Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

Air fryer fried chicken, is just like Grandma used to make… with a twist! You’re going to love this air fryer fried chicken recipe and your family will marvel at your skill! Crispy and moist fried chicken, serve with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans, and you have comfort food extraordinaire!

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

When Grandma made fried chicken is was usually a weekend or special occasion. It was an event for her to make it and we all appreciated the love that went into her homemade food.

But now you can make her recipe right in your air fryer and you’ll find it fast and easy enough to do just about anytime you like! I prefer it these days to deep fried chicken; and a lot less mess to clean up.

To make this recipe even easier and one the kids will rave about, I’ve made it into chicken strips! But you could certainly use the same coating and steps to make traditional bone in, skin on, fried chicken. You will need to adjust the time a bit to allow the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165 F.

Must Have Ingredients for Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

• Chicken Breast Cut into Strips (or you can use chicken tenders)
• Flour (I use all purpose but if you’re gluten free I think almond flour could work as well)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Salt and Pepper
• Paprika
• Cayenne Pepper
• OR you can use my homemade Seasoning Salt Recipe
• Hot Sauce for serving (optional)

Equipment Needed to Prepare Air Fryer Fried Chicken

• Two Medium Sized Mixing Bowls (one for wet and one for dry ingredients)
• Parchment Paper (optional but a lot easier to clean up with it)
• Cooking Oil Spray
• Tongs
• Air Fryer (if you don’t have an an air fryer yet check on my post on the 5 Best Air Fryers!)

With only 15 minutes prep time and 18 minutes cook time, this is a great fast meal where you know all the ingredients!

See the full printable recipe at the bottom of this post.

Steps to Making the Air Fried Chicken

Cut a round of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the air fryer. Just slightly smaller so the air can still move around. Spray generously with cooking spray.

Gather your ingredients.

Whisk eggs and mix the milk in in a medium sized bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and spices together.

Dunk one chicken strip into the egg mixture and then coat it in the flour mixture. Repeat for all strips.

Pre-heat the air fryer for 3 – 5 minutes at 380 F

Place battered chicken pieces in the air fryer basket and spray generously with cooking spray oil.

Cooking chicken at 380 for 10 minutes. Flip chicken tenders, spray with oil and cook at 380 for 8 minutes additional minutes, until the chicken is a deep golden brown.

Note: For crispier chicken tenders, repeat step 3 once per strip. You may need to add an additional egg and milk.

What to Serve with Fried Chicken

I like to serve these air fryer fried chicken strips with mashed potatoes and green beans. If you have time some sweet crispy corn bread muffins are also wonderful.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we have over the years.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

• Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe
• The Best Air Fryer Pork Chops Super Quick
• The Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
• Best Air Fryer Recipes

More Homemade Recipes You’ll Love

• Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
• Copycat In N Out Burger Recipe
• Cast Iron Skillet Bread Recipe
• Homemade Pop Tarts Recipe
• Instant Pot Creamy Brussel Sprouts