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Air Fryer Fried Chicken Southern Style

air fryer fried chicken southern style - featured image
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A quick and easy southern style fried chicken recipe made in the air fryer for a crispy, juicy, and flavorful meal with less oil and mess.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2–3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml) for soaking (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180 g)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch (30 g)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano (optional)
  • Cooking spray or oil mister

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
  2. Place chicken in a large bowl and pour in 1 cup buttermilk. Stir gently to coat all pieces, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and dried thyme. Whisk thoroughly.
  4. Remove chicken from buttermilk one piece at a time, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even, thick coating. Place coated pieces on a wire rack or plate and let rest for 10 minutes.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
  6. Spray air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, skin side down, without crowding.
  7. Spray tops of chicken with cooking spray. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 12 minutes.
  8. Flip chicken pieces, spray again, and cook for another 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and crust is golden and crispy.
  9. Remove and serve hot.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before soaking to help coating stick. Let coated chicken rest 10 minutes before cooking for thicker crust. Preheat air fryer for best crispiness. Avoid overcrowding basket; cook in batches if needed. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Spray chicken lightly with oil before cooking for golden crust. Adjust cayenne pepper for heat preference or omit for kids. For gluten-free, substitute flour and cornstarch with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use almond milk with apple cider vinegar instead of buttermilk.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer fried chicken, southern fried chicken, crispy chicken, easy fried chicken, air fryer recipes, comfort food, quick dinner

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/air-fryer-fried-chicken-southern-style-5-easy-steps-for-perfect-crispy-chicken/