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 this chicken with mashed potatoes, creamy coleslaw and sauteed spinach. It was a huge hit!
AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN
After the huge success with my Air Fryer 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!
How to make Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer?
- 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 (see info below), cook for a few more minutes if needed.
How long do you cook chicken in an 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 cook frozen chicken in an Air Fryer?
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 in an Air Fryer?
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 Recipes:
Garlic and Herb Chicken and Potatoes
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.
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 | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These would disappear in our house!
Toni | Boulder Locavore 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!
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!