Air fryer fried chicken is easy to make and so good. It’s crispy on the outside and tender and flavorful on the inside. This basic recipe is delicious as is, and it's also a great jumping off point for lots of different variations on Air Fryer Fried Chicken.
Course Air Fryer Recipes
Cuisine American
Keyword air fried chicken, air fryer, air fryer chicken, Air Fryer Fried Chicken, fried chicken
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 15 minutesminutes
Total Time 25 minutesminutes
Calories 407kcal
Author Robin Donovan
Ingredients
1poundboneless chicken or 1 1/2 pounds bone-in chickenthighs, breasts, wings, drumsticks, or a combo
3/4cupall-purpose flour
3/4cupcornstarch or potato starch
2teaspoonskosher saltdivided
1teaspoonpaprika
1 ½teaspoonsblack pepperdivided
2large eggsbeaten
Instructions
Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the pepper.
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, the remaining teaspoon of salt, the remaining teaspoon of pepper, and the paprika.
Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture first, then dunk it into the egg, then dredge again in the flour mixture so that it is completely coated. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
Line the air fryer basket with a perforated parchment paper liner, if using.
Spritz or brush the chicken pieces with oil so that all of the flour is wet.
Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket (on top of the liner) in a single layer (you may have to cook the chicken in 2 batches).
Air fry at 400ºF for 8 minutes.
Flip the chicken pieces over, spritz or brush with more oil, and fry for 7 more minutes at 400ºF.
Notes
You can use all flour or all cornstarch if you prefer. I like the combo because I think it makes for the best combination of crunch and browning.