🍗 KFC-Style Chicken in the Air Fryer

Crispy, golden, juicy, and packed with flavor—this air-fryer chicken gives you that classic fried-chicken crunch without deep-frying!

Serves: 4
Prep: 15 minutes + marinating
Cook: 25–35 minutes
Total: About 3 hours including marinating

🛒 Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 8 chicken drumsticks or mixed chicken pieces
• 1½ cups buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

For the crispy coating:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

For cooking:

• Olive oil or avocado oil spray

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken:
   Place the chicken in a large bowl. Pour over the buttermilk and add salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
2. Prepare the coating:
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, white pepper, baking powder, and cayenne.
3. Coat the chicken:
   Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing the flour onto the chicken to create a craggy coating.
4. For extra crunch:
   Dip the flour-coated chicken briefly back into the buttermilk, then coat it in the flour mixture a second time.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
6. Air fry:
   Lightly spray the air-fryer basket with oil. Arrange the chicken in a single layer without overcrowding. Spray the tops generously with oil.
7. Cook for 25–35 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through and spraying any dry flour spots with a little more oil. Cooking time depends on the size of the pieces.
8. Check for doneness:
   Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. For dark meat, a somewhat higher temperature can give a more tender texture.
9. Rest and serve:
   Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes, then serve hot.

🍯 Optional KFC-Style Dipping Sauce

Mix:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of black pepper

⭐ Tips for Extra-Crispy Chicken

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
• Spray the flour coating well with oil—this helps it brown and crisp.
• Press the coating firmly onto the chicken.
• Turn the chicken halfway through cooking.
• For the crispiest result, serve immediately while hot.

Serves: 4
Prep: 15 minutes + marinating
Cook: 25–35 minutes
Total: About 3 hours including marinating