Air Fryer Fried Chicken (Gluten-Free)

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 couple of GoWISE USA Air Fryers, I was a bit skeptical. I was however intrigued because I know Air Frying is extremely popular.

Ingredient Notes

• cornmeal - Cornmeal gives the chicken its golden crust, and it keeps the recipe gluten-free. You can also use gluten-free bread crumbs, or any bread crumbs you'd like. If keeping it gluten-free isn't important, Panko bread crumbs are a good choice.
• gluten-free all-purpose flour - Use a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour. This is for the first light coating on the chicken, so the egg has something to cling to.
• egg - Helps the cornmeal mixture stick to the chicken.
• lemon zest and fresh thyme - I love the thyme with the lemon, but you can use any fresh herbs you like. Oregano and/or rosemary would also be lovely.
• smoked paprika and garlic powder - These spices add a savory, subtly smoky flavor.
• boneless, skinless chicken breasts - This recipe uses 2 large (about 10-ounce) breasts.
• olive oil spray - A spray is the best way to use just a minimal amount of oil for the air fryer.

(See recipe card below for quantities.)

How to Make it

- Add the cornmeal, 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 cornmeal mixture and gently press down so that it adheres to it, and do the same thing on the other side, and edges.

- Line the bottom of the air fryer with foil and lightly spray the rack with olive oil. Place the coated chicken on the rack and then spray the top surface of each one with the olive oil.

- Air fry at 400°F for about 20 minutes (I used the Preset Chicken setting on my GoWISE basket air fryer), or at 430°F for about 25 minutes in the larger GoWISE air fryer. If you're using a different air fryer, start checking a few minutes early, since models vary.

- The chicken is done when it's cooked through, with no pink in the thickest part. If you use an instant-read thermometer, remove it at 160°F (insert it sideways into the thickest part of the breast). Let it rest for about 5 minutes; carryover cooking will bring the internal temperature to about 165°F.

- Let the air fryer cool down and wait for the indicator that it’s ready to open. Serve!

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 rapid air and targeted heat cooks foods quickly and efficiently.

How is an air fryer different than a convection oven?

• An air fryer holds food in a much smaller space, and the air circulates faster than in a convection oven, so food cooks more quickly.

Do You Need Buttermilk for Air Fryer Fried Chicken?

No, this recipe doesn't use buttermilk at all. A light coating of flour and a dip in beaten egg is what helps the cornmeal crust stick to the chicken.

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 truly delicious.

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.

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). It turns out just as crispy as it does in a pan, but without the mess or need to drain it on paper towels before serving.

More Must-Try Gluten-Free Fried Chicken Recipes

And if you want to get really creative with your air fryer, try Pumpkin Glazed Air Fryer Donut Holes.

I hope you love this recipe as much as my family and I do!

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