Air Fryer Fried Chicken is gluten-free and seasoned with lemon and herbs. With next to no oil, it's crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Perfect!
This is a sponsored post brought to you by GoWISE USA. All opinions are my own, based on my experience with the product. Thank you for supporting my sponsors, who help make Cooking On The Weekends possible.
I work with – and love – traditional cooking equipment and methods.
So when I was given a GoWISE USA Air Fryer (the Touch Screen 3.7-Quart 7-in-1), I was a bit skeptical. I was however intrigued because I knew Air Frying was becoming a big cooking trend.
How does the air fryer work?
- Air fryers have a fan that circulates hot air around the food at a high speed. The combination of this rapid air, and targeted heat, the air fryer cooks foods quickly and efficiently.
How is an air fryer different than a convection oven?
- Air fryers have a smaller area where food is held, and the air circulates at a higher speed than in a convection oven. Therefore, in an air fryer, it takes less time to cook foods.
Beyond fried chicken, what can you cook in an air fryer?
- Almost anything -- from bacon and rack of lamb, to cakes and pizza. It’s not just for "fried” foods!
While it’s possible to cook a variety of foods in the air fryer, my goal was to make something that's normally cooked in oil, by deep frying and have it taste really good!
I’m happy to report that my Air Fryer Fried Chicken is not only really good — it's delicious!
What's in this recipe?
- chicken
- corn meal
- thyme
- smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- lemon zest
- salt, pepper
When I hit "start" on the screen, I wondered if the chicken would actually look and taste fried.
Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I saw how crispy the “crust” became. And even more so when I cut into the chicken to find it very juicy -- super succulent, in fact.
Recipe Substitutions
- I used cornmeal in my recipe, to keep in gluten-free. You can use gluten-free bread crumbs also, and of course, any breadcrumbs you’d like to. If keeping it gluten-free isn’t important, I’d suggest Panko.
- I love the thyme with the lemon, but you can use any fresh herbs you like. Oregano and/or rosemary would also be lovely.
Benefits to Cooking in the Air Fryer
- Generally, 75% to 80% less oil is required. (In the case of my Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe, about 90% less!) I found that the best way to use a minimal amount of oil in the air fryer is to use a spray. I used an olive oil spray, which worked perfectly to evenly coat the basket and food.
- It’s incredibly easy to clean.
- There's no preheating, and cooking times are fast.
Making Air Fryer Fried Chicken
When I set the cooking time and temperature, I felt like I was taking a risk because I rarely put exact times on my recipes. I say, “about” followed by the estimated time. (Things are done when they’re done, not when a certain amount of time is up.)
However, when I was making my gluten-free Air Fryer Fried Chicken, I used the Chicken Preset, and it came out perfectly! I'd been expecting to have to play around with the time, but I didn't.
Did the air fryer know how thick it was? How much it weighed? I can’t tell you for sure, but what I can tell you is that for 2, 8 to 10-ounce, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the Preset Chicken time and temperature of 20 minutes at 400°F, was spot on.
This should definitely be one of your top GoWISE Air Fryer recipes!
Storing the Air Fryer
It’s small enough to sit on the counter or be stored without taking up too much room. (Mine fits perfectly on a shelf in the pantry.)
- It has 2 removable parts, and both are dishwasher safe, but I found there’s no need because they clean up so easily and quickly int he sink.
- It comes with a small book of air fryer recipes.
- There are 7 Presets: Fries/Chips, Meat, Shrimp, Cake, Chicken, Steak, Snacks and Fish.
Side note: I've also been making bacon in the air fryer. Sure it's greasy in and of itself -- but all of the fat drips into the pot (lined with foil for easy clean-up) as it drains through the basket. It comes out just as crispy as it does in a pan, but without the mess or need to drain it on paper towels before serving.
And now, let's try the oh-so-delicious gluten-free Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe!
More mouth-watering air fryer recipes:
More gluten-Free Fried Chicken Recipes:
Air Fryer Fried Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- ½ cup corn meal
- 2 tablspoons fresh lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup gluten-free all purpose flour
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 large (approximately 10-ounce) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Add the corn meal, lemon zest, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper to a large, shallow bowl. Mix to blend evenly and set aside.
- Add the flour to a second large, shallow bowl, and the egg to a third.
- Sprinkle the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper, and one at a time, coat them with the flour lightly and evenly. Then dip them into the egg, being sure they’re well coated. Now place each breast on top of the corn meal mixture and gently press down so that it adheres to it, and do the same thing on the other side, and edges.
- Remove the basket from the pot of the air fryer, and line the pot with foil. Return the basket and spray the bottom of it with the olive oil. Place the coated chicken breasts in the basket and then spray the top surface with the olive oil.
- For the GoWISE USA Air Fryer, use the Preset Chicken setting for 20 minutes at 400° F.
- Let the air fryer cool down and wait for the indicator that it’s ready to open.
- Serve!
NUTRITION
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Diana
Chicken looks PERFECTLY cooked! Now i'm thinking that i need to get myself an air fryer.
Jill
That sliced chicken looks perfect! I always wondered how an air fryer worked. Maybe I need to invest in one.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
I'm certain I'd make your chicken recipe first...who could resist lemon fried chicken? No doubt spuds would come next.
Judy Lyness
Looks fantastic. Love lemon fried chicken.
Christina Conte
This is what I've been waiting for: a review on air frying from someone I trust! Sounds absolutely brilliant, Valentina! That chicken looks and sounds perfect, so I can just imagine all the other things I normally deep fry or even pan fry being cooked in the air fryer! My friend was telling me that she got one the other day, but I think she'd only tried one thing in it so far.
Thanks so much for this post, it's so helpful. 🙂
Jayme
Yummy! My hubby cooks french fries in a pan with oil. This would be much less calories! 🙂
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I don't have an air fryer, but the way you describe it, it makes me think of a convection oven. Is it the same concept or does it work differently? Entering the contest!
valentina
Hi Lisa, Yes, it's totally similar to a convection over, but air fryers have a smaller area where food is held, and the air circulates at a higher speed than in a convection oven. Therefore, in an air fryer, it takes less time to cook foods.
Jeanne @JollyTomato
This looks AMAZING! I'm hooked! Would love to try it!
Sara
Your "fried" chicken looks perfect! Thank you for your review. I'm dying to try one of these but do worry about the space for another gadget. I'm also so intrigued by the instantpot 😉
Alan Marvin
Sounds like it would be a healthy way to cook. I'd first make the lemon chicken.....that's a great recipe.
sippitysup
Like you I'm a traditionalist, but this device looks very interesting indeed. GREG
Hannah
Oh gosh, this looks amazing...do want!
Anna
This is my first ever air fryer recipe. Loved it!
valentina
Hi Anna, That's awesome! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dan
This was my first air fryer recipe and I’m in love! Probably the best gluten free fried chicken I’ve ever had! Thank you for the detailed recipe.
valentina
Thanks so much, Dan! You made my day. 🙂 I'm so happy you tried the recipe and loved it. ~Valentina
Kelly | Foodtasia
It looks so crispy and juicy, Valentina! I still need to get one!
valentina
Thanks, Kelly! 🙂 ~Valentina
Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!
I've resisted the air fryer, taking it to be just another fad - but man, that chicken looks fantastic!
valentina
Thanks, Jeff. It's pretty cool if you're looking to cook with less fat and still have delicious food. And for a super easy clean up. Otherwise, I'm an old fashioned cooking girl. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So freaking golden and crispy, Valentina! Can't believe this is made in an air fryer! It's not even lunch time and totally craving (and could eat) for breakfast right about now 😉
valentina
Yes, so cool how crispy it gets in an air fryer. Enjoy and thank you! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kim Lange
Sounds out of this world yummy! We have an air fryer and always looking for recipes! Thank you!
valentina
Hope you love it. Thanks, Kim. 🙂 ~Valentina
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I was just talking with a friend yesterday about Instant Pots and Air Fryers...I'll have to share your post with her.
valentina
That would be great! Thank you Karen. 🙂 ~Valentina
cathy
That chicken looks better than traditionally fried!