Do you love chicken fried in a crispy coating, but don’t want the extra calories that come with it? Well, have no fear – you can make a delicious and healthy version of this dish using your air fryer! In just a few simple steps, you can create a Southern-style chicken that is perfect for any meal. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
BEST EVER AIR FRYER SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
It's no secret Southerners love fried chicken. Truthfully, the love of breaded and fried pieces of chicken is loved nationwide. That being said, we do know how to do it right here in the South. Most fried chicken recipes are passed down from one generation to the next, especially when it comes to technique. I come from a long line of chicken frying experts yet, each one had something they did slightly differently from the next. The end result was always delicious so, everyone wins.
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
- Cooking spray
TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN
- Air fryers are like any other kitchen appliance, they can vary in performance. Know how your appliance performs and you'll be good to go.
- I'm a firm believer in seasoning and brining the chicken pieces in buttermilk. It's how I was taught to make fried chicken, and it stuck. Preferably using whole fat buttermilk but, low fat will do in a pinch.
- After breading the chicken pieces, allow the breading time to rest and set. It will adhere to the chicken pieces better.
- When spritzing the breaded chicken with oil, It's important to cover every inch of breading. If you don't, those areas tend to get really dark and burn.
- You may line the bottom of the air fryer with parchment to prevent sticking. When doing so, add it just before placing the chicken pieces into the air fryer to prevent them from blowing around.
- You can use either a quality cooking spray or, make your own oil spray using an oil sprayer.
- It's best to cook the chicken in batches, frying similar size pieces together for even cooking.
- When turning the chicken halfway through, spritz again with oil taking care to cover all floured areas.
- See how to make classic Southern fried chicken here.
Directions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix the first 7 ingredients. Place egg in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in egg, then in cracker mixture, patting to help coating adhere. In batches, place chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray.
- Cook 10 minutes. Turn chicken and spritz with cooking spray. Cook until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, 10-20 minutes longer.
AIR-FRYER SOUTHERN-STYLE CHICKEN TIPS
How long should you cook chicken in an air fryer?
How long you should cook chicken in an air fryer really depends on your brand of air fryer and the recipe itself. In our testing, we have found cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we have given wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. Begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed. Most chicken will take about 20-25 min or until it reaches 165F.
Is air fried chicken healthy?
Air-fried chicken isn’t necessarily “healthy,” but it cuts down on calories from fat that would otherwise be used to deep-fry foods, like classic fried chicken. So, with the way air fryers work, the recipes made in them are slimmed down compared to conventionally fried ones, and that’s what a lot of us are looking for these days: to save calories while eating food that tastes great.
Can you air fry frozen chicken?
Putting frozen chicken in the air fryer is safe and doable. Once your chicken is prepped, preheat the air fryer to 360F. Cook for 20-25 min or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Research contributed by Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant
Comments
Post a Comment