Olivia Carter
Are you tired of spending your hard-earned money on expensive fast food? Do you long for the mouth-watering taste of KFC chicken but don’t want to leave the comfort of your home? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we will show you how to recreate the famous KFC chicken using an air fryer.
No more waiting in long drive-thru lines or dealing with crowded restaurants. With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can have crispy, juicy KFC chicken in the comfort of your own kitchen. This recipe is perfect for those who want to indulge in their favorite fried chicken without all the guilt.
Using an air fryer is not only a healthier alternative to deep frying, but it also cuts down on cooking time. You can enjoy the taste and texture of fried chicken without the excess oil and calories. Plus, the air fryer ensures that your chicken is evenly cooked and retains its moisture, resulting in tender and delicious meat.
So, put on your apron and get ready to impress your family and friends with your homemade KFC chicken. Follow our step-by-step guide below and get ready for a finger-licking good meal that will rival the real deal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making KFC Chicken at Home with an Air Fryer
If you’re craving the delicious taste of KFC chicken but don’t want to leave the house, you’re in luck! With an air fryer, you can make crispy and flavorful KFC-style chicken right in your own kitchen. Follow these simple steps to recreate the famous fast food chicken at home.
Step 1: Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. You’ll need chicken pieces (such as drumsticks, thighs, or breast), buttermilk, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 2: Place the chicken in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over it. Make sure each piece is fully coated, then cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
Step 3: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This will be the breading for your chicken.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While it’s heating up, take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk and let the excess liquid drip off.
Step 5: Roll the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. You can use your hands to press the breading onto the chicken for extra crispiness.
Step 6: Once the air fryer is preheated, place the chicken in the basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket – you may need to cook the chicken in batches if your air fryer is small.
Step 7: Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
Step 8: Once the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Step 9: Serve your homemade KFC chicken with your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. Enjoy the crispy and flavorful chicken that rivals the real KFC!
By following these easy steps, you can enjoy the taste of KFC chicken without having to leave your home. The air fryer ensures a healthier cooking method while still delivering that signature crunch. So why wait? Get your air fryer ready and start cooking!
Gathering the Ingredients
Before you can start making KFC chicken at home in an air fryer, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. To recreate the famous KFC taste, you will need the following:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken pieces (mixed) | 2-3 pounds |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Paprika | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Dried oregano | 1 tablespoon |
| Dried basil | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Black pepper | 1 tablespoon |
| Egg | 1 |
| Milk | 1/2 cup |
| Buttermilk | 1/2 cup |
| Vegetable oil | For frying |
Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you begin the cooking process. This will ensure a smooth and efficient cooking experience. Now that you have gathered the ingredients, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Preparing the Chicken
Before you can start making KFC chicken in an air fryer, you need to prepare the chicken properly.
1. Choose the Right Chicken Pieces
To achieve that authentic KFC taste, you will need to use bone-in chicken pieces. You can use a combination of drumsticks, thighs, and wings, or choose your favorite cuts. Remember to remove the skin for a healthier version.
2. Brine the Chicken
Brining the chicken helps to enhance the flavor and juiciness. In a large bowl, dissolve salt in water and add your chicken pieces. Let them soak in the brine solution for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for a more intense flavor.
3. Prepare the Coating
The secret to KFC chicken’s crispy coating lies in a blend of herbs and spices. In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
Note: You can adjust the amount of each spice to suit your personal taste.
4. Dredge the Chicken
To get that signature KFC crunchy coating, you need to dredge the chicken. Take each brined chicken piece and coat it thoroughly with the flour mixture. Press the mixture onto the chicken to ensure even coverage.
5. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure a crispy exterior and juicy interior for your KFC chicken.
Now that you have prepared the chicken, it’s time to start cooking it in the air fryer!
Coating the Chicken
Once you have marinated the chicken, it’s time to give it that crispy, flavorful coating that KFC is known for. The key to the perfect coating lies in a two-step process: the flour mixture and the buttermilk dip.
Flour Mixture
In a bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with the KFC secret spice blend. You can easily find recipes online that replicate the famous KFC flavor. Make sure to thoroughly mix the spices with the flour to ensure an even coating.
As an optional step, you can add some cornstarch to the flour mixture. This will create an extra crispy texture to your chicken.
Buttermilk Dip
In another bowl, pour buttermilk. Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and adds a tangy flavor to the coating. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Before dipping the chicken into the buttermilk, make sure to shake off any excess marinade. This will prevent the buttermilk from getting too diluted and the coating from becoming too soggy.
Once the chicken is dipped in buttermilk, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Now that you have your flour mixture and buttermilk dip ready, it’s time to coat the chicken. Start by dredging each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly. You can use your hands or tongs to do this.
Once the chicken is coated with the flour mixture, dip it back into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring that every part of the chicken is coated.
Finally, return the chicken to the flour mixture and give it another coat. This double coating will give your chicken that signature KFC crunch.
Once the chicken is coated, place it on a plate or wire rack and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the coating to set.
Now, your chicken is ready to be air-fried to perfection!
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Using an air fryer to cook can be a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in crispy and delicious results without the need for excessive oil or added fats.
Here are some tips for cooking in the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer: Just like with an oven, preheating the air fryer helps to ensure even cooking.
- Use a light coating of oil: While the air fryer requires less oil than traditional frying methods, using a small amount of oil can help to enhance the flavor and crispiness of the food.
- Avoid overcrowding: To achieve the best results, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate freely and ensures that the food cooks evenly.
- Flip or shake the food: Depending on the recipe, you may need to flip or shake the food halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
- Adjust the cooking time and temperature: Air fryers can vary in their cooking times and temperatures, so it may be necessary to adjust these variables based on your specific model or recipe.
- Clean the air fryer regularly: To keep your air fryer in good working condition, be sure to clean it regularly. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific cleaning guidelines.
Whether you’re cooking chicken, vegetables, or even desserts, the air fryer can be a versatile tool in your kitchen. Experiment with different recipes and cooking times to find your own perfect balance of crispiness and flavor.
FAQ
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk for the KFC chicken recipe?
While buttermilk is traditionally used to marinate chicken in the KFC recipe, you can use regular milk as a substitute. However, keep in mind that buttermilk gives the chicken a tangy flavor and helps to tenderize it. If you use regular milk, you may not achieve the same level of tanginess and tenderness. To make a buttermilk substitute, you can mix together regular milk with lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes until it curdles slightly.
