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Black Folks Soul Food Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

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
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 6
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Shaunda Necole

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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