Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken
Why this recipe works
- Buttermilk tenderising: A chilled buttermilk soak seasons the chicken and helps keep the meat tender during air-frying.
- Crisp, well-browned crust: Seasoned flour creates the classic coating, while a light layer of oil helps dry patches colour evenly in the air fryer.
- Adjustable heat: Paprika gives the crust warmth and colour, while the cayenne and black pepper can be adjusted for a milder or sharper finish.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For less heat: Replace the cayenne with more sweet paprika for a gentler crust while keeping the colour and savoury depth.
- For a hotter finish: Use a little extra cayenne in the seasoned flour, or lean more heavily on black pepper for a sharper heat.
- Keep it rounded: Let paprika remain the main spice and use cayenne as an accent so the heat does not overpower the chicken.
Timing notes
- Allow the buttermilk soak: The chilled soak is not just for flavour; it helps season and tenderise the chicken before coating.
- Most of the time is inactive: The hands-on work is mainly jointing, dredging and turning the chicken; the longer timing comes from the buttermilk chill.
- Rest before serving: A short rest after air-frying lets the coating firm up slightly so it stays crisp when served.
Texture tips
- Let excess buttermilk drip off: Too much buttermilk can make the flour coating heavy, so allow the chicken to drip briefly before dredging.
- Avoid crowding the basket: Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook in batches if needed so air can circulate around each piece.
- Fix floury patches: If dry flour remains after turning, dab or brush those spots with a little oil so they brown properly.
Make-ahead tips
- Start the soak ahead: The chicken can be coated in buttermilk earlier so it is ready to dredge and air-fry when needed.
- Reheat for crispness: Reheat chilled pieces in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 6 to 10 minutes until piping hot and crisp.
- Freezer-friendly: Cool the cooked chicken completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months and reheat from thawed.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Joint the chicken into 8 to 10 pieces (2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, 2 wings), keeping the skin on. Pat dry and place in a bowl.
- Pour over the buttermilk and turn the chicken to coat. Cover and chill for 60 minutes to season and tenderise.
- Mix the plain flour, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, ground onion, fine sea salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Lift chicken from the buttermilk, let excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for 5 minutes. Arrange the chicken in a single layer; cook in batches if necessary.
- Lightly brush or drizzle the chicken with the vegetable oil for even browning. Air-fry for 12 minutes, turn, then cook for 10 to 14 minutes more until golden and cooked through.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving. The coating will firm up as it cools slightly, keeping it crisp.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For even cooking, put larger pieces (thighs and drumsticks) in first and add wings or smaller pieces in a second batch if your air fryer basket is small.
- If floury patches remain after turning, dab with a little more vegetable oil to help those spots colour.
- Food safety: if serving to children, pregnant people, or anyone vulnerable, make sure the chicken is cooked through with clear juices and no pink meat.
Substitutions
- Replace cayenne pepper with sweet paprika for a milder, less spicy crust.
- Replace black pepper with cayenne pepper for a sharper, hotter finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 6 to 10 minutes until piping hot and crisp; freeze for up to 2 months and reheat from thawed.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 1h 35min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Pollo a la Coca-Cola (Chicken in Chipotle Cola Sauce)
Chicken simmered with chipotle, onion and a glossy cola sauce
Quenelles de Brochet with Sauce Nantua (Pike Dumplings in Crayfish Sauce)
Poached pike dumplings served with creamy crayfish Sauce Nantua
Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Cheese-stuffed chicken with cheddar and cream cheese, air-fried.
Arroz con Pollo (Cuban-Style Rice and Chicken)
One-pot Cuban-style chicken and rice with peppers and tomatoes
Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Breast
Cajun-spiced chicken breast cooked in the air fryer.
Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut (Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Onion)
Bratwurst simmered with sauerkraut, onion and caraway
Kerala Beef Fry with Coconut Slices
Dry-style Kerala beef fry with curry leaves and coconut
Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken and Crema
Baked chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce and crema
Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Crackling
Slow-roasted pork shoulder with crisp crackling and roasting juices
Prawn Cocktail Lettuce Cups
Prawn cocktail in crisp lettuce cups with chives
Leek and Potato Soup with Stilton Toast
Smooth leek and potato soup with Stilton toast
Veal Escalope with Mushroom and Tarragon Cream Sauce
Pan-fried veal escalopes with mushroom and tarragon cream sauce
Southern Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Gravy
Crisp fried chicken drumsticks with peppery buttermilk gravy
Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Buttermilk-marinated chicken turns crisp and golden in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Spicy Fried Chicken
Spiced, hot-sauce chicken turns crisp and tender in the air fryer.
Crispy Fried Chicken with Buttermilk and Spiced Flour
Buttermilk fried chicken with a crisp spiced coating
Southern Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Biscuits
Crisp fried chicken served with warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits
Chicken Fried Chicken with White Gravy
Crispy buttermilk chicken with peppery white milk gravy
You might also like
Choucroute Garnie Alsacienne (Sauerkraut with Meats)
Braised sauerkraut with sausages and smoked pork
Gulai Kambing (Indonesian Spiced Lamb Curry)
Indonesian lamb curry simmered in coconut milk with spices
Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée (French Onion Soup with Gruyère Toast)
French onion soup topped with toasted baguette and Gruyère
Flautas de Papa con Crema (Crispy Potato Flautas)
Crispy potato flautas topped with crema, lettuce and cheese
Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup)
Chilled gazpacho made with tomatoes, cucumber and red pepper
Air Fryer Spicy Fried Chicken
Spiced, hot-sauce chicken turns crisp and tender in the air fryer.
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
