Description
Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a game-changing dish that delivers all the crispy, flavorful goodness of traditional fried chicken without the guilt. Enjoy tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a light and crunchy panko breadcrumb mixture. With minimal mess and no greasy splatters, this easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Let the enticing aroma fill your kitchen as you savor each delicious bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Submerge chicken thighs in buttermilk, cover, and let sit for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
- Prepare coating: In a bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge the chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk (do not rinse) and coat evenly with breadcrumb mixture.
- Preheat air fryer: Set to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Air fry the chicken: Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Cook chicken thighs for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Serve hot and enjoy! Allow to rest briefly before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of fried chicken (approximately 125g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, experiment with spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper. Ensure enough space between chicken pieces in the air fryer for optimal crispiness.