Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken-Crispy, juicy, and totally hassle-free southern comfort food is easier to achieve than you think. This is one of the easiest chicken dishes you can instantly make with minimal preparation. The best part about this is that it’s a healthier version of the iconic fried chicken dish without sacrificing the quality!

I know what you’re thinking, “It’s another air fryer dish!”. Yes, and I regret nothing! Lol!😅 I just love how efficient this appliance is in the kitchen especially in making quick bites. It’s also great in making healthy dishes mainly because it uses little to no oil at all. Perfect for my healthy and active lifestyle.

Flavor-wise, it doesn’t fall far from the original recipe even without the oil. This is important, especially when making southern dishes because everything is about flavor with southern dishes. Today, you’re gonna be in for a treat because of this guilt-free southern comfort food!

 

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

If you’ve tried my Southern Fried Chicken Recipe, you’d know that it’s no ordinary fried chicken. The meat is tender and the flavor seeps into the bone. This is because it is initially lightly tenderized before infusing with the flavor and coating. This helps the flavor latch on to the meat while also making it crispier.

As a general rule in using air fryers, you must never place wet batter in them! The appliance uses hot air to cook the food which can make a big mess or a lot of splatters.

So how does this air fryer chicken recipe works? It absolutely works because we use coating instead of batter.

Coating is mostly mixed dry ingredients such as flour, baking soda, spices, herbs, and sometimes dry zest. Instead of dipping, the dry mix coats the meat. Since the meat has been marinated in buttermilk, which contains lactic acid, the baking soda is activated. This creates the crispy exterior we all love.

Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are similar to the traditional way of cooking the dish except there’s no oil. If you found it easy making it the traditional way, you’ll definitely find this one waaaay easier! Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

Chicken Seasoning

1. Chicken cutlets
2. Salt
3. Hot sauce
4. Crushed garlic
5. Creole seasoning

Air Fryer Chicken Coating

1. All-purpose flour
2. Cornstarch
3. Baking Powder
4. Paprika
5. Salt
6. Garlic Powder
7. Onion Powder
8. Cayenne Pepper
9. White Pepper
10. Herbs (Thyme, Oregano, Parsley)
11. Buttermilk (Check my How to Make Buttermilk HERE)

I suggest trying this recipe out first before making your recipe twists. This way, you’ll have a good reference on how it should taste like.

Common Air fryer Questions

Can you fry the batter in an air fryer?

No! Please do not put the wet batter in the unit as this leads to an entire mess. Since air fryers use hot air convection to cook dishes, wet batters create big splatters around the basket.

Do air fryers work for fried chicken?

Yes, they do. Although, most people use a lower temperature to cook poultry to keep it juicy. Making fried chicken is a healthier way to make this dish as it uses little to no additional oil. You’ll even taste the natural flavors of the chicken meat as it cooks. (Also see my Air Fryer Chicken Legs HERE.)

Can I open the air fryer while cooking on it?

Yes, you can! It’s actually advised that you open the basket halfway through the cooking process. For even cooking, turn the poultry over until you get an even browning on both sides. The latest models will automatically pause once you open the basket.

Serving Suggestions

• The flavor of this dish is basically a little spicy. So, if you’re not into that, these Grits will neutralize any overpowering spiciness.
• Southern Buttermilk Biscuits are also a great pair for this dish. A true southern combo.
• If you need a hefty side dish for this recipe, this Southern Potato Salad pairs well with the spiciness of our dish.
• Pair this savory comfort food with another super comfort food like this Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
• Creamed Corn is another simple side dish to match any overpowering flavors of the chicken.

Storage and Making Ahead Instructions

Because we’re only using dry ingredients, we can make the coating ahead of time. Mix the coating until everything is incorporated and place it in a dry airtight container. This will last for about 6 to 8 months as long as it’s kept away from moisture.

If you want to make the breaded chicken ahead of time, you can do so with simple special preparation. Pat the cutlets dry before adding the coating. This will help completely coat the chicken for better frying and crispiness.

Use a cling wrap or plastic wrap to tightly store the cutlets. These are best used within 3 to 4 days. I suggest making these air fryer southern fried chicken as soon as you can because they’re just so irresistible.

More Chicken Recipes to Try

• Chicken and Waffles
• Chicken Ala King
• Sweet Sticky Spicy Chicken
• Chicken Tostadas
• Chicken Calzone Recipe

 

How to Use Air Fryer for Southern Fried Chicken

Preparing the Chicken

 

Place chicken in a large bowl or large Ziploc. Then seasoned with salt followed by all the crushed garlic, hot sauce, and Creole seasoning. Pour buttermilk in the marinated chicken, transfer the chicken to a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, herbs, and white pepper. Remove all the marinated chicken from the buttermilk. Then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking any excess flour. You may use a Ziploc bag for this process, too.

Double dip the chicken in the remaining buttermilk (add fresh buttermilk as needed) followed by the flour mixture – shake off any excess flour. Place on a lined baking tray until ready to be cooked. Let the chicken rest for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the coating to stay on better. Preheat air fryer – I preheat mine at 400 Degrees/ 204 degrees C for 5 minutes when ready to air fry.

Set your air fryer to 375°F. Lightly grease the metal basket and the chicken on it in a single layer, do not overcrowd. You will have to batch cook the chicken. Spray with cooking spray. Cook chicken for about 15 minutes depending on the size of your chicken. Also, keep in mind that each air fryer cooks differently. Flip halfway through while cooking.

If it is your first time making chicken in the air fryer, check frequently especially the last few minutes of cooking, and adjust according to your desired brownness. Chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 degrees C) and the outside is crispy and golden brown. Remove and serve with salads or any side dish of choice.

 

 

Watch How To Make It

 

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