Air Fryer Copycat KFC Chicken

In this blog post, we’ll be sharing a recipe for air fryer copycat KFC chicken! We no longer have to dream of fried chicken, we can make a delicious batch. This dish is perfect for those who are looking to enjoy the taste of KFC without all of the extra calories. Our version of this classic dish is just as delicious but much healthier!

If there’s one chicken you must perfect in the air fryer it is this copycat KFC recipe. You will amaze your friends and family with how close it tastes to the real thing! But don’t take our word for it, give it a try yourself!

Getting the KFC seasoning right is critical to the success of this dish. You’ll want to make sure you have a good blend of spices. We also like to add a little white pepper for some extra heat.

Another key component to this recipe is buttermilk. While you can use regular milk, we find that buttermilk gives the chicken a nice flavor that really takes it over the top. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make your own by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dig in!

Ingredients

Ingredients

• • 8 chicken drumsticks (or thighs and drumsticks)
• • 4 cups buttermilk
• • 1 tablespoon salt
• • 1 teaspoon paprika
• • ½ teaspoon white pepper
• • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• • 2 cups all-purpose flour
• • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• • 1 tablespoon paprika
• • 2 teaspoons salt
• • 1 teaspoon black pepper
• • 1 teaspoon white pepper
• • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• • 1 teaspoon onion powder
• • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• • ½ teaspoon dried basil
• • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
• • ½ teaspoon celery salt
• • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• • Oil spray (avocado oil or vegetable oil)

Directions

• Instructions
• 1. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, salt, paprika, white pepper, and garlic powder. Add the chicken, making sure it is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
• 2. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, oregano, ground mustard, celery salt, and ground ginger.
• 3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing firmly so the coating adheres well. Place coated chicken on a rack and let rest for 10–15 minutes.
• 4. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Spray the basket generously with oil.
• 5. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Spray the tops generously with oil until no dry flour spots remain.
• 6. Cook for 12 minutes, flip the chicken, spray again with oil, and cook an additional 10–16 minutes, or until the coating is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 175–185°F.

Recipe tips and variations

• If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk.
• For extra crispy chicken, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• If you like your chicken extra spicy, add more cayenne pepper to the seasoning mixture.
• Try serving this air fryer copycat KFC chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal!

FAQs

Q: Can I use boneless chicken breasts for this recipe?

A: Yes, you can! Just cook for 2-3 minutes less.

Q: What can I serve with this dish?

A: Our favorite sides to serve with air fryer copycat KFC chicken are mashed potatoes and green beans. But feel free to get creative and serve it with your favorite side dishes!

Q: Can I double or triple the recipe?

A: Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Just cook in batches if you’re doubling or tripling the recipe so that the chicken has enough space to cook evenly.

Q: I don’t have an air fryer. Can I make this recipe in the oven?

A: Yes, you can! Just bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Q: What happens to fried chicken left out overnight?

A: When meat is cooked, it should be eaten within a certain time frame to prevent bacteria from growing. Cooking meat does not kill all bacteria, only specific types. The general rule is that fried chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two months. If you leave your chicken out at room temperature for more than two hours, it should be thrown out. Bacteria will continue to grow on the chicken, even if it’s been cooked, and could make you sick if consumed.

Q: Is there any other ways to do fried chicken?

A: There are many different ways to fry chicken, and each will result in a slightly different taste and texture. Some popular methods include southern-style fried chicken, which is dredged in flour and spices before being fried; Nashville hot chicken, which is coated in a spicy seasoning blend before frying; and buttermilk fried chicken, which is soaked in a tangy buttermilk mixture before being fried. You could even do truffle fried chicken. No matter which method you choose, your fried chicken will be delicious!

Q: Can I do a fried chicken platter?

A: Of course! A fried chicken platter is a great way to feed a large group of people. Simply cook up a large batch of chicken using your favorite frying method, then arrange the chicken on a platter with some sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits. Your guests will be sure to enjoy!

We hope you enjoyed this recipe for air fryer copycat KFC chicken! If you gave it a try, let us know how it turned out in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other air fryer recipes while you’re here!