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Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Crispy, juicy, golden brown and delicious Air Fryer Fried Chicken. This is an easy, less messy version of the classic Southern comfort food.
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Southern
Keyword air fryer, chicken fingers, fried chicken
Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 5 Servings
Calories 339kcal

Ingredients

Chicken Brine Ingredients:

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 quarts cool water
  • 1/2 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons dried summer savory
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic

Chicken Breading Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon summer savory
  • 3/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Combine 1 quart water, 1/2 cup of kosher salt, brown sugar, 3 tablespoons summer savory and garlic powder together in a large pot. Heat over medium heat until salt and sugar dissolve.
  • Pour in remaining quart of cool water. Allow brine to come to room temperature.
  • Place chicken pieces in a gallon size bag. Pour brine over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours but not more than 4. You can also complete this step in a non-reactive bowl with a lid.
  • Rinse and pat dry the chicken
  • Combine breading ingredients together in a bowl, mix well. Dredge chicken in flour mixture to coat completely and shake off any excess.
  • Working in batches, place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray with cooking spray. Cook at 390 degrees for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn chicken and spray any dry spots with more cooking spray.
  • Remove chicken from the air fryer and keep in a warm oven on top of a wire rack while you cook the remaining chicken. Serve hot.

Notes

I usually need to cook this chicken in two batches as I can fit 5 chicken drumsticks per batch in my air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer it may take you more or less. 
At the halfway point when you turn the chicken, make sure that you spray the chicken with more non-stick spray to ensure that there are no dry spots. This will help keep the chicken browned and crispy instead of dry and flour-y. 
Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.1g | Protein: 27.8g | Fat: 5.8g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 11408mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 7.5g