Broasted Chicken Recipe in Air Fryer: Crispy Perfection Every Time

I’ve perfected a crispy broasted chicken recipe using my air fryer, and I’m excited to share it with you. This method delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and cleanup.

By combining a simple marinade with precise air fryer cooking, you’ll achieve golden chicken with a tender interior. Let’s get started with this game-changing recipe that serves up to four people.

Ingredients for Broasted Chicken Recipe in Air Fryer

Simple ingredients for restaurant-quality broasted chicken in your air fryer, serving four people.

The chicken matters here. Whole chicken gives you that perfect crispy-tender combo. Most grocery stores have them—grab one that’s about 3-4 lbs. For the marinade, full-fat buttermilk is key. It tenderizes and adds that subtle tang. If you don’t have buttermilk, make a substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar—let it sit 5 minutes.

No smoked paprika? Regular paprika works, but add a splash of liquid smoke to the marinade for that deep flavor. Want more heat? Bump the cayenne or add some hot sauce to the buttermilk. The flour can be all-purpose or bread flour for extra crispiness. If you’re out of garlic powder, use minced fresh garlic in the marinade.

This recipe keeps beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes to crisp it back up. The flour mixture? Keeps for 6 months in a cool, dry place.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Broasted Chicken in Air Fryer

Here’s the method that delivers perfectly crispy broasted chicken using your air fryer every time.

Step 1: Marinate the Whole Chicken in Buttermilk

In a large bowl, combine the 1 whole Whole Chicken and 1 cup Buttermilk. Make sure the chicken is fully submerged in the buttermilk. If necessary, you can cut the chicken into smaller pieces to ensure everything is coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

The acidity in the buttermilk will help tenderize the chicken and prepare it for the crispy coating. When you’re ready to proceed, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting any excess liquid drip off.

Step 2: Prepare the Spice Mix and Dredge the Chicken

In a large bowl, mix together the 1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour, 2 tbsp Paprika, 1 tbsp Garlic Powder, 1 tbsp Onion Powder, 1 tsp Salt, 0.5 tsp Black Pepper, and 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper. This spice mix is what gives your broasted chicken that signature flavor.

Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well. You should have a nice, even coating on all pieces.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While it’s heating up, spray the basket with 2 tbsp Olive Oil to prevent sticking. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

Cook the chicken for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the exterior is golden brown and crispy. Repeat with any remaining chicken pieces.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once all the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. Sprinkle with 0.25 cup Fresh Parsley for a fresh, herbaceous note. Serve immediately with 4 pieces Lemon Wedges on the side for squeezing over the top. The citrus will help cut through the richness of the fried chicken.

Enjoy your perfectly crispy broasted chicken straight from your air fryer!

Dietary Considerations for This Recipe

Making It Keto-Friendly

To make this broasted chicken keto-friendly, replace the all-purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour. Be aware that coconut flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to adjust the ratio. The rest of the recipe remains the same, as the main protein is chicken, which is naturally keto-friendly.

Gluten-Free Considerations

This recipe is easily made gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that contains rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour for the best results. The buttermilk marinade already makes the chicken tender, so the gluten-free coating works beautifully.

Dairy-Free Modifications

For a dairy-free version, replace the buttermilk with a mixture of non-dairy milk (such as almond or soy milk) and white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle before using. You can also use dairy-free yogurt as an alternative to buttermilk.

Low-Sodium Adjustments

To reduce sodium, use low-sodium salt or reduce the amount of salt in the spice mix. You can also omit the cayenne pepper if you’re watching your sodium intake, as some brands can be quite salty. The flavor will still be robust from the other spices.

Other Dietary Considerations

If you’re looking for a paleo version, use arrowroot powder instead of flour for coating. For a whole30 compliant version, skip the flour coating entirely and season the chicken well after marinating in compliant ingredients. You can also experiment with different spice mixes to change the flavor profile while keeping it compliant.