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Pf Chang’s Air Fryer Orange Chicken

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Crispy, Sweet and Healthy Copycat Air Fryer Orange Chicken inspired by the PF Chang’s Asian Table restaurant! This easy recipe is so mouth-wateringly good! The combination of juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet and TASTY orange peel sauce is soo DELICIOUS!!

Air fryer orange chicken in a bowl

Now who doesn’t love some crispy orange chicken! Drenched in homemade sweet and sticky orange sauce! 

Who invented orange chicken

Orange chicken is such a popular takeaway dish and can be made healthier by cooking it in an air fryer ! Many versions of this recipe dish has been recreated by various restaurant and supermarket chains such as Panda express, Trader Joes – Pre cooked frozen orange chicken (in the US) and PF Chang’s Asian Table.

When I visited P.F. Chang’s Asian Table restaurant in London I was blown away by the amazing flavours. Of course, I had to recreate this amazing dish at home with a copycat recipe! P.F. Chang’s is an Asian restaurant concept founded on making food from scratch every day in every restaurant. P.F. Chang’s has 210+ U.S. restaurants, plus over 95 restaurants in more than 25 countries across the globe.

  • Air fryer orange chicken in bowl
  • Air fryer orange chicken in a bowl

How to make air fryer PF Chang’s orange chicken 

(Scroll to the bottom of this page for the full list or ingredients and instructions on the recipe card)

  1. Air fryer prep: Preheat the air fryer 
  2. Prepare chicken batter: Add the diced chicken thighs into a large bowl, pour in the egg whites, then mix. In a separate large bowl mix the dry ingredients together (cornflour, salt, white pepper, garlic powder).
  3. Dredging the chicken: Pour the seasoned flour into a large food bag, slightly drain off the excess egg whites from the chicken mixture, place into the food bag and seal. Shake the food bag continuously until each piece of chicken is coated. Use your hands to massage the chicken into the flour to ensure each piece is coated well.
  4. Air fry: Brush or spray the air fryer basket with a light layer of oil. Shake off the excess flour from the chicken and then place into the air fryer. Spray or brush the top of the dredged chicken with oil before cooking. Air fry the chicken for 15 minutes at 170°C / 340 °F , turning the chicken pieces half way through the cooking process.
  5. Making the orange sauce: Whilst the chicken is in the air fryer heat a pan to a medium level, add all the orange sauce ingredients listed into the pan, bring to the boil and then simmer for 6-8 until the sauce is thick in consistency.
  6. Final step: Mix together the cooked air fryer chicken pieces and orange sauce in a large serving bowl. Serve with rice or noodles and enjoy!
  • Air fryer orange chicken pieces raw 1 inch cubes
  • Air fryer orange chicken ingredients
  • Air fryer orange chicken ingredients for the sauce
  • Air fryer orange chicken sauce
  • Air fryer orange chicken in the basket uncooked
  • Air fryer orange chicken cooked in the basket
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close up of Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Pf Chang’s Air Fryer Orange Chicken

  • Author: Catherine
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings
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Description

Crispy, Sweet and Healthy Copycat Air Fryer Orange Chicken inspired by the PF Chang’s Asian Table restaurant! This easy recipe is so mouth-wateringly good! The combination of juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet and TASTY orange peel sauce is soo DELICIOUS!!

Ingredients

Crispy air fried chicken

  • Boneless chicken thighs – 1 pound / 450g

  • Cornflour/ corn starch – 1 x Cup / 150g

  • Egg whites – 2 x eggs

  • Salt – 1 x teaspoon 

  • Ground white pepper – 1 x teaspoon

  • Garlic Powder – 1 x tablespoon 

  • Vegetable oil (in a spray bottle)

Orange sauce

  • Freshly squeezed orange juice – 1 x Cup / 240ml / or 3-4 Oranges 

  • Orange Zest – 1 x teaspoon 

  • Light Soy Sauce – 4 x tablespoons

  • Rice wine vinegar – 1 x tablespoon 

  • Fresh garlic cloves – 2 x cloves minced 

  • Fresh ginger 1 x teaspoon minced 

  • Siracha sauce – 1 x teaspoon 

  • Granulated white sugar – 1/3 cup / 66g

  • Sesame seed oil – 1 x teaspoon 

  • Corn-starch/ cornflour – 1 x teaspoon (dissolved in 2-3 teaspoons of water to make a paste)

Instructions

  1. Air fryer prep: Preheat the air fryer 
  2. Prepare chicken batter: Add the diced chicken thighs into a large bowl, pour in the egg whites, then mix. In a separate large bowl mix the dry ingredients together (cornflour, salt, white pepper, garlic powder).
  3. Dredging the chicken: Pour the seasoned flour into a large food bag, slightly drain off the excess egg whites on the chicken,  place into the food bag and seal. Shake the food bag continuously until each piece of chicken is coated. Use your hands to massage the chicken into the flour to ensure each piece is coated well.
  4. Air fry: Brush or spray the air fryer basket with a light layer of oil. Shake off the excess flour from the chicken and then place into the air fryer. Spray or brush the top of the dredged chicken with oil before cooking. Air fry the chicken for 15 minutes at 170°C / 340 °F , turning the chicken pieces half way through the cooking process.
  5. Making the orange sauce: Whilst the chicken is in the air fryer heat a pan to a medium level, add all the orange sauce ingredients listed into the pan, bring to the boil and then simmer for 6-8 until the sauce is thick in consistency.
  6. Final step: Mix together the cooked air fryer chicken pieces and orange sauce in a large serving bowl. Serve with rice or noodles and enjoy!

     

Notes

  • Do not overload the air fryer basket, cook in batches if you own a smaller air fryer model.
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Asain

Keywords: orange chicken, air fryer chicken, chicken, sweet and sour

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Air Fryer Orange Chicken Pinterest pin

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Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowls

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This middle eastern spiced Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl recipe is a healthy & delicious meal! Succulent air fried chicken marinated in a homemade shawarma spice mix, served with fresh salad, rice and hummus! You need to try this AMAZING recipe! Perfect for lunch, meal prep or even for dinner!

air fryer chicken shawarma in a bowl with salad rice and hummus

What is chicken shawarma

Chicken shawarma is chicken that has been marinated in the middle eastern, Lebanese shawarma spice mix. The chicken is most commonly grilled or added to a kebab rotisserie but this chicken shawarma rice bowl recipe works well in the air fryer too!

What do you serve with chicken shawarma

You can serve chicken shawarma with an array of accompanying dishes. I love to serve air fryer chicken shawarma in a rice bowl with hummus and salad. Shawarma is also often paired with garlic sauce as a flavourful creamy condiment. Here are some other popular ways to serve air fryer chicken shawarma:

  • Wraps
  • Sandwiches 
  • Inside a pitta 
  • Kebabs
  • Meal prep salad bowls
air fryer chicken thighs shawarma on a plate

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Where is chicken shawarma from

Chicken shawarma originates form the middle eastern country of Lebanon.

air fryer chicken shawarma in a bowl with salad rice and hummus

What is shawarma spice 

Shawarma spice is the foundation seasoning that brings together shawarma marinades. The aromatic dried spice blend can be used to marinate chicken, lamb, and even fish and vegetables. Shawarma spice can be purchased but I like to make my own as it so easy to do and can be used for other dishes when batch made in bulk. Essentially all you need to do is mix the following ground spices to create shawarma spice. (Get the FULL recipe including measurements + cooking instructions at the bottom of this page)

  • Allspice
  • Black pepper 
  • Cinnamon 
  • Cumin 
  • Cardamon 
  • Ginger 
  • Chilli powder 
  • Ground nutmeg 
  • Ground coriander 
  • chicken shawarma spices on a plate
  • homemade shawarma spice

Is chicken shawarma healthy

Full of protein and healthier when air fried or grilled / barbequed, chicken shawarma is defiantly a healthy addition to your meal! It can be even healthier when using lean chicken breast fillets rather than thighs to reduce the amount of saturated fat per serving.

How to marinate chicken shawarma

To marinate chicken with shawarma, add chicken thighs to a large bowl, pour over the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and then mix. Once combined mix in shawarma dried spice until all the chicken pieces are fully coated in the marinade. At this stage you can marinate the chicken overnight for extra flavour or air fry straight away!

air fryer raw chicken shawarma in an air fryer basket

What temperature to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer

For tender juicy air fryer chicken thighs, I find they cook best at 170c / 340f.

How long to cook boneless chicken thighs in an air fryer

Boneless chicken thighs cook a lot quicker in the air fryer compared to when the bone is still inside the thigh. For the best results I like to air fry boneless chicken thighs for 18 minutes. If you unsure about whether chicken is cooked I highly recommend buying an affordable kitchen prob to confirm accurate internal temps of cooked food. The chicken should be 75c/167f or over in temperature once fully cooked. 

How to make air fryer chicken shawarma thighs 

Making chicken shawarma is quick and easy to do, once the chicken is marinated in the shawarma spice it’s placed into the air fryer basket to air fry until cooked! 

air fryer chicken thighs shawarma in the basket

What is a rice bowl

A rice bowl is a combination of ingredients paired with rice, similar to a buddha bowl. They are usually great for lunch when topped with proteins, vegetables, hummus, sauces, seeds and salads. 

How to make a rice bowl

To assemble a chicken shawarma rice bowl spread spoonful’s of hummus at the base of the bowl, add rice to the other side of the bowl, then top with sliced pieces of chicken shawarma and salad. You can also add your favourite dressing on top too! Garlic yogurt & chilli sauce works quite well with the shawarma flavours.

air fryer chicken shawarma in a bowl with salad rice and hummus

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN AIR FRYER

Air frying is such a great way of cooking food! The popular small counter top electric air fryer convection oven, mimics the process of “frying food” without having to deep fry in oil! Here are some of the top benefits of cooking with an air fryer;

  • Healthier – Air frying is a much healthier alternative to deep or shallow frying food. Up to 80% less fat can be achieved in certain air fried meals by using this cooking method rather than frying conventionally in oil.
  • Even cooking – Because the fan in an air fryer circulates at a high speed within a small space, food tends to crisp up quicker and cook evenly throughout. 
  • Time efficient –  Although some air fryers have a pre heat setting, air fryers generally heat up very quickly. Due to their size, cook times are substantially lower compared to an oven, which can take up to 15 minutes to pre heat fully and come up to temperature.
  • Easy to use – Using Air fryers is very easy and is a great kitchen tool for cooks that might not be as confident in the kitchen.
  • Saves space – As air fryers are small and portable, they are great for people who may not have access to a fully functioning kitchen. For example a college student or someone who lives in a studio apartment where you may not have access to a full size oven. 
  • Versatility – Air fryers are probably the most versatile kitchen gadgets available. Not only can you air fry food, you can also bake, grill, toast, steam and roast ingredients in the air fryer.
air fryer chicken thighs shawarma on a plate

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air fryer chicken shawarma in a bowl with salad rice and hummus

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowls

  • Author: Catherine
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 8 x Thighs
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Description

This middle eastern spiced Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl recipe is a healthy & delicious meal! Succulent air fried chicken marinated in a homemade shawarma spice mix, served with fresh salad, rice and hummus! You need to try this AMAZING recipe! Perfect for lunch, meal prep or even for dinner!

Ingredients

Chicken 

  •        Boneless chicken thighs – 8 x thighs

 

Shawarma spice 

  •        Allspice – ½ teaspoon 
  •        Ground black pepper – ½ teaspoon 
  •        Ground cinnamon – 1 x teaspoon 
  •        Ground cumin – 1 x teaspoon 
  •        Ground cardamon – 1/2 x teaspoon 
  •        Ground ginger – ½ teaspoon 
  •        Chilli powder – ½ teaspoon
  •        Ground nutmeg – 1 teaspoon 
  •        Ground coriander – ½ teaspoon
  •        Salt – 1 teaspoon 
  •        Olive oil – 1 teaspoon 
  •        Fresh lemon juice – 1 x Lemon 
  •        Fresh garlic minced – 2 x Cloves 

Optional – Serve with;

  •        Hummus 
  •        Rice 
  •        Salad
  •      Garlic sauce, chilli sauce or dressings 

Instructions

  1.  Air fryer prep: Preheat your air fryer 
  2. Making the shawarma spice: Add all the dry spices to a small bowl, mix and set aside
  3. Marinating the chicken thighs: Add the boneless chicken thighs to a large bowl, pour over the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and the mix. Once combined add in all the homemade shawarma spice and mix again until all the chicken pieces are fully coated in the marinade. *
  4. Air frying: Using a kitchen tong, place the marinated chicken thighs into the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure the thigh pieces are evenly spread out flat and do not overlap the chicken. Cook in batches if you have a smaller air fryer model. Air fry for 18 minutes at 170c / 340f until the chicken is cooked, the internal temperature should be 75c/ 167f or above, (I like to use a kitchen probe which you can buy on amazon)
  5. Serve: Slice the chicken thighs and serve with rice, hummus and your favourite salad combo and dressings. You can also eat the chicken shawarma as wrap or with pitta bread!

Notes

You can marinate the chicken overnight for increased depth of flavour.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 18
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Air fryer
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, air fryer chicken, rice bowl, salad bow, meal prep

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air fryer chicken shawarma in a bowl with salad rice and hummus

Air Fryer Lamb Chops

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Tender, Sizzling AIR FRYER Lamb Chops infused with a Greek style marinade with lemon juice, aromatic herbs, fresh garlic and olive oil. This easy to make recipe is a must try dish!  

air fryer lamb chops on a plate with a ketchup dip

What are lamb chops

Lamb chops is one of the most expensive parts of lamb. The lamb chop, also known as lamb cutlets, has a lot of flavour and are very tender. Lamb chops taste amazing when cooked in the Air Fryer, grilled or pan fried. Lamb chops are individual cuts of meat with the bone in, however they derive from a rack of lamb which is cut into smaller pieces. Rack of lamb can typically be cooked as a whole joint of meat. Popular recipes for rack of lamb include herb crusted / crumbed rack of lamb or brushed with Dijon mustard and roasted in an oven.

What part of the lamb is the lamb chop

A lamb chop comes from the rib of the lamb, the rack is then cut into smaller chops / cutlets / lollipops.

air fryer lamb chops on a plate with fries

What’s the difference between lamb chops and lamb loin chops?

A loin of lamb is taken from the mid-section of the waist between the rib and sirloin. Loin chops have a t bone in the middle and a different more rounder shape compared to Lamb chops.

What does frenched lamb chops mean

French trimmed lamb chops is the process of cleaning the lamb chop bone to remove the excess sinew and membrane, by using a sharp knife to scrape off the excess meat/membrane. The bone should appear clean and almost off white. It remains like this throughout grilling or cooking in the air fryer.

  • raw lamb chops
  • air fryer lamb chops on a plate with lemon wedges

What to season lamb chops with

Lamb chops work incredibly well with a Greek style marinade! The combination of seasonings, fresh herbs, lemon juice and garlic taste amazing! Here are some other amazing ways to season and marinate lamb chops.

  • Herb crusted Lamb chops
  • Tandoori Lamb Chops
  • Harissa Lamb chops
  • Barbequed Lamb chops

How to marinate lamb chops

The best way to marinate lamb chops to maximise their flavour before air frying is to add the lamb chops into a large bowl, add seasonings, cover and refrigerate overnight. The longer the lamb chops sit in the marinade the more delicious and tastier the lamb will be once cooked.

air fryer lamb chops marinating in a bowl

How to cook lamb chops in an air fryer

Cooking lamb chops in an air fryer is super easy and fuss free. All you need to do is add the marinated lamb chops into the basket, then air fry and ensure you flip the lamb chops over on the other side halfway through cooking.

How long do you cook lamb chops in air fryer?

Lamb chops take 8 minutes minimum to cook in the air fryer for medium results. You can cook for a further 2 + minutes for a more well-done lamb chops. The thickness of the lamb chops will affect the cooking time, thinner cut lamb chops will cook a lot quicker than thicker cut lamb chops. Adjust the cook times accordingly.

  • air fryer lamb chops in the basket
  • air fryer lamb chops in the basket

What temperature to cook lamb chops

Lamb chops should be cooked in the air fryer at 190°C / 375°F for 8 – 10 minutes.

Why are my lamb chops tough

Lamb chops when overcooked are very tough which is not great. To prevent this follow the cook times and also remove the chops from the air fryer as soon as they are cooked. If you keep the lamb chops inside the air fryer, they will continue cooking.

air fryer lamb chops on a plate with a ketchup dip

AIR FRYER LAMB CHOPS STEP BY STEP RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL

What goes with air fryer lamb chops

Air fryer Lamb Chops are so versatile as they can be eaten appetiser / side dish or as a main meal for dinner. Here are some great sides that go well with lamb chops.

  • air fryer lamb chops on a plate with truffle fries and ketchup
  • air fryer lamb chops on a plate with mashed potatoes and gravy

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN AIR FRYER

Air frying is such a great way of cooking food! The popular small counter top electric air fryer convection oven, mimics the process of “frying food” without having to deep fry in oil! Here are some of the top benefits of cooking with an air fryer;

  • Healthier – Air frying is a much healthier alternative to deep or shallow frying food. Up to 80% less fat can be achieved in certain air fried meals by using this cooking method rather than frying conventionally in oil.
  • Even cooking – Because the fan in an air fryer circulates at a high speed within a small space, food tends to crisp up quicker and cook evenly throughout. 
  • Time efficient –  Although some air fryers have a pre heat setting, air fryers generally heat up very quickly. Due to their size, cook times are substantially lower compared to an oven, which can take up to 15 minutes to pre heat fully and come up to temperature.
  • Easy to use – Air fryers are very easy to use and are a great kitchen tool for cooks that might not be as confident in the kitchen.
  • Saves space – As air fryers are small and portable, they are great for people who may not have access to a fully functioning kitchen. For example a college student or someone who lives in a studio apartment where you may not have access to a full size oven. 
  • Versatility – Air fryers are probably the most versatile kitchen gadgets available. Not only can you air fry food, you can also bake, grill, toast, steam and roast ingredients in the air fryer.

How many calories in a lamb chop

There are 131 calories in one lamb chop. The calories in a chop will mainly vary vastly depending on whether the excess fat has been trimmed down. I like to keep this on as it has a lot of flavour and most of the fat renders down whilst cooking in the air fryer.

Are lamb chops healthy

Lamb chops are a great source of protein within a balance diet. There are 16.5g of protein per lamb chop in this recipe.

air fryer lamb chops on a plate with lemon wedges
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air fryer lamb chops on a plate

Air Fryer Lamb Chops

  • Author: Catherine
  • Total Time: 13 minutes
  • Yield: 9
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Description

Tender, Sizzling AIR FRYER Lamb Chops infused with a Greek style marinade with lemon juice, aromatic herbs and garlic and olive oil. This easy to make recipe is a must try dish!  

Ingredients

  • Lamb chops/Lamb cutlets – 9 x chops (approximately 720g / 1.5 pounds)
  • Fresh lemon juice – Juice from 1 x lemon 
  • Olive oil – 2 x tablespoons 
  • Ground black pepper – 1 x teaspoon 
  • Dried Thyme – 1 x teaspoon
  • Dried Oregano – 1 x teaspoon 
  • Fresh garlic – 4 x cloves (finely chopped or minced)
  • Salt – 1 x teaspoons 

Instructions

  1. Air fryer prep: Preheat the air fryer

  2. Marinating the lamb chops: Add all the ingredients to a large bowl (excluding the fresh thyme) and mix until the Lamb chops are fully marinated.

  3. Air frying lamb chops: Place the lamb chops into the air fryer, you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your model. Air fry for 8 minutes at 190°C / 375°F, flip halfway through cooking. If you would like the lamb chops to be well done cook for a further 2+ minutes.

  4. Plating: Serve with lemon wedges and top the cooked lamb chops with freshly chopped thyme or any other green herbs.

Notes

Do not overlap the lamb chops whilst air frying as this will prevent them from getting crispy and cooking properly.

The thickness of the lamb chops will affect the cooking time, thinner cut lamb chops will cook a lot quicker than thicker cut lamb chops. Adjust the cook times accordingly.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 8
  • Category: Appetiser
  • Method: Air frying
  • Cuisine: Greek

Keywords: Air fryer, Lamb Chops, meat, air fried lamb, lamb cutlets

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Air fryer KFC Southern Fried Chicken Drumsticks

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This healthy copycat KFC Southern fried chicken recipe will blow your mind! The air fryer buttermilk marinated chicken drumsticks are juicy, crispy, tender and so easy to make! The BEST homemade Fried Chicken you will ever make!

cooked kfc chicken in a takeaway paper bucket

Fried chicken is my most favourite food EVER! I’ve been making the delish dish for over 15 years and over this period I have perfected the most amazing and slightly healthier homemade recipe cooked via an air fryer!

These delicious buttermilk chicken drumsticks are also a copycat of the very popular KFC style fried chicken! 

They taste so good!

Let’s deep dive into how to make the BEST homemade fried chicken you’ve ever tasted!

close up of the air fried chicken

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Why buttermilk for fried chicken? 

Homemade Buttermilk fried chicken tastes amazing, juicy and tender! There is also a science behind why buttermilk can elevate southern style fried chicken to the next level! 

What does buttermilk do to chicken

Buttermilk, which is traditionally made from lemon and cows’ milk, is used as a marinade to tenderise poultry and other meats. The science behind buttermilk is that it has an acidic and also creamy nature which breaks down the fibres of chicken or meat, resulting in tenderisation. Another benefit of marinating with buttermilk is that the flesh stays juicy and does not dry out as the acidity levels in buttermilk is quite mild.

  • Plate of fried chicken
  • Dipping air fried chicken into gravy

How long to marinate chicken in buttermilk

You can marinade chicken for up to 3 – 4 days in buttermilk. The longer the chicken is marinating in buttermilk the more tender the chicken becomes and also takes on any additional flavourings added to the buttermilk even more intensely, as opposed to marinating chicken for 24 hours for example.

Do you wash buttermilk off chicken

When preparing fried chicken which has been marinating in buttermilk, you do not wash off the buttermilk before adding to flour. When preparing chicken pieces to be dredged in seasoned flour you just simply shake off the excess buttermilk before dipping into flour. You still want buttermilk on the chicken because as well as acting as a probiotic tenderiser, the buttermilk also helps the seasoned flour adhere to the chicken pieces. This will also help the chicken get really crispy whilst cooking.

buttermilk hot sauce and egg in a bowl ready to marinate the chicken

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk for fried chicken

If you can’t get hold of buttermilk or would prefer to make southern fried chicken without buttermilk, you can definitely just use milk as an alternative. The crispy batter will be slightly thinner and lighter in texture compared to buttermilk as plain milk is quite thin in consistency. 

Where does southern fried chicken come from

Southern fried chicken is typically marinated in buttermilk before dredging in seasoned flour and then fried in oil. This delicious crispy fried chicken originates from the southern states of America.

What to serve fried chicken with?

Fried chicken is an amazing dish or appetiser eaten on its own! However southern fried chicken can be paired with so many other dishes or sauces. Here’s some ideas to pair KFC style chicken with a meal;

  • Fried chicken and gravy 
  • Fried chicken served with pickles
  • Great when served with French fries /chips 
  • Fried chicken and waffles 
  • Served with mac and cheese
  • Chicken in burgers is also a classic combination 
plate of air fryer chicken and a sauce pot of gravy

What is KFC secret recipe ingredients 

One of the most sort after commercial culinary secrets is the KFC original recipe fried chicken recipe. The global fried chicken restaurant and take out brand is widely popular throughout the world. It’s said the secret recipe includes 11 top secret spices / seasoning to give the chicken its amazing moreish taste! Opinions vary on the exact recipe however I have tested and found the combination of spices below to get you pretty close to the notorious original Kentucky fried chicken flavour.

  1. Salt
  2. Dried thyme 
  3. Dried Basil 
  4. Oregano
  5. Celery salt 
  6. Dried mustard 
  7. Paprika
  8. Marjoram
  9. Ginger 
  10. White pepper 
  11. Ground black pepper 
kfc spices on a plate

What is seasoned flour

Seasoned flour is flour that has been mixed with herbs, spices and salt for extra flavour. Usually, all purpose flour/plain flour is used when making buttermilk KFC style fried chicken. By seasoning both the chicken, the buttermilk marinade and the flour you ensure the fried chicken drumstick, wings, breasts, etc. are packed full of flavour with every bite

How to season flour for fried chicken

Simply add spices, herbs and salt to flour and mix until fully combined. Seasoned flour can be stored in an air tight jar when made in bulk, ready for your next  fried chicken meal!

spices and herbs in a bowl for the kfc seasoned flour

How to make air fried chicken like KFC original recipe 

To achieve crisp delicious coating like KFC for fried chicken when cooking in an air fryer, follow the steps below; (for more detailed recipe steps including ingredient amounts, timing and temperatures please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post)

  1. Preheat – Preheat the air fryer (if this setting is available on the model your using) 
  2. Buttermilk Marinade – Add the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce to a large bowl. Whisk until combined then add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl, stir and set aside to use straight away or for the best results marinate overnight in the fridge. 
  3. Making the Copycat KFC Original Recipe Seasoned Flour – Add flour into another large bowl alongside with the all the 11 KFC spices & salt to make the seasoned flour. Mix until all the spices have combined with the flour evenly. Add 4 x tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade to the seasoned flour and mix. Little crumb will form which will help with the overall crispiness’ of the chicken.
  4. Dredging the chicken – Using hands take one drumstick out of the buttermilk marinade, shake of the excess liquid, then add to the seasoned flour. Use your hands to cover the drumsticks with the flour, apply pressure to ensure the flour adheres fully. Shake off the excess and place into the air fryer basket. 
  5. Air frying the chicken drumsticks – Spray the dredged chicken drumsticks generously with vegetable oil, then air fry for 10 minutes at 180c/350f . After the initial 10minutes of cooking stop the air fryer and turn the chicken drumsticks over to crisp up the other side of the chicken. Spray the chicken with oil to cover any flour patches. Then air fry for a further 7-8 minutes at 180c/350f degrees until cooked.
  • fried chicken ingredients
  • kfc chicken marinade with buttermilk
  • buttermilk marinade
  • chicken marinating in the buttermilk and then seasoned in flour
  • the dredged kfc chicken in the air fryer
  • cooked kfc chicken in the air fryer basket

How does KFC cook their chicken 

KFC deep fry their chicken drumsticks in large industrial pressure cooker fryers, this helps give the chicken a super crispy skin whilst the chicken flesh inside remains very moist. The cook time is usually slightly less than a traditional deep fat fryer or shallow frying via a cast iron skillet. Although traditional fried chicken will always have a fatty nature due to the deep-frying cooking process, pressure frying is known to alleviate some of the greasiness.

air fried kfc chicken in a takeaway bucket

Do Air fryers work for fried chicken?

Air frying is a great alternative to deep frying chicken. You can achieve pretty similar results to traditionally fried chicken. As well as being healthier due to; the reduced oil used during the cooking process & air frying negates the oil smells that can fill the kitchen when deep frying or using a cast iron skillet to make fried chicken.

How to make crispy fried chicken drumsticks in air fryer

Air fryers are such a great kitchen gadget for achieving crispy results without the hassle of deep frying or longer cook times via a traditional oven. There are a few key tips to achieving crispy, KFC style, Southern fried chicken drumsticks results when using an air fryer ;

  • Coating seasoned chicken in a seasoned flour dredge 
  • Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded with chicken. If there are too many pieces at one time in the air fryer the chicken batter will stick together. Also a steaming effect will occur resulting in soggy batter and you don’t want that! 
  • Generously spraying the chicken with oil to help the flour crisp up whilst cooking 
  • For the crispiest results I prefer not to use a greaseproof air fryer liner. When testing I found moisture would form at the base of the chicken pieces, making the KFC style batter slightly soggy. Most air fryer baskets are made from non-stick materials, so a liner is not required. Also, residual oil that releases from the chicken during the cooking process also helps prevent the southern fried chicken from sticking to the air fryer base.
cooked kfc chicken in the air fryer basket

How long to cook fried chicken in air fryer 

How long the cooking time would be for fried chicken in the air fryer will depend on the sizes of chicken you are using and whether or not the chicken pieces are on the bone. For my KFC style buttermilk southern fried chicken recipe, I air fry the chicken drumsticks for a total of 18 minutes, flipping the chicken over at the 10-minute mark. If you were cooking boneless fried chicken thighs or wings, I’ve found the timings in the air fryer are a lot less, for example between the 13-15 minute mark. (subject to the temperature you’re cooking at)

Air fried kfc chicken on a plate

At what temperature do you cook fried chicken in the air fryer

I’ve tested multiple air fryer temperatures to achieve the best southern fried chicken results! The sweet spot in my opinion is 180c/350f, the chicken drumsticks, thighs, breast or wings cooked at this level achieve an even golden and crispy texture on the surface of the surface, whilst also being cooked in the centre. 

How to reheat fried chicken in air fryer

I love to use my air fryer to reheat KFC style fried chicken. Its way quicker than using an oven, results in even cooking and also eliminates sogginess that occurs when reheating fried food in a microwave. To reheat crispy fried chicken place the chicken drumsticks or other cuts of chicken into the air fryer basket, ensure you do not overcrowd!  Set the temperature to 180c/350f and air fry for 5-7 minutes.

Can you fry frozen chicken in air fryer

You most definitely can air fry frozen chicken in the air fryer. If you would like to reheat frozen pieces of KFC style buttermilk chicken place the chicken pieces back into the air fryer straight from the freezer. Air fryer for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, at 180c/350f. 

Thank you so much for reading along. I hope you making your AIR FRYER KFC COPYCAT SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN!

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WANT MORE AIR FRYER MEALS? – TRY OUT THESE AMAZING RECIPES TOO! 

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cooked kfc chicken in a takeaway paper bucket

Air fryer KFC Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken Drumsticks

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Catherine
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8-9 Pieces of chicken
Print Recipe

Description

This Healthy Copycat KFC Southern Fried Chicken recipe will blow your mind! The Air Fryer Buttermilk marinated Chicken Drumsticks are juicy, crispy, tender and so easy to make! The BEST homemade Fried Chicken you will ever make!

Ingredients

Chicken Drumsticks:

  • Chicken drumsticks – 1kg /2.2pounds
  • Hot sauce* (Franks hot sauce works well) – 75ml / 1/3 cup
  • Egg – 1 x egg
  • Buttermilk – 250ml (if making your own buttermilk – 250ml / 1 cup of whole milk + the juice of 1 x lemon, leave for 5 minutes to thicken)
  • Vegetable oil for spraying the chicken

     

KFC Original Recipe Copycat Seasoned flour:

  • Plain/All-purpose flour – 272g / 2 x cups
  • Salt – 3 x teaspoons
  • Dried thyme – 2 x teaspoons
  • Dried Basil – 2x teaspoons
  • Oregano – 1 x teaspoon
  • Celery salt – 2 x teaspoons
  • Dried mustard – 1 x teaspoon
  • Paprika – 3 x teaspoons
  • Marjoram – 2 x teaspoons
  • Ground ginger – 1 x teaspoon
  • Ground white pepper – 2 x teaspoons
  • Ground black pepper – 2 x teaspoons

     

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat prep: Preheat the air fryer (if this setting is available on the model your using)
  2. Buttermilk Marinade: Add the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce to a large bowl. Whisk until combined then add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl, stir and set aside to use straight away or for the best results marinate overnight in the fridge. (Optional – Check out the recipe notes section further down the recipe card for instructions on how to make your own buttermilk)
  3. Making the Copycat KFC Original Recipe Seasoned Flour: Add flour into another large bowl alongside with the all the 11 KFC spices & salt to make the seasoned flour. Mix until all the spices have combined with the flour evenly. Add 4 x tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade to the seasoned flour and mix. Little crumb will form which will help with the overall crispiness’ of the chicken.
  4. Dredging the chicken: Using hands take one drumstick out of the buttermilk marinade, shake of the excess liquid, then add to the seasoned flour. Use your hands to cover the drumsticks with the flour, apply pressure to ensure the flour adheres fully. Shake off the excess and place into the air fryer basket.
  5. Air frying the chicken drumsticks: Spray the dredged chicken drumsticks generously with vegetable oil, then air fry for 10 minutes at 180c/350f . After the initial 10 minutes of cooking stop the air fryer and turn the chicken drumsticks over to crisp up the other side of the chicken. Spray the chicken with oil to cover any flour patches. Then air fry for a further 7-8 minutes at 180c/350f degrees until cooked
  6. Serving Suggestion: Remove the cooked pieces of chicken from the air fryer basket and serve straight away.

Notes

How to make homemade Buttermilk – (if making your own buttermilk – 250ml / 1 cup of whole milk + the juice of 1 x lemon, leave for 5 minutes to thicken)     

Hot sauce – I like to use the Franks Hot Sauce for the buttermilk marinade

  • Prep Time: 8
  • Cook Time: 17
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer, fried chicken, kfc recipe, buttermilk, southern fried chicken, copycat recipe, take out, take away, air fryer recipes