How do you crisp chicken in an air fryer?

After the first “fry” in the air fryer, the chicken pieces might look a little bland and grey, but don't worry! Give them a flip then air fry a second time at 400F for another 8-12 minutes until they are crispy!

What makes Nashville fried chicken different?

It's all about the heat Basically, Nashville hot chicken recipe only calls for pieces of chicken (breast, thighs, legs, or wings) that are marinated, drenched, breaded, fried, and a final touch of spices added at the end, according to Taste of Home. There is not really mild version of the chicken's recipe.

Why is my fried chicken not crispy in the air fryer?

During the air frying process, if you pull out the chicken and notice any dry flour spots on the chicken, spray those spots lightly with oil . The breading will never crisp up if it doesn't have a tiny bit of oil to hydrate it.

What is the secret to keeping fried chicken crispy?

To keep fried chicken crispy once you've prepared it, place it in the oven at an extremely low temperature until you're ready to serve. If you'd like to reheat fried leftover chicken, you just need to heat it in an oven to an extremely high temperature. This will allow the coating to dry while the chicken is warming.

What is the secret to crispy chicken skin?

The dryer the chicken skin, the better it will crisp when cooked. When you unwrap your chicken from the package, pat it dry on all sides (and inside if it's whole) with paper towels. If you have time, pop it in the fridge uncovered overnight or even for an hour and let it dry out further in there.

How do I get crispy results in my air fryer?

Add a Small Amount of Oil and Place in Basket While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer).

Do you flip air fried chicken?

Cook at 360° for 9 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast over and cook for another 9 minutes . Larger chicken breasts need more cook time, and smaller ones need less time. Open the air fryer immediately so it doesn't continue cooking in the heat.

How to get a good crust on chicken?

Dredge raw chicken in flour (your dry), then in egg (your wet), then in another dry (I personally prefer Panko Bread crumbs, but you can do it in flour again, or potato flakes, the choice is absolutely yours.

Is cornstarch or baking soda better for crispy chicken?

When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.) The baking powder reacts with the oil and creates tiny air bubbles, which also helps form a crispy coating.

Why isn't my chicken coming out crispy?

If your oil temp is too high , your fried chicken will be scorched on the outside with meat that is undercooked. If the oil is too cool, your chicken will be greasy and will lack the golden-brown crispy exterior you want.

How does KFC get their chicken so crispy?

KFC deep fries its chicken for 15 minutes and then drains the oil off for another five minutes – 20 minutes in total . If you don't have a deep fryer, heat up plenty of oil in a large saucepan and do it that way.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy Nashville Style (2024)

This Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe tastes just like you went to a restaurant. As an air fryer owner, I have to admit, it’s one of the best tools to own. You can make most recipes that you love but without all that excess oil.

How often do you guys eat fried chicken? Fess up? For us – it’s not that often. That’s why when we do decide to make this dish at home, we want the flavors to be ON POINT!

And I love that when you make friend chicken at home, you can tweak your seasoning just the way you like it. My husband likes it really hot and spicy while my daughter likes a more cajun feel. Sometimes, I tried to meet in the middle. Other times, I make a few batches!

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Nashville Style

This Nashville Air Fryer Chicken recipe truly takes home the cake. Delicious spices topped off with tangy pickles gives you just the right amount of heat and crunch.

When you are in the mood for a perfect homestyle meal and thinking about what to cook in an air fryer, please check out this option! Oh, and if you make it, consider making this citrus coleslaw or my German potato saladas well. Talk about the perfect combo!

If you want a completely different spin on chicken in general but still want that air fryer feel, check out my Ninja Foodi chicken wings recipe.

We live in such a fast-paced society… but nothing beats a homestyle meal, right? Yummy goodness in every bite! Here’s how you can replicate this recipe at home TODAY.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy Nashville Style (3)

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless chicken breast tenders
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp.coarsely ground black pepper
2 tbsp.hot sauce
2 tbsp. pickle juice
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1½ cups buttermilk
1 /2 olive oil
Olive cooking spray

Air Fryer Chicken Sauce

6 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup olive oil

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy Nashville Style (4)

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How do you fry chicken in an air fryer?

So, how do you fry chicken in an air fryer? You need a few hours to work this magic! Be warned!!

This fried chicken recipe for air fryers is not a quick meal that you can throw together right after you come home from work. The problem is BATCHES and you need some time to marinade.

While the Air Fryer makes the cooking process speed up, you still need to marinade! Are you ready to get this party started?

In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, salt, black pepper, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 tablespoon of pickle juice until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.Pour the flour into a bowl.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy Nashville Style (6)

Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and a tablespoon of hot sauce in a separate bowl. To dredge the chicken, place it in the flour toss each piece to evenly coat.

Then place it into the buttermilk mixture, and then back into the flour. Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer. Continue to finish the other tenders. Let air dry for 10 minutes.

Set your Air Fryer to the chicken setting or 380 degrees. Place your tenders in the Air Fryer dish in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes or as your Air Fryer sets on its chicken settings. Continue to cook the Nashville hot chicken air fryer tenders.

Air Fryer fried chicken recipe sauce:

To make the hot spicy sauce, whisk together the spices, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of olive oil until evenly combined. Immediately pour it over the fried chicken tenders. Serve with pickles. Enjoy!

What do you think of this Air Fryer fried chicken recipe? Something you’d like to try out? Do you have another one that’d you like to share? For more recipes, be sure to visit my food section.

Tips ForAir Fryer Fried Chicken:

First of all, make sure you purchase an air fryer that has a good reputation.

You need to take the time to let your chicken air dry while processing. It actually matters.
If you like some heat, be sure to add the spice. Don’t be afraid to add it in!
Single layers cook better. Whenever I make fried chicken breasts in my air fryer, I always spread them out.

If you want to know what Air Fryer I personally own. it is this one. It is HIGHLY rated!! So many 5 star reviews!!

Should I Put Aluminum Foil Inside My Air Fryer?

You don’t need to and honestly, it won’t help with the airflow and main function of the unit. The way an air fryer works is by pushing hot air around whatever is inside the basket. If you add aluminum foil, you might block one of the passageways. It best to avoid this.

Is An Air Fryer Really A Healthier Way To Cook Food?

Listen. This is a fried chicken recipe, right? So, let’s just be honest with one another. This recipe isn’t healthy. A salad is healthy. Grilled chicken is healthy.

BUT, an air fryer helps reduce calories and fat because it enables the cook to add less oil.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy Nashville Style (9)

I’m just being honest with you here. This is a healthier alternative for SURE!! But it is still fried chicken. And grilled chicken is… well, the best option if you are asking about HEALTHY.

Calorically, you are saving – 100%!! SO, there are absolute benefits to using an air fryer and it is the BETTER BET. But grilled chicken is better if you are truly worried about saturated fats and calories.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy Nashville Style (10)

Can I Use PAM in my Air Fryer?

The long-short of this answer is… no.The lower quality oils can actually damage the nonstick coatings on someair fryerbaskets. So, it’s better to avoid using them entirely.

Do you have a special Air Fryer fried chicken recipe that you’d like to share? Link it below. I am always up for a new one to try.

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Chicken and Pepper Fajitas
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Crockpot Chicken and Rice
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