Air Fryer KFC-Style Chicken Recipe (Home-Style Method)

A crispy and flavorful air fryer chicken recipe inspired by classic KFC-style fried chicken. The chicken is marinated in seasoned buttermilk, coated with a spiced flour mixture, and air fried until golden, crispy, and juicy.

Ingredients

• 1.2 kg whole chicken (cut into 8–10 pieces) or chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, breasts)
• 2 teaspoon butter milk
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon white pepper (optional but recommended
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder (optional)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 teaspoon white pepper
• 1.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
• 1 teaspoon celery salt (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2-3 tablespoon vegetable oil or sunflower oil for air frying

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the chicken pieces completely. Make small cuts in thicker pieces so the marinade can penetrate.
2. Mix buttermilk, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, white pepper, and ginger powder.
3. Add chicken pieces to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
4. Mix all flour coating ingredients together in a large bowl.
5. Add 2–3 tablespoons of marinade into the flour mixture and mix to create small clumps
6. Remove chicken from marinade, allow excess marinade to drip off, and coat each piece thoroughly with the flour mixture.
7. Place coated chicken on a rack or plate and rest for 10–15 minutes.
8. Preheat air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
9. Lightly spray or brush coated chicken pieces with oil.
10. Arrange chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
11. Cook according to piece size:Wings: 18–20 minutesDrumsticks: 22–25 minutesThighs: 22–26 minutesBone-in breasts: 24–28 minutes
12. Flip halfway through cooking and spray with additional oil if needed.
13. Check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
14. Remove chicken and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 350 cal · Carbohydrates: 22 g · Protein: 32 g · Fat: 20 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 2 g · Sodium: 950 mg