9 Mouthwatering Air Fryer Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout

By
Derek Jacobson
·

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When you want takeout but would rather eat at home, these air fryer chicken recipes are the answer. You get the crispy, saucy flavors you love without the extra grease or the long wait for delivery. This list has 9 chicken dinners: crunchy nuggets, breaded chicken breasts, and drumsticks with buffalo, teriyaki, or garlic Parmesan flavor. Most are done in 25 minutes or less, so dinner is on the table before a delivery order would show up.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Servings

4

servings

There’s something about BBQ chicken that just feels like summer, no matter what time of year it is. And when you can make it in the air fryer? Even better. This recipe is all about juicy, flavorful chicken with a sticky, caramelized BBQ glaze, without the hassle of firing up the grill.

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Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Directions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and rub them with olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and brush it generously with BBQ sauce. Cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Brush with additional BBQ sauce and cook for 1 more minute to caramelize the glaze.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
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Why Air Fryer Dinners Beat Takeout

Most takeout favorites are fried, and the air fryer is the closest thing to a deep fryer you can safely use on a weeknight. Hot air moves fast around the food, so breading turns golden and chicken skin crisps up with just a spoonful of oil. You get the crunch without a pot of hot grease on the stove.

It is often faster, too. By the time a delivery order shows up, most of these recipes are already done. Drumsticks take about 20 to 25 minutes, and chicken breast and nuggets are ready in 10 to 15. You also control the salt, the sauce, and the portion size, and it costs a lot less than ordering in for the whole family.

How to Pick the Right Recipe From This List

If you miss fast food chicken, start with the Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or the Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast. The Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast with Mayo Coating is another good pick. The thin layer of mayo helps the crumbs stick and keeps the meat juicy.

Craving wings? The drumsticks are your answer. The Spicy Buffalo Air Fryer Drumsticks taste like a sports bar order, the Teriyaki Air Fryer Drumsticks bring a sweet and salty takeout flavor, and the Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Drumsticks are a mild choice for kids. The Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks are the plain version you can pair with any dipping sauce.

Want dinner in one basket? The Air Fryer Chicken Breast with Potatoes cooks the main and the side together. And for a smoky, saucy plate, the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast is quick and kid-friendly.

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken

  • Preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes. Food that goes into a hot basket browns better.
  • Cook in a single layer with space between pieces. A crowded basket steams the food instead of crisping it.
  • Flip or shake the basket halfway through so every side gets crisp.
  • Mist breaded chicken with a little oil spray before cooking. Dry crumbs stay pale and dusty.
  • Toss drumsticks in buffalo or teriyaki sauce after cooking, or add it in the last 2 to 3 minutes, so the sugar does not burn.
  • Check with a thermometer. All chicken is safe at 165°F. Drumsticks are more tender if you cook them to about 175°F.

Takeout-Style Sides to Serve

To make it feel like a real takeout night, add a simple side. Frozen fries or tater tots can go in the air fryer right after the chicken. Steamed rice goes well with the teriyaki drumsticks, and celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese are a must with buffalo. A bagged salad kit or a quick coleslaw rounds out almost any of these plates.

Air Fryer Dinner FAQ

What size air fryer do I need for a family?
A basket that holds 5 to 6 quarts can cook enough chicken for 3 to 4 people at once. With a smaller air fryer, cook in batches and keep the first batch warm in a 200°F oven.

How do I reheat leftovers so they stay crispy?
Skip the microwave. Put leftover chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

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9 Mouthwatering Air Fryer Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout

When you want takeout but would rather eat at home, these air fryer chicken recipes are the answer. You get the crispy, saucy flavors you love without the extra grease or the long wait for delivery. This list has 9 chicken dinners: crunchy nuggets, breaded chicken breasts, and drumsticks with buffalo, teriyaki, or garlic Parmesan flavor. Most are done in 25 minutes or less, so dinner is on the table before a delivery order would show up.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
Pin
Print

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Servings

4

servings

There’s something about BBQ chicken that just feels like summer, no matter what time of year it is. And when you can make it in the air fryer? Even better. This recipe is all about juicy, flavorful chicken with a sticky, caramelized BBQ glaze, without the hassle of firing up the grill.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Directions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and rub them with olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and brush it generously with BBQ sauce. Cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Brush with additional BBQ sauce and cook for 1 more minute to caramelize the glaze.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
Pinterest

Like this recipe?

Follow @dinnerendeavor on Pinterest

Why Air Fryer Dinners Beat Takeout

Most takeout favorites are fried, and the air fryer is the closest thing to a deep fryer you can safely use on a weeknight. Hot air moves fast around the food, so breading turns golden and chicken skin crisps up with just a spoonful of oil. You get the crunch without a pot of hot grease on the stove.

It is often faster, too. By the time a delivery order shows up, most of these recipes are already done. Drumsticks take about 20 to 25 minutes, and chicken breast and nuggets are ready in 10 to 15. You also control the salt, the sauce, and the portion size, and it costs a lot less than ordering in for the whole family.

How to Pick the Right Recipe From This List

If you miss fast food chicken, start with the Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or the Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast. The Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast with Mayo Coating is another good pick. The thin layer of mayo helps the crumbs stick and keeps the meat juicy.

Craving wings? The drumsticks are your answer. The Spicy Buffalo Air Fryer Drumsticks taste like a sports bar order, the Teriyaki Air Fryer Drumsticks bring a sweet and salty takeout flavor, and the Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Drumsticks are a mild choice for kids. The Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks are the plain version you can pair with any dipping sauce.

Want dinner in one basket? The Air Fryer Chicken Breast with Potatoes cooks the main and the side together. And for a smoky, saucy plate, the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast is quick and kid-friendly.

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken

  • Preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes. Food that goes into a hot basket browns better.
  • Cook in a single layer with space between pieces. A crowded basket steams the food instead of crisping it.
  • Flip or shake the basket halfway through so every side gets crisp.
  • Mist breaded chicken with a little oil spray before cooking. Dry crumbs stay pale and dusty.
  • Toss drumsticks in buffalo or teriyaki sauce after cooking, or add it in the last 2 to 3 minutes, so the sugar does not burn.
  • Check with a thermometer. All chicken is safe at 165°F. Drumsticks are more tender if you cook them to about 175°F.

Takeout-Style Sides to Serve

To make it feel like a real takeout night, add a simple side. Frozen fries or tater tots can go in the air fryer right after the chicken. Steamed rice goes well with the teriyaki drumsticks, and celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese are a must with buffalo. A bagged salad kit or a quick coleslaw rounds out almost any of these plates.

Air Fryer Dinner FAQ

What size air fryer do I need for a family?
A basket that holds 5 to 6 quarts can cook enough chicken for 3 to 4 people at once. With a smaller air fryer, cook in batches and keep the first batch warm in a 200°F oven.

How do I reheat leftovers so they stay crispy?
Skip the microwave. Put leftover chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.