Air Fried Chicken
Ingredients
4 servings:
2 2/3 lbs whole chickens
4 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup salt
3 1/4 cup flour
1 tbsp starch
1 tbsp smoked paprika powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
Vegetable oil (for coating)
Lemon (for serving)
Instructions
Step 1
Ingredients: 2 2/3 lbs whole chickens | 4 1/4 cups | water | 1/3 cup salt
Utensils: knife | cutting board | poultry shears | liquid measuring cup | bowl (large) | plastic wrap
Break down whole chicken into breast meat, thighs, wings, and drumsticks or use your preferred, store-bought cuts—it’s up to you! Make an easy brine by mixing water and salt in a large measuring cup until salt is mostly dissolved. Place chicken pieces in a large bowl, cover with the brine and use a sheet of plastic wrap to cover the surface of the chicken itself, in order to help submerge everything. Leave for approx. 1 hr. to brine in the fridge.
Step 2
Ingredients: 3 1/4 cups flour | 1 tbsp starch | 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder | 1 tbsp garlic powder |1 tbsp onion powder | 2 tsp salt | 2 cups buttermilk |2 eggs | salt
Utensils: paper towels | 2 bowls (large) | disposable gloves | whisk | 2 baking sheets
Drain chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Now set up the breading station: Add flour, starch, smoked paprika, ground garlic, ground onion powder, and salt to a large bowl. Add buttermilk and eggs to another large bowl and whisk well. Season with salt. Dredge all the chicken pieces first in the flour mixture, then place onto a large baking sheet.
Step 3
Ingredients: 3 1/4 cups flour | 1 tbsp starch | 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder | 1 tbsp garlic powder |1 tbsp onion powder | 2 tsp salt | 2 cups buttermilk |2 eggs | salt
Utensils: paper towels | 2 bowls (large) | disposable gloves | whisk | 2 baking sheets
Next, add approx. 3 tbsp of the buttermilk mixture to the flour, and use a fork or whisk to incorporate it until you have a mixture of fine flour and small chunks. Use one hand to dip chicken in the buttermilk, drip off excess, and use the other hand (this way you end up with less mess on you) to toss through the flour until coated and shaggy-looking—the chunky pieces will become the crispy crust. Return chicken to the baking sheet and let sit for approx. 10 min. for the coating to stick.
Step 4
For the air fryer chicken, heat up the air fryer to 200°C/400°F or to your air-fryer’s recommended heat setting for chicken (if it has one). Cook in batches, according to the size of your air fryer, for approx. 20 min. Halfway through the frying time, flip the chicken pieces and brush with more oil. Place cooked pieces onto a rack.
Step 5
Ingredients: lemon (for serving).
Serve chicken with a dipping sauce of choice (try one part gochujang or sriracha and two parts mayonnaise) and lemon slices. Enjoy!
