When it comes to making restaurant-style fried chicken, the air fryer is the way to go! This crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a tasty, easy-to-make dish that you can serve up for dinner any night of the week. Plus, it’s a great way to get your family to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive in!
Introduction
Fried chicken is a classic dish that many of us love to eat, but unfortunately, it’s not necessarily the healthiest. That’s why we love making our own fried chicken recipes in the air fryer. Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and it produces a delicious, crispy chicken every time. Plus, you don’t need to worry about a bunch of oil splattering everywhere. It’s an easy, one-pot way to enjoy your favorite fried chicken dish.
This recipe for crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer is one of our favorites. The chicken is seasoned with a delicious blend of herbs and spices, and then it’s air-fried to perfection. The result is a golden, crispy chicken that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Serve it up with your favorite sides for a delicious dinner that everyone can enjoy.
Benefits of Air Frying
Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about the benefits of air frying. Air frying is a great way to make healthier versions of your favorite dishes without sacrificing flavor. Since you don’t need to use a ton of oil, the dish is naturally lower in fat and calories. Plus, air-frying is a lot easier and less messy than deep-frying. You don’t need to worry about the oil splattering everywhere, and you don’t need to use as much oil.
Air-frying is also a great way to get crispier results than you would get with traditional frying. The hot air circulates around the food, creating a crunchy crust and sealing in the moisture. The result is a delicious, crispy chicken that’s sure to satisfy your craving for fried chicken.
What You Need
Now that you know why air-frying is a great option for fried chicken, let’s talk about what you need for this recipe. The ingredients are simple and easy to find in the supermarket. Here’s what you need:
- Cut 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
You’ll also need an air fryer, of course. Any air fryer will work, but we prefer a larger one with a large basket so that you can fit more chicken in at once.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make the perfect batch of crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer.
Start by prepping the chicken. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, and cumin.
Pour the seasoning mix over the chicken and mix everything together until the chicken is well-coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 390 °F.
Place the chicken cubes in the air fryer basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and crispy.
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and serve it with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer turns out perfectly every time:
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer before you add the chicken. If the air fryer isn’t hot enough, the chicken won’t get crispy.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. If you put too much chicken in at once, it won’t cook evenly.
- If you want extra-crispy chicken, you can sprinkle a little extra paprika or cayenne pepper over the chicken before cooking.
- If you want to make the dish even healthier, you can use a mixture of olive oil and Greek yogurt instead of just olive oil.
- Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. This will help the chicken cook evenly.
What to Serve with Banquet Fried Chicken
Now that you know how to make the perfect batch of crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer, let’s talk about what to serve it with. This dish is perfect with a side of mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. You can also serve it with some classic sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or macaroni and cheese. The options are endless!
How to Reheat Leftovers
Leftovers can be reheated effortlessly in the air fryer. Just preheat the air fryer to 350°F and add the chicken. Cook for 4–5 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy and heated through.
How to Adapt the Recipe
This recipe for crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer is delicious as-is, but you can also adapt it to fit your tastes. If you want to add a little extra spice, you can add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. You can also switch up the herbs and spices to make the dish spicier or milder.
FAQs
Before we wrap up, let’s answer a few commonly asked questions about this recipe.
Q: What type of chicken should I use?
A: We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use chicken thighs or wings.
Q: Is air-fried chicken healthier than deep-fried chicken?
A: Yes! Air-frying uses significantly less oil than deep-frying, so the dish is naturally lower in fat and calories.
Q: How long does it take to air fry chicken?
A: It usually takes 8-10 minutes to air fry chicken, depending on the size of the pieces.
Q: Can I make this recipe with other meats?
A: Yes! You can use this same seasoning mix with pork chops, fish, or even vegetables.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our recipe for crispy banquet fried chicken in an air fryer. It’s a delicious, easy-to-make dish that your whole family is sure to love. Plus, it’s a great way to get your family to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. What are you waiting for? Give it a try right now!