Cooking KFC Fried Chicken-style chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy chicken with less oil. Here’s a simple method to recreate that flavor at home.
Ingredients
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1 kg chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, or breast)
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1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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½ tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp dried thyme
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Cooking oil spray
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
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Place the chicken in a bowl.
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Pour the buttermilk over it.
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Cover and refrigerate at least 2–4 hours (overnight is best).
This makes the chicken tender and juicy.
2. Prepare the Coating
In another bowl mix:
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Flour
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Salt
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Pepper
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Paprika
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Garlic powder
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Onion powder
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Oregano
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Thyme
3. Coat the Chicken
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Remove chicken from buttermilk.
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Roll each piece in the flour mixture.
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Press the flour onto the chicken to form a thick coating.
4. Air Fry
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Preheat air fryer to 180°C (356°F).
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Place chicken pieces in the basket without overlapping.
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Lightly spray with cooking oil.
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Cook 18–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F).
5. Serve
Let the chicken rest 3–5 minutes before serving.
Serve with fries, coleslaw, or garlic dip for a real fast-food style meal.
✅ Tip: For extra crispiness, spray a little oil again after flipping.
If you want, I can also show:
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The secret 11-herb KFC-style seasoning mix
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A super crispy air-fryer coating trick restaurants use