Air Fryer Fried Chicken (thighs)

5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Fried Chicken (thighs)

This air fryer fried chicken is light, crispy, and incredibly juicy. Made Asian-style without buttermilk or egg. Flavorful and lightly breaded fried chicken that everyone will enjoy!

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Main

Cuisine: American, Asian

Servings: Pcs

Calories: 329kcal

Author: Maricel

Equipment

air fryer

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs or drumsticks bone-in, skin-on
1 cup soda water
cooking oil spray

Spice Rub Ingredient (divided)

¾ tsp salt or to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp ginger powder
¼ tsp black ground black pepper
¼ tsp chili powder optional

Cornstarch breading

½ cup cornstarch
2 tbsp rice flour or sub with AP flour
¼ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp spice rub

Instructions

Combine all the spice rub ingredients and season the chicken. Set aside the remaining spice rub.
In a medium-sized bowl, add cornstarch, flour, baking soda, and the remaining spice rub. Mix until well combined.
Dredge the chicken into the cornstarch mixture using a kitchen tong or by hand. Place the chicken on a baking sheet.
In another bowl, add the soda water and dip the chicken one at a time then back to the cornstarch mixture. Press and shake off excess coating.
Place the chicken on the air fryer basket and spray generously with cooking oil. Cook with the skin side up in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Flip twice every 10 to 12 minutes and spray with cooking oil as needed.
Double air fry the fried chicken. Air fry at 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes with the skin side up until blistering and crispy to your liking.

Video

Notes

The chicken pieces' safe internal temperature is 165°F (recommended for chicken breast). It depends on your liking. I like mine at 180°F to 185°F (recommended for bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks) with golden-blistered chicken skin.

Nutrition