Air Fryer Extra Crispy Chicken Fillets Better Than Takeaway

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy some takeaway but don’t want the guilt? This crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe is about to become your new best mate.

We’re talking proper crunchy coating, juicy chicken, and flavour that will knock your socks off!

Brief Overview

This recipe is inspired by American comfort food. It delivers the goodness of fast food without the greasiness. It's a super easy air fryer chicken fillet recipe.

You'll have a delicious meal ready in under an hour. It will serve about 4 people.

Main Benefits

This recipe is a healthier alternative to fried chicken. Baking is a way to avoid deep fat frying. Air frying drastically reduces the oil needed while still delivering that satisfying crunch.

Perfect for a family dinner, a quick lunch, or even just a cheeky snack. It’s special because of its simple ingredients.

Its use of clever techniques mean maximum flavour and texture with minimum effort.

Ready to make some banging crispy chicken fillets? It is better than any air fryer fried chicken alternative you might find.

Let's get started with the ingredients you’ll need. It will be fun, I promise!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Air Fryer Chicken

What You'll Need

Here's a list of what you need to make this crispy chicken fillet air fryer dream a reality. Don't be intimidated, you probably have most of it already.

• For the Chicken: You’ll need 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. About 6 oz/170g each. Pounding them to ½-inch thickness is key. A bit of salt (1 teaspoon), pepper (½ teaspoon), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), and smoked paprika (1 teaspoon) for flavour. For an extra juicy kick, 1 cup of buttermilk for marination!
• For the Breading: Now for the magic. 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g), ½ cup cornstarch (60g), 1 tablespoon onion powder. Then, some herbs and spices: 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (½ teaspoon) if you're feeling brave. 2 large eggs, beaten, and 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs (40g) for that unbeatable crunch. Panko crusted air fryer chicken is so yummy.
• For Spraying: A little bit of olive oil spray or cooking spray will help with getting it golden brown.

Honestly, you could probably wing it with the spices. But trust me, this combo is a winner! This air fryer chicken breast recipe is so quick.

You will love how fast you can get dinner on the table.

Breading Like a Pro

Right then, let's get down to the proper breading technique. This is how to make a juicy air fryer chicken fillet .

It's not as hard as it looks, promise! You will have a best air fryer chicken coating following this process

1. First, prepare your chicken breasts, give them a good pound to even them out.
2. Next, set up your breading station with three shallow dishes.
3. Dredge the chicken through the flour mixture.
4. Dip it into the beaten egg, and finally press it firmly into the panko breadcrumbs.

Remember, the key is to make sure that air fryer chicken sandwich is well coated. This is to ensure maximum crispiness!

Air Frying: The Home Stretch

This is where the magic happens. Get your air fryer ready. Lightly spray the basket, and place your breaded chicken fillets in a single layer.

Don't overcrowd them, or you'll end up with soggy chicken. Spray the fillets with a bit more oil. This ensures that KFC style air fryer chicken golden colour.

Air fry at 380° F ( 190° C) for 12- 15 minutes. Don't forget to flip halfway through for even cooking.

Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165° F ( 74° C). Honestly, it’s so quick and easy! That means you have time for a cuppa while the air fryer works its magic.

There it is, your perfectly cooked, super crispy chicken fillets! Let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute.

Serve with some chips, a salad, and your favourite dipping sauce. Job's a good'un! I knew you could do it.

Ingredients & Equipment

So, you wanna make some seriously crispy chicken fillet air fryer magic, eh? Well, pull up a chair and let's talk shop.

You're gonna need a few bits and bobs, but nothing too fancy. I promise. Honestly, this easy air fryer chicken fillet recipe is so straightforward, it's practically foolproof.

Main Ingredients

Alright, down to brass tacks. Here's what you'll need for four servings of air fryer chicken sandwich goodness:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz/170g each). Make sure they are pounded to about ½-inch thickness.
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup buttermilk ( 240 ml ) optional marination step
• 1 cup all-purpose flour ( 120g )
• ½ cup cornstarch ( 60g )
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, if you fancy some KFC style air fryer chicken heat)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs ( 40g )
• Olive oil spray or cooking spray

Quality Check: The chicken breasts are the stars. Go for plump, pink ones. Avoid anything pale or slimy. The better the chicken, the juicier air fryer chicken fillet you'll end up with!

Seasoning Notes

Want that best air fryer chicken coating ? It's all about the spices. This combo of garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and oregano delivers a fantastic flavour punch.

Not a fan of thyme? Rosemary or sage work beautifully too. For a fiery kick, that ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper is your friend.

If you want something more savory try to add umami bomb aromatics like MSG, or mushroom powder.

Equipment Needed

Right then, tools of the trade:

• Air Fryer. Obvs!
• A few shallow dishes or pie plates for your breading assembly line.
• A meat mallet or even a trusty rolling pin will do the trick to flatten those chicken breasts.
• Tongs. Because nobody wants eggy, floury fingers.
• An instant read thermometer (optional). Honestly, it's worth having one, to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165° F ( 74° C) .

Don't have shallow dishes? Use plates! No meat mallet? Get creative! A heavy pan works in a pinch. You know what they say, if you don't have it, improvise! That's part of the fun of cooking, isn't it? No rules, just food.

Let's make some crispy chicken tenders air fryer tonight!

Alright, let's get this crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe cracking! Time to put on the chef's hat. We are going to whip up something that'll have everyone saying "Bob's your uncle, that's delicious!".

Ditch the greasy takeaway tonight! We're making homemade deliciousness!

Air Fryer Extra Crispy Chicken Fillets: Better Than Takeaway!

Honestly, this recipe is a game changer. Imagine unbelievably crispy chicken fillets straight out of your air fryer. Think KFC style air fryer chicken but healthier! This recipe is about juicy, tender chicken.

It's coated in a seasoned, perfectly crisp breading, ready in minutes. Even a student could manage this after a night out.

It's THAT easy air fryer chicken fillet recipe!

Prep Steps: Let's Get Organised!

First things first, let's get our mise en place sorted, shall we? We need everything ready before we start. This saves a ton of time.

It means we're not scrambling for ingredients halfway through. You know that feeling? Avoid it!

• Essential Mise en Place: Get those ingredients out. Measure everything. Pound that chicken. Seriously, this is crucial.
• Time Saving Tips: I like to set up my breading station in advance. Less stress, more success.
• Safety First!: Wash your hands. Keep raw chicken away from everything else. Don't wanna get sick, do we?

step-by-step: Crispy Chicken Magic

Okay, here's where the magic happens. Follow these steps, and you'll have golden crispy chicken tenders air fryer ready in no time!

1. Pound the Chicken: Get your chicken breasts flat. About ½-inch thick is perfect. This helps them cook evenly.
2. Season and Marinate: Give them a good rub with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Marinate in buttermilk. Put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, if you have time. Seriously it helps.
3. Breading Station: Set up three dishes. Flour mix, beaten eggs, then panko breadcrumbs.
4. Bread the Chicken: Dredge in flour, dip in egg, then press into panko. Make sure it's fully covered.
5. Air Fry Time: Preheat your air fryer to 380° F ( 190° C) . Spray the basket with oil. Place chicken in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the basket! Air fry for 12- 15 minutes , flipping halfway. We're looking for that golden brown color. Ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165° F ( 74° C) .
6. Rest and Enjoy: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This keeps it juicy.

Pro Tips: Secret Weapon Unlocked!

Here are some things I've learned along the way. These tips will take your chicken to the next level.

• Double Breading: For extra crunch, repeat the breading process. Flour, egg, panko, then repeat!
• Don't Overcrowd: This is the biggest mistake people make. Cook in batches for maximum crispiness. Air needs to circulate. I cannot stress this enough.
• make-ahead: Bread the chicken in advance. Then, keep it in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

Honestly, this recipe is so good! It's a great air fryer fried chicken alternative . Plus, it’s relatively healthy air fryer chicken recipe too.

It gives you that satisfying crunch and juicy interior. You will get a juicy air fryer chicken fillet every time.

Serve this up, and you'll have the best air fryer chicken coating . And if you use these fillets in a bun, you can create the perfect air fryer chicken sandwich .

There you have it! That's my ultimate crispy chicken fillet air fryer guide. Now go on and make some magic happen.

Recipe Notes to Make You a Crispy Chicken Boss!

Honestly, making this crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe is easier than ordering takeaway. I promise. But let's chat about a few things to make sure yours turns out absolutely banging.

We want that KFC style air fryer chicken crunch without all the extra grease, you know?

Ace Serving Suggestions

Picture this: a golden brown, juicy easy air fryer chicken fillet on a bed of crispy fries. Oh my gosh, yes! For plating, think simple: a drizzle of your fave sauce, maybe a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you're feeling fancy.

As for sides, forget boring. Try some homemade coleslaw. Or a wedge of lemon to squeeze over. For drinks, ice-cold lemonade is a winner! Or if you want something a bit more grown-up, a local craft beer works wonders.

Storage 101: Crispy Chicken Edition

Right, so you've got leftover panko crusted air fryer chicken (lucky you!). Pop it in the fridge within 2 hours, okay? It'll keep for about 3-4 days.

I wouldn't freeze it, though, the breading can get a bit soggy. Reheating is best done in the air fryer .

Few minutes at 350° F ( 175° C) should bring it back to life. Honestly, it is a great healthy air fryer chicken recipe.

Tweaks and Twists on the Classic

Fancy a change? No problem! For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and panko crumbs. Easy peasy. For a lighter version, you could also use ground almonds or polenta.

Also, in summer, throw in some lemon zest to the best air fryer chicken coating for a zesty vibe. During winter, try adding some sage and thyme for a more warming flavour.

Remember, chicken is so versatile! And you can tweak the recipe however you like to create the ultimate juicy air fryer chicken fillet.

Know Your Numbers: Nutrition Nutshell

Okay, I'm not a nutritionist, but here's the gist. This recipe is higher in protein than your average takeaway. You're cutting down on fat by air frying instead of deep frying.

Plus, you know exactly what's going into it! Remember, you control the ingredients, making this air fryer fried chicken alternative a winner in my book.

You can even turn it into an air fryer chicken sandwich for a tasty lunch. The ultimate crispy chicken tenders air fryer meal.

So, there you have it! Everything you need to nail this recipe. Don't be scared to experiment. Most importantly have fun and enjoy the process! You've got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make sure my crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe comes out truly crispy, not soggy?

The key to crispy chicken in the air fryer is all about circulation and prep! Make sure you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. Also, a generous spritz of olive oil or cooking spray before and halfway through cooking helps the breadcrumbs crisp up beautifully.

Finally, ensure your chicken is properly breaded, pressing the panko breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken.

Can I use frozen chicken fillets for this crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe?

While fresh chicken is recommended for the best results, you can use frozen fillets. Make sure they are fully thawed before starting the recipe to ensure even cooking and proper breading adherence. Pat them dry with paper towels after thawing to remove excess moisture, which will help with crispiness.

Remember, fully thawed is key to avoiding that dreaded soggy bottom!

What dipping sauces go best with air fryer crispy chicken fillets?

The dipping possibilities are endless, really! For a classic American vibe, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard are always a hit. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, try a spicy sriracha mayo, a tangy sweet chili sauce, or even a homemade blue cheese dip.

Get creative and find your perfect flavour match, like posh ing it up with some truffle mayo!

How long does leftover air fryer crispy chicken fillet last, and what's the best way to reheat it?

Leftover crispy chicken fillet will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat and maintain some of that crispiness, the air fryer is your best bet. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and air fry for a few minutes until heated through.

Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven, but the air fryer will yield a crispier result than a microwave.

Is this crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe healthy? What about nutritional info?

Air frying generally makes for a healthier option compared to deep frying, as it uses significantly less oil. However, the calorie and fat content will still depend on the ingredients used.

This recipe, per serving, contains approximately 350-400 calories, 40-45g of protein, 15-20g of fat, and 20-25g of carbohydrates (estimates will vary). You can further reduce the fat content by using leaner chicken breasts and a light spray of oil.

Can I adapt this crispy chicken fillet air fryer recipe for different dietary needs, like gluten-free or vegetarian?

Absolutely! For a gluten-free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives. For a vegetarian option, you can use thick slices of halloumi cheese or firm tofu, pressing out excess water before breading.

Adjust cooking times accordingly based on the chosen substitute, and ensure the internal temperature is safe for consumption.