Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Recipe photo may include foods and ingredients that are not a part of this recipe and not included in the nutrition analysis.
Source: The Easy Air Fryer Cookbook. Recipe Credit: . Photo Credit: Renee Comet.
Summary

Is it possible to make fried chicken diabetes-friendly? Absolutely! Especially if you have an air fryer. This small appliance "fries" food with hot circulating air, so you can create the crispy, crunchy exterior or frying with a fraction of the fat and calories from traditional deep frying. This recipe creates juicy, flavorful fried chicken by marinating the chicken in buttermilk, then coating it in a cornflake crust. Then the air fryer works its magic and delivers this fried chicken that's crispy, tender, and loaded with flavor! Top this chicken with a reduced-fat Creamy Gravy and pair with a side of Southern Collard Greens for the ultimate southern comfort meal!

Looking for more diabetes-friendly air fryer recipes? Check out this article. 

  • Prep time
    25 min
  • Servings
    4 Servings
  • Serving size
    1 (4 ozs) piece of chicken
Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

4 Servings

  • Serving Size
    1 (4 ozs) piece of chicken
  • Amount per serving Calories 160

  • Total Fat 3.5g
    • Saturated Fat 0.8g
    • Trans Fat 0g
  • Cholesterol 65mg
  • Sodium 190mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 7g
    • Dietary Fiber 1g
    • Total Sugars 0g
  • Protein 24g
  • Potassium 230mg
  • Phosphorus 185mg

Choices/Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 3 Lean protein

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • low-fat buttermilk
    1/3 cup
  • hot sauce
    1/4 tsp
  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise to make 4 equal portions)
    1 lbs
  • corn flakes
    6 tbsp
  • stone-ground cornmeal
    3 tbsp
  • garlic powder
    1 tsp
  • paprika
    1 tsp
  • salt
    1/4 tsp
  • coarse-ground black pepper
    1/4 tsp
  • nonstick cooking spray
    1
Directions

Directions

  1. In a small, deep bowl, stir together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Place the chicken in the buttermilk mixture. Allow to stand 15 minutes.

  2. Place the cornflakes into the work bowl of a food processor. Process until coarse crumbs form. Add the cornmeal, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and pulse until evenly mixed. Pour the crumbs into a shallow bowl. (if you don't have a food processor, you can crush the cornflakes in a plastic bag with a rolling pin.)

  3. Drain the chicken, allowing the excess buttermilk to drip back into bowl. Coat the chicken pieces evenly in the cornflake mixture. Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack.

  4. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Spray with nonstick cooking spray for 2 seconds (do not crowd the chicken; cook in batches if all the chicken doesn't fit). Set the temperature to 375°F and air fry for 7 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces. Air fry for an additional 7–10 minutes or until the chicken is done and a meat thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F.

Reviews
  • Not recommended

    Please include non recommended reviews. I am trying so hard to convince my husband this is a "do-able" way to eat. I am a retired cook/Baker so I know my way around the kitchen. That being said I did like that the spray on the chicken crisped up the chicken. The spices need so much work! Paprika as the main flavor? May I suggest Mrs. Dash with a slight amount of seasoning salt. The garlic was good but fresh would have helped as well as dried onions. As it stands we ate our steamed vegetables and salad. Could not eat the chicken and now my battle is a little more up hill with my husbands diet.

  • Recommended

    Made this last night and it turned out awesome. very crispy outside and moist inside. I used the recipe as printed, but I did add some Old Bay Seasoning to the dry mixture. I liked the addition. I will be making this recipe again and often.

  • Recommended

    Delicious! I about doubled the coating materials (to make enough for the whole family) and used chicken thighs instead of breasts. I chopped them up into small chunks so they were more like chicken nuggets. Followed the air fryer instructions and they came out perfectly. A satisfying crunch on the outside and juicy on the inside. Even my very picky husband said they were amazing asked for them again.

  • Recommended

    I made this last night and I loved it, I did increase the ingredients from what the recipe call, I did not think that it would be enough to coat all 4 chicken breast , I also used regular yellow corn meal because I could not find the stone ground. I also increased the cook time on the last two pieces I cooked because I very crisp chicken. It is a good recipe, and I will be making it again the taste is great

  • Recommended

    although it sounds really really great there is 2 problems for me with this recipe (1) i can't handle spicy food (2) not real keen on garlic

  • Recommended

    Tastes great. I didn't have corn meal on hand so substituded Frito corn scoops instead. The entire family loved it!