4 Fried Chicken Recipes Using Your Air Fryer

Craving crispy, juicy fried chicken..but maybe overthinking the indulgence? Your air fryer is here to the rescue! These 4 super easy recipes deliver all that you love in fried chicken, with a fraction of the oil. These air fryer chicken creations are quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights – or even a regular day when you just want some crispy chicken.

Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets, Match Cook & Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate & More for Quick, Easy Meals, Grey

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Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Crispy, flavorful, and healthier. These air fryer chicken wings are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish. This recipe delivers the satisfying crunch and juicy interior you crave, all in about 20 minutes of cooking time.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, mix baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
3. Add the wings to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the seasoning mixture.
4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
5. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not overcrowding.
6. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for another 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
7. For extra crispiness, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 2-3 minutes.
8. Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
9. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

This recipe yields crispy, flavorful wings with about 270 calories per serving of 6 wings (compared to approximately 1200 calories for deep-fried wings – wow!).

Learn more about if air fryer chicken wings are healthier than traditional fried wings: Air Fryer Chicken Wings Calories Vs Fried

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Get the juiciest, most flavorful chicken thighs in the air fryer using only a handful of spices in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 small pack of chicken thighs (about 4 total)
• Juice of 1 small lemon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp of cumin (optional, for smokier flavor)
• 1 tsp granulated garlic (garlic powder)
• 1 tsp granulated onion powder
• 1 tsp of dried parsley

Instructions

1. Take the juice of one small lemon and add to it your olive oil and spices. Place the chicken thighs in the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (but no longer than 24 hours).
2. When ready to air fry your chicken, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Once marinated, use tongs to place your frozen chicken thighs into the air fryer basket.
4. Cook your frozen chicken thighs for 23-25 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Bump the heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to make the skin more crispy (about 5 additional minutes).
6. If you decided to leave your chicken in the marinade for longer than 30 minutes, your chicken may have begun to thaw. If your chicken is completely thawed, cook the chicken in the air fryer for only 18 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit before allowing the skin to crisp up for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Full blog: Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Prefer boneless chicken thighs instead? Try the following recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 4 teaspoons oregano
• 1 tablespoon rosemary
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder or granules
• ½ tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (vegetable or canola oil works too)

Directions

1. Before getting started, be sure to rinse your chicken and pat it dry using a paper towel.
2. In a small bowl, mix your smoked paprika, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional), and olive oil together. 
3. Add this marinade to your chicken and rub it in thoroughly. 
4. If you can, place this chicken into the fridge to marinate for at least an hour or so. If you cannot, go ahead and prepare your air fryer. 
5. Place your boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer in a single layer. Be very careful not to overcrowd your pieces. 
6. Air fry your boneless chicken thighs for about 15-18 minutes at 400F.
7. Remove the chicken and test the internal chicken to ensure it has reached 165F. 

Full blog: Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Drumsticks

Here’s a great smokey and savory frozen chicken legs in air fryer recipe your whole family will love!

Ingredients

• 7 frozen chicken legs
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon parsley
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil of your choice

Instructions

1. Remove your chicken legs from the freezer. Deglaze the chicken, if needed, by running them under warm tap water for a few seconds. Set aside.
2. Make the marinade by mixing the smoked paprika, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, salt, and oil.
3. Rub the chicken over with this marinade, making sure that all pieces are fully covered. 
4. Place your marinated chicken in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd your basket; no parts of the chicken should be touching.
5. Set your air fryer to 360 °F/180 °C. Cook the drumsticks for about 15 minutes before flipping them over and cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes. Check the internal temperature (165 °F/74 °C) to make sure the chicken drumsticks are cooked through.
6. Once the proper internal temperature has been achieved, you may add a sauce to your chicken legs and return them to the air fryer at the same temperature for an additional 4-5 minutes. If applying no sauce, skip this step and plate up your chicken. 
7. Sprinkle with additional parsley if desired, for presentation.

Some notes to consider when air frying frozen breaded chicken:

• Set the air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
• Cook for 30-40 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• If not fully cooked, continue air frying.
• After the initial cooking time, check for doneness every 5-10 minutes.
• Always ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked before serving.

Full blog: Frozen Chicken Legs in Air Fryer

Fried Chicken Delights Await Thanks to the Air Fryer!

There you have it, fellow fried chicken enthusiasts! These 4 air fryer recipes prove that you can enjoy your chicken fried without the guilt or mess of traditional deep-frying. If it weren’t already, your air fryer is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen.

Remember, these recipes are just starting points – feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings and sauces to make them your own.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab those chicken pieces, fire up your air fryer, and get ready to indulge in some healthier, equally delicious fried chicken.

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