Olivia Carter
Are you craving tender and juicy fried chicken strips, but want a healthier alternative to deep frying? Look no further than your trusty air fryer! With its hot air circulation and minimal oil usage, the air fryer can create crispy and delicious chicken strips without the excess grease. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd, this easy recipe will satisfy your fried chicken cravings.
First, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, all-purpose flour, bread crumbs, eggs, and your choice of seasonings. You can customize the seasonings to your taste, whether you prefer a spicy kick or a classic blend of herbs and spices. Preparing the chicken strips is as simple as cutting the chicken breasts into strips and seasoning them with salt and pepper.
Next, you’ll need to set up your breading station. In one bowl, beat the eggs until they’re well mixed. In another bowl, combine the flour, bread crumbs, and your chosen seasonings. This will be your flour mixture. Dip each seasoned chicken strip into the beaten eggs, ensuring that it’s coated evenly. Then, roll the chicken strip in the flour mixture, pressing it gently to adhere the breading. Repeat this process until all the chicken strips are coated.
Now it’s time to turn on your air fryer. Preheat it to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes. Once preheated, arrange the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there’s enough space between the strips for the hot air to circulate and cook them evenly. Cook the chicken strips in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken strips, so keep an eye on them to avoid over- or undercooking.
When the chicken strips are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or barbecue sauce, and enjoy the guilt-free pleasure of crispy fried chicken strips. With this simple and healthy recipe, you can satisfy your cravings in no time!
Preparation for Air Fried Chicken Strips
Before you begin making air-fried chicken strips, it is important to gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment. Here is a list of the things you will need:
| Ingredients: | Equipment: |
| 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders | Air fryer |
| 1 cup all-purpose flour | Kitchen tongs |
| 1 tablespoon paprika | Meat thermometer |
| 1 teaspoon garlic powder | Wire rack |
| 1 teaspoon onion powder | Baking sheet |
| 1 teaspoon salt | Large mixing bowl |
| 1/2 teaspoon black pepper | Whisk |
| 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme | Plastic wrap |
| 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano | Sharp knife |
| 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) | |
| 1/4 teaspoon baking powder | |
| 1/4 cup buttermilk or milk | |
| 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional) | |
| Vegetable oil spray |
Once you have gathered all the ingredients and equipment, you can proceed with the next steps to prepare your air-fried chicken strips.
Preparing the Chicken
Before you can start making delicious fried chicken strips in an air fryer, you need to prepare the chicken properly. Follow these steps to ensure your chicken turns out crispy and flavorful:
- Start by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin strips. You can also use chicken tenders if desired.
- In a bowl, mix together your favorite seasonings for the chicken. Common options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried herbs.
- Coat the chicken strips in the seasoning mixture, making sure to evenly distribute the spices.
- Next, you’ll need to create a coating for the chicken strips. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, breadcrumbs, and any additional seasonings you prefer.
- Dip each seasoned chicken strip into the coating mixture, pressing it gently to ensure the breading sticks to the chicken.
- Place the coated chicken strips on a plate or baking sheet, and let them sit for a few minutes to allow the breading to set.
Once you’ve finished preparing the chicken, you’ll be ready to cook it in your air fryer. Just follow the cooking instructions for your specific model, and enjoy your crispy, healthier version of fried chicken strips!
Gathering the Ingredients
Before you begin making fried chicken strips in an air fryer, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, for some added heat)
- Cooking spray
Make sure to check your pantry and refrigerator to ensure you have all the ingredients on hand. If you’re missing anything, make a note to pick it up before you start cooking.
Marinating the Chicken
To ensure that your fried chicken strips have the best flavor and are tender and juicy, marinating the chicken is crucial. Marinating involves soaking the chicken in a seasoned liquid for a period of time, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before marinating the chicken, gather all your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:
| Chicken breast strips | 1 pound |
| Buttermilk | 1 cup |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Add the chicken breast strips to the bowl and make sure they are fully coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. Marinating the chicken for a longer period of time will enhance the flavors.
Mixing the Marinade
To make the marinade for your air fryer fried chicken strips, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
For added flavor, you can also incorporate other herbs and spices such as cayenne pepper, dried thyme, or onion powder according to your taste preferences.
Once the marinade is mixed, add the chicken strips to the bowl, making sure they are fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results. This will allow the flavors to infuse into the chicken and make it extra delicious.
Coating the Chicken Strips
Coating the chicken strips properly is essential to achieving that crispy, golden texture. Here is a step-by-step guide to coating your chicken strips:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
- In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Shake off any excess flour and then dip the strip into the egg mixture.
- Allow any excess egg to drip off, and then dip the strip back into the flour mixture for a second coat.
- Place the coated chicken strips onto a separate plate or tray.
- Repeat the process for the remaining chicken strips.
Coating the chicken strips twice will help to create a thicker, crunchier coating. Make sure to shake off any excess flour and egg before air frying to prevent any clumps or sticking.
Now that your chicken strips are coated, it’s time to cook them in the air fryer!
Preparing the Air Fryer
Before you begin cooking your fried chicken strips in the air fryer, it is essential to properly prepare the appliance. Following these steps will help ensure that your chicken turns out crispy and delicious:
- Read the manual: Familiarize yourself with the instructions and safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your air fryer. This will help you understand how to use the specific features and settings of your appliance.
- Preheat the air fryer: Many air fryers require preheating before cooking. Preheating helps achieve a crispy texture and efficient cooking. Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature as indicated in your recipe.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: If your air fryer has a removable basket, remove it from the appliance. Lightly coat the basket with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to help prevent the chicken strips from sticking.
- Avoid overcrowding: Arrange the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there is enough space between each strip. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and a less crispy result.
- Prep your breading station: Set up a station with three shallow bowls – one filled with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs or your preferred coating. This will make the breading process efficient and organized.
- Prep your cooking spray: If desired, have a cooking spray on hand to lightly coat the chicken strips before placing them in the air fryer. This can help enhance the crispiness of the final result.
Following these steps will help ensure that your air fryer is ready for cooking delicious fried chicken strips. Once the air fryer is prepared, you can move on to coating and cooking the chicken. Enjoy!
Setting Up the Air Fryer
Before you can start making delicious fried chicken strips in your air fryer, you’ll need to set it up properly. Follow these steps to ensure you’re ready to go:
| 1. | Remove all packaging materials and accessories from the air fryer. |
| 2. | Place the air fryer on a stable, flat surface. |
| 3. | Plug in the air fryer and ensure it is securely connected to a power source. |
| 4. | Adjust the temperature and time settings as per your recipe’s instructions. Most air fryers have a temperature range of 180°C to 200°C (360°F to 400°F) and a timer that can be set up to 30 minutes. |
| 5. | Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding your chicken strips. This will ensure that they cook evenly and crispy. |
| 6. | Place the chicken strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching each other to allow for proper airflow. |
With your air fryer properly set up, you’re now ready to start making delicious fried chicken strips. Follow the rest of the recipe instructions to achieve crispy and flavorful results.
FAQ
What is the best way to make fried chicken strips in an air fryer?
The best way to make fried chicken strips in an air fryer is to start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk and spices for at least an hour. Then, coat the chicken in a mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and place the chicken strips in a single layer in the basket. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Can I use any type of chicken for making fried chicken strips in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use any type of chicken for making fried chicken strips in an air fryer. Whether you prefer white meat or dark meat, boneless or bone-in, it will work well in an air fryer. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the thickness and size of the chicken strips.
What are some tips for getting crispy chicken strips in an air fryer?
To get crispy chicken strips in an air fryer, try these tips: 1) Coat the chicken strips in a mixture of flour and breadcrumbs for added crunch. 2) Preheat the air fryer before cooking to ensure even and consistent heat. 3) Use a cooking spray or brush a thin layer of oil on the chicken to help with browning and crispiness. 4) Flip the chicken strips halfway through cooking to ensure both sides are crispy. 5) Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, leave enough space for air circulation.
Can I make fried chicken strips in an air fryer without using flour?
Yes, you can make fried chicken strips in an air fryer without using flour. Instead of flour, you can use a combination of panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or even almond flour for a gluten-free option. The coating might not be as thick or crunchy as traditional flour-coated chicken, but it will still taste delicious.
What can I serve with fried chicken strips in an air fryer?
You can serve fried chicken strips in an air fryer with a variety of side dishes. Some popular options include french fries, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, or a fresh salad. You can also serve them with a dipping sauce like barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
