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Air Fryer Copycat KFC chicken on a plate ready to serve.

Air Fryer Copycat KFC Chicken Recipe

Jennifer
This easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Chicken is a keeper! Perfectly crispy chicken with just the right amount of spice with the perfect blend of seasonings.
3.75 from 158 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 698 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken legs
  • 1/2 cup panko
  • 1/2 cup flour all purpose
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Instructions
 

  • Add chicken legs to the buttermilk and allow to soak for at least 30 minutes.
  • Combine panko, flour, and seasonings to a bowl. Mix well.
  • Remove chicken from the buttermilk and place in a separate bowl.
  • Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, into the buttermilk, and back into the flour mixture.
  • Lay chicken legs on a sheet as you coat them.
  • Place a liner into the air fryer to help keep the chicken from sticking.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees.
  • Spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil and then place in the air fryer once it has preheated..
  • Cook the chicken legs for 10 minutes, then flip and spray with oil again before cooking for the remaining 10 minutes. Make sure the temperature of the chicken has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit before removing it from the Air Fryer.
  • Serve warm!

Notes

  1. Save any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  2. If you don't have buttermilk on hand, make the buttermilk by adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to the milk. 
  3. If you want a lighter coat with less crispy skin, skip the buttermilk, flour, and panko. Add 1/2 cup of olive oil to a sealable bag with the chicken legs, and then add the seasoning. (You might want to also half the seasonings or it will be extra spicy!) Once the chicken is coated with olive oil and seasoning, cook as directed. 

Nutrition

Calories: 698kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 48gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 250mgSodium: 948mgPotassium: 689mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 479IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 3mg

*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you're using with each recipe.

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