Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken The Soul Food Way

Southern fried chicken has cemented its place in culinary history due to its distinct flavor profiles and unmatched texture. This dish extends its roots deep into Southern soul food cuisine, showcasing a tradition of comfort, warmth, and how African Americans cook. 

In this guide, I’ll demystify the secrets to cooking delicious Southern fried chicken in the air fryer. I’ll also show you how to confidently recreate the same crispy and flavorful skillet-fried chicken you love, all while enjoying the modern ease and efficiency of an air fryer.

Southern fried chicken in the air fryer 

Today, air fryer cooking is transforming traditional Southern recipes into healthier versions without compromising on texture or taste, even for iconic dishes like Southern fried chicken! 

A healthy alternative to deep-frying, air frying allows you to enjoy your favorite foods without the calories, grease, or guilt. Like the original deep-fried version, the allure of Southern air-fried chicken lies in achieving the perfect balance between a crunchy exterior and a juicy interior— a feat that’s hard to replicate with cooking methods other than frying in hot oil. 

By using my unique double-battering method with cooking oil spray, you can easily achieve a similar crispy chicken exterior while enjoying the same delicious seasoned flavor of traditional Southern fried chicken!

Ingredients 

This is the Southern soul food way of making fried chicken, featuring my signature soulful seasoning blend for the most flavorful dish! The main difference is coating the battered fried chicken with cooking oil spray before air frying.

How to make fried chicken in the air fryer 

Crispy chicken recipes are well-suited for modern appliances, making meal preparation and cleanup easier. This recipe follows the traditional method of coating the chicken in flour. Still, you won’t have to deal with concerns like hot oil popping, oil storage, or extensive cleanup. Instead, the chicken’s crispy exterior is achieved using a precise spray of cooking oil.

1. Prepare the seasonings and the dredging for the chicken using mixing bowls or large resealable bags.
2. Season the chicken by rubbing the blend evenly on each piece.
3. Use my signature three-step dredging method to coat the chicken.
4. Lightly spray the chicken and the air fryer basket with cooking oil. 
5. Air fry the chicken, flipping it halfway through, then serve immediately and enjoy!

Do you need to flip the chicken? 

No matter which chicken pieces you use, flip them halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. This helps maximize taste and flavor.

Avoid these mistakes when making fried chicken in the air fryer 

Don’t worry! It’s actually harder than you think to mess up this simple recipe! However, here are some common mistakes to avoid.

How to prevent soggy chicken 

To achieve perfectly crispy air-fried chicken without it becoming soggy, make sure not to overcrowd the fryer. The pieces can touch, but they should not be stacked on top of each other.

Be cautious not to overcoat the chicken in oil. You want just enough to evenly coat the flour without making the batter too wet or leaving it too dry. Instead, lightly brush or spray the oil (the preferred method) to achieve the crispiest results.

Pro tip: When it’s time to flip the chicken, lightly spray any uncooked white flour spots on the chicken with cooking oil spray.

How to avoid overcooking or undercooking 

Always use already thawed chicken and follow the recommended cooking time and temperature for this tried-and-true recipe. Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and crisp all over.

Reheating fried chicken in the air fryer

You can use the air fryer’s warm setting to reheat this recipe for 5 to 10 minutes, preserving its crunchy texture.

What to serve with Southern fried chicken 

There are many delicious options, but here are a few Southern soul food favorites that pair well with fried chicken, including Southern coleslaw, creamy mashed potatoes, doctored-up canned baked beans, and baked macaroni and cheese.

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken The Soul Food Way

In this guide, I'll demystify the secrets to cooking delicious Southern fried chicken in the air fryer. I'll also show you how to confidently recreate the same crispy and flavorful skillet-fried chicken you love, all while enjoying the modern ease and efficiency of an air fryer!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food

Servings: 6

Calories: 223kcal

Author: Shaunda Necole

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Equipment

• Air fryer

Ingredients

• 6 pieces chicken
• 2 cups all-purpose flour divided
• 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¾ teaspoon red pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning or poultry seasoning
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg
• cooking oil spray vegetable cooking oil spray, avocado oil spray, or peanut oil spray
• ½ cup buttermilk To make buttermilk, combine ½ cup of milk and ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Mix the all-purpose seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
• Rub the seasoning mixture all over each piece of chicken.
• Place 1 cup of the divided flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper in a medium-size mixing bowl or 1-gallon resealable food storage bag.
• Shake (or mix) the sealed bag to combine the ingredients for a homemade poultry seasoning, and set the flour mixture aside.
• Pour the second cup of flour into a second resealable bag (or medium-sized mixing bowl) and set it aside.
• In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg, and set that mixture aside too.
• The chicken will undergo a three-step dredging.
• First, place the chicken in the bag (or bowl) of seasoned flour and shake or toss to coat the chicken evenly.
• Second, shake off the excess flour and dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture.
• Third, transfer the chicken to the last bag (or bowl) of flour and shake or toss until it’s very well coated.
• Remove the chicken pieces from the bag (or bowl) and lightly spray them evenly with a coating of cooking oil.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
• Place the chicken into the air fryer. It’s okay if the chicken pieces touch, but avoid overcrowding or stacking them.
• Air fry at 360 degrees F for a total of 20 minutes.
• Halfway through, after about 10 minutes have passed, flip the chicken over in the air fryer and return to cooking. Pro tip: Lightly spray any uncooked white flour spots on the chicken with cooking oil spray.
• Return the chicken to the air fryer for the remaining 10 minutes, or until it is golden brown and crisp all over. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 615mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

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The Ultimate Soul Food Recipes Guide

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