This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

If you love fried chicken but don’t love the mess, oil, or cost of takeout, this Air Fryer Fried Chicken is the answer! It delivers that crispy, golden coating and juicy chicken everyone craves while using simple ingredients and a lot less oil. Making it perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

A plate of air fryer fried chicken pieces garnished with chopped parsley, accompanied by a small bowl of barbecue sauce. Fresh parsley, salt and pepper shakers, and a checkered cloth napkin are in the background along with a pair of metal tongs.
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Fried Chicken!

A woman with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a burgundy top, smiles at the camera in front of a textured, beige background.

This easy to make fried chicken recipe is our favorite way to enjoy crispy fried chicken. I never liked standing over the stove frying chicken and it definitely wasn’t healthy. Now, thanks to the air fryer, we have a healthier alternative that is just as tasty.

Plus, is is really simple to make. The entire process is quick and simple. Everyone can enjoy fried chicken without the work. We made Air fryer chicken wings the other day and everyone said they were amazing. So, I thought I would try air fryer fried chicken and it definitely did not disappoint.

This air fryer recipe takes a piece of chicken to the next level. The chicken gets crispy, tender and it cooks all the way through. I have used this recipe to make chicken drumsticks, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe and Air Fryer Chicken Breast and both turned out amazing.

Ingredients

Overhead view of raw chicken pieces in a glass container, a bowl of flour, two eggs, a measuring cup with liquid, and several small bowls of spices and seasonings arranged on a light-colored surface. A wooden board holds more spices and seasoning blends—perfect for preparing air fryer fried chicken.
  • Chicken Pieces – Use skin on chicken such as bone-in chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks or chicken breast. You can also use boneless chicken, just reduce cooking time about 3 minutes.
  • Buttermilk – This works best to stick to the chicken
  • Large Eggs – Binds the ingredients
  • Spices – Simples spices is all you need – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned salt, paprika, onion powder
  • All-Purpose Flour – Gives crispy textire
  • Oil for spraying chicken – vegetable, canola oil or olive oil

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make the Best Air Fryer Fried Chicken

A pair of metal tongs with a white napkin beside raw chicken thighs on a wooden cutting board, ready to become delicious air fryer fried chicken. A black and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the left side, and the background is a light-colored surface.

Step 1 – First, wash and dry chicken and set aside.

A glass bowl contains eggs, milk, and seasonings with a whisk resting inside, ready for dipping your air fryer fried chicken. A checkered kitchen towel is placed beside the bowl on a light-colored surface.

Step 2 – In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, salt and pepper until well combined.

A large glass bowl filled with various spices and flour sits on a light gray surface, perfect for prepping air fryer fried chicken. A metal whisk rests against the side of the bowl, and a black-and-white checkered cloth is placed to the left.

Step 3 – In another large bowl, whisk together flour, and seasonings.

Two raw chicken drumsticks, ready to transform into delicious air fryer fried chicken, sit coated in flour and seasoning in a clear glass bowl on a light gray surface. A black-and-white checkered kitchen towel is partially visible to the left of the bowl.

Step 4 – Coat chicken with flour mixture. Next, dredge in buttermilk mixture in a shallow dish. Then repeat in flour mixture.

Two pieces of breaded chicken placed in an air fryer basket, ready for cooking into delicious air fryer fried chicken. A black and white checkered kitchen towel is partially visible to the side of the air fryer on a light gray surface.

Step 5 – Place chicken in air fryer basket, spray basket with oil and leave room around each piece to allow air to flow.

Overhead view of roasted chicken pieces inside an air fryer basket. The air fryer fried chicken appears well-cooked with a golden-brown, crispy finish. A checkered dish towel is partially visible on the left side, set on a light gray surface.

Step 6 – Spray chicken with oil. Cook at 370 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Turn chicken over and spray with more oil. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden.

Step 7 – Repeat with remaining chicken. Serve immediately with Chicken Dipping Sauce.

A plate filled with crispy air fryer fried chicken drumsticks garnished with herbs. Behind the plate are a napkin, a bunch of fresh parsley, and condiment containers labeled oil, vinegar, pepper, and salt. A small bowl filled with sauce is also visible.
Review Pin Print
A plate of golden-brown air fryer fried chicken pieces garnished with chopped parsley, placed on a white surface. A checkered napkin and salt and pepper shakers are visible in the background, alongside a small bowl of dipping sauce and a pair of tongs.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

5 from 8 votes
Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a game changer. Enjoy crispy fried chicken without all of the work or fat. It's delicious and really simple.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 588
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Instructions

  • Wash and dry chicken set aside
  • In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, salt and pepper until well combined
  • In another large bowl, whisk together flour, and seasonings
  • Coat chicken with flour mixture
  • Then dip in buttermilk mixture
  • Then repeat in flour mixture
  • Place chicken in air fryer basket, spray basket with oil and leave room around each piece to allow air to flow
  • Spray chicken with oil
  • Cook at 370 degrees F for 15-20 minutes
  • Turn chicken over and spray with more oil
  • Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden
  • Repeat with remaining chicken
  • Serve immediately
  • Store leftovers in refrigerator in airtight container

Recipe Notes

Cooking times will vary between air fryers so closely monitor your cook time and temperature.
Expert Tips
  • Air Fryer Recommendation – Using a air fryer has been a game changer for my family. We recommend this air fryer but we also have The 5 Best Air Fryer Deals of June 2024.
  • Cooking Chicken – Cooking time will vary depending on the type of chicken you use. We recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure you chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees when it is fully cooked.
  • Work in Batches – You want to place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may have to work in batches for cook the chicken.
Seasoning Variations
Feel free to change the spices when making this air fryer fried chicken. These are some of our favorite additions.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 588kcal, Carbohydrates 57g, Protein 40g, Fat 21g, Saturated Fat 7g, Cholesterol 235mg, Sodium 3226mg, Potassium 639mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 6g, Vitamin A 756IU, Calcium 175mg, Iron 5mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Serving Suggestions

Fried chicken is great with this easy coleslaw recipe, Cornbread, Baked Mac and Cheese and baked beans. Lazy day crockpot baked beans are super easy and a favorite around here. We also like these quick and easy baked beans or Easy Cream Corn Recipe

Traditional potato salad or German potato salad also go great with friend chicken. Add a side of Chicken Dipping Sauce, Raising Cane’s Sauce Recipe or Learn How to Make White Gravy for even more flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Coat Chicken in Oil before Air Frying?

Yes, you will need to coat chicken with oil prior to cooking in the air fryer.

Do Air Fryers Make Food Crispy?

Essentially, the air fryer moves air quickly over food similar to broiling it in an oven that it gives the food a similar tastes to food that has been fried in oil. It is crispy and delicious without all of the oil!
The air fryer doesn’t require a large amount of oil like a traditional fryer requires so foods cooked in the air fryer generally have less calories and less fat than fried foods.

What is the Best Type of Chicken to Use

You will need to cook this recipe with the skin-on chicken. We used chicken legs and thighs but you can also use chicken wings, chicken thighs or chicken breast.

How to Store Leftover Chicken

Leftovers will stay fresh in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. See Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes for ideas on how to use leftovers.

Is Air Fryer Fried Chicken Healthier than Deep Fried?

Yes, it uses significantly less oil while still delivering crispy results.

A crispy air fryer fried chicken drumstick, partially bitten into, is being dipped into a cup of dark barbecue sauce. In the background, there is a bowl with green herbs. The setting is on a light surface, possibly a kitchen counter or table.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe, please leave us a message or a star review.

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

About Carrie Page
5 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Joseph Whitehead says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. Easy to do and taste great.

    Reply
  2. Kim says:

    5 stars
    I followed the recipe as written. Came out GREAT! Was delicious and my husband loved it. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    1. Carrie says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it – thanks for sharing!

      Reply