate the chicken in the buttermilk, salt, and black pepper mixture in the fridge for 3 hours or overnight.
4-6 pieces bone-in chicken pieces, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
When ready beat the eggs in a shallow bowl until well combined.
2 large eggs
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, celery salt, black pepper, white pepper, baking powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well to create the seasoning mixture.
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon celery salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoon white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon baking powder
Dredge the chicken pieces one at a time into the flour mixture then the eggs, then into the flour mixture one more time. Place the pieces of chicken onto a baking sheet or large plate and repeat with the remainder of the chicken. Allow the chicken pieces to rest while you preheat your air fryer to 390F.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a little oil to prevent sticking or place a parchment paper piece at the bottom then lay the chicken in a single layer into the air fryer making sure the chicken pieces aren't touching.
Cooking spray or oil
Spray the chicken pieces with a little more cooking spray or brush them with oil to help them brown and crisp up. Air fry for 11 minutes then flip and air fry for another 11 minutes. Check that the internal temperature if 165F with a kitchen thermometer and serve. If it isn't at 165F then air fry for another 4-5 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 42gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 2129mgPotassium: 148mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 712IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 241mgIron: 2mg
Keyword air fryer chicken, air fryer kfc chicken, KFC chicken in the air fryer, KFC chicken recipe air fryer
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