This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is juicy inside and crispy on the outside. You will love the crunchy coating with Parmesan cheese. It’s a delicious fried chicken dinner made healthier!
I served it with mashed potatoes, creamy coleslaw and sauteed spinach. It was a huge hit!
After the huge success with my chicken nuggets, I wanted to make another chicken recipe. One that you will most likely fry in a lot of oil. Well, forget deep-fat frying! This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk (I am sharing my quick homemade version), then coat in flour, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese breading with spices. The simple bath in buttermilk helps keep the chicken juicy while air frying. The breading is perfectly seasoned and has a hint of toasted cheese. AMAZING!
Ingredients
- chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- buttermilk (or half and half and vinegar)
- flour
- breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
How to make fried chicken in an air fryer?
- Place chicken thighs in a large bowl and add buttermilk. Cover bowl with saran wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours).
- Mix breading ingredients: flour, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and seasoning.
- Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat it to 380 degrees F, for 3 minutes.
- Shake off excess of buttermilk of each chicken pieces and dip in breading mixture.
- Place chicken thighs in air fryer, do not stack. Cook for 25 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature of each chicken piece (see info below), cook for a few more minutes if needed.
How long to cook chicken in the air fryer?
- thighs: set timer to 25 to 28 minutes and cook chicken until internal temperature is at least 180 degrees F.
- breasts: set timer to 23 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Cook until internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
- strips: set timer to 15 to 17 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pieces. Cook until internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
- nuggets:
Can I use frozen chicken?
If you have frozen chicken strips or nuggets, you can cook them in the air fryer as you would in the oven. It is not recommended to use frozen chicken breast or thighs.
Can I stack the chicken?
The air fryer cooks food by circulating the hot air around it so the surface of your food needs to be exposed to the air to be cooked properly. If you want to cook more than 4 pieces, I suggest doing so in batches.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
No, it is not necessary. If you do not want to wait for it to heat up, simply add 3 minutes to cooking time.
More air fryer recipes:
For more recipes like this, browse our Air Fryer category.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
- 4 chicken thighs skin-on, bone-in (see note)
- 1 cup buttermilk see note
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-
Trim chicken of any excess fat. Place in a large bowl. Add buttermilk and make sure all pieces are coated. Cover bowl with saran wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours).
-
In a bowl combine the breading ingredients: flour, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and seasoning.
-
Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F, for 3 minutes.
-
Shake off excess of buttermilk of each chicken pieces and dip in breading mixture. Make sure it is well coated.
-
Place chicken thighs in air fryer, do not stack. Close air fryer, set timer to 25 minutes.
-
Check the internal temperature of each chicken piece (it should be at least 180 degrees F). Cook for a few more minutes if needed.
- You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs, however, they will cook faster. Check their internal temperature after 20 minutes.
- To make homemade buttermilk: combine 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and enough half and half to make 1 cup of liquid. Let sit for a few minutes.
- You can easily double the recipe to make more servings, however, you will have to cook the chicken in batches.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
This recipe was originally published on March 25th, 2019 and updated on March 4th, 2020.
Dia says
Found the recipe this afternoon and decided to give it a try. So glad I did!! I had enough time to actually leave the chicken in the buttermilk in the fridge for 4hrs. I followed the recipe to the t and it turned out awesome. I’ve bookmarked it as i’m sure it’ll be one of my go to recipes!! Thanks for sharing it.
Missy says
Would this work on boneless skinless chicken thighs ?
Sara says
Can I use an egg instead of buttermilk?
Anna says
I recommend using buttermilk.
Kandy says
You didn’t have to spray these with oil or turn them halfway through cooking? Thanks!
Ashlee says
THIS RECIPE IS DELICIOUS. It was one of the easiest dinners I’ve ever made. And so good. My husband went on and on. Keeper for sure.
Anna says
Awesome! I am so glad it was a hit! Thank you for trying my recipe, Ashlee!
Anna says
Hi! Is it possible to do this recipe in a regular oven with the fan on at 210 C? My friend made this in an air fryer and it was amazing but unfortunately we don’t have one yet and so we wanted to try it in a hot hot oven with the convection fan going.
Brenda Allen says
I don’t see why you couldn’t. They both are convection and faster cooking than convention. The difference between counter top convection and an air fryer is that air fryers are smaller; therefore, they can cook the food a Bit faster. Another difference is the air fryer having a basket (a metal wire rack/basket with feet) that promotes air flow. That is no problem since you can put a rack on a low-sided tray. One other thing to keep in mind is that 210C is 410F. I would normally “fry” it at 450F, so you may need to cook higher temp or longer. If you are familiar with a convection oven, you are good to go!
Kelly says
What about turning the chicken over half way through?
Beverly Ann says
Could you use this same recipe for chicken breasts?
Donna says
I would like to know that, too. I do not like thigh meat.
Anna says
Hi Beverly Ann! You sure can! Like I mentioned in the post, the cooking time will be shorter for chicken breast. Let me know how it goes!
lois ann sanders says
Would this recipe work for chicken legs?
StacyF says
Do these get turned over half way through? I noticed on other air fryer recipes the upside needed to be there over to get that crispy “fried” flavor from spraying the inside of fryer so top of chicken won’t be dry?
Teresa says
I just got an air fryer and wanted to try fried chicken in it and I found this recipe. I don’t usually leave reviews but wanted to on this one. This turned out wonderful, I filled the recipe to the T. My husband has had his doubts with my new air fryer purchase but after making this recipe, I won him over! Thanks for sharing, it’s a keeper.
Anna says
Hi Teresa! Awesome! I am so glad the chicken was such a hit! Yay! Thank you so much for trying my recipe!
Erin says
These would disappear in our house!
Toni says
I’d love to give it a try! Looks amazing!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Toni!
Jocelyn says
That looks so simply and delicious. Going to have to try this out over the weekend!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I hope you love it!
Taylor says
This looks SO crispy and delicious! I am drooling!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Taylor!
Karen says
Karenfrankel@outlook.com
Can I use panko bread crumbs eggs and milk. I do not like buttermilk. Thanks
Jade Manning says
Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Jade!
Becky Hardin says
Love fried chicken and loving this recipe using the air fryer! Healthier fried chicken.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
It’s amazing! Thanks, Becky!
Beth Pierce says
Chicken thighs in the Air Fryer sounds amazing! Love this perfectly crisp meal!
Laura Reese says
I am always looking for new chicken recipes. This one looks like a winner.
Jenn says
Omg YES! I for sure need an air fryer now b/c this deliciousness is calling my name!!!!
Natasha says
Can’t believe the crispiness on these without even being fried!! Gotta get me an air fryer!!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Natasha!