Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken — Who does not love fried chicken? It is a staple of the American diet and has been for decades. However, we all know that deep frying adds unnecessary calories and fats to our diets, so how can we get that delicious taste without guilt? Good news! The air fryer is here! This new kitchen gadget allows you to fry food in just one tablespoon of oil, making this recipe healthier than traditional methods. Give it a try when you are craving some crispy goodness!

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken
Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & I will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from me on occasion!

This is one of the easiest and tastiest chicken dishes I have made in the air fryer. It takes minimal ingredients, and it’s a great time-saver on a weeknight when you are heading to kid’s activities or running home late.

My kids love traditional fried chicken, but it’s not that healthy, and it’s greasy. Now comes in the air fryer. You can get the same flavor without all of the added fat and cholesterol.

The flavor of the chicken is fantastic, and I have found that making chicken in the air fryer keeps it moist and delicious. 

The coating on this chicken comes out nice and crispy, while the inside is nice and moist. And since the cost of drumsticks is low, chicken becomes a nice budget-friendly meal. You can also make large batches, and it serves well at family reunions, BBQs, holidays, and just for big family dinners.  It also stays well; if you want to make a batch on Sunday night, it will keep well until Tuesday. So, it’s a keeper for a make-ahead meal.

Just a word of the Kentucky Kernel, it’s a fantastic product that comes in a massive line of flavors (I don’t know if many people know this), but they have tasted from the original, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, Garlic & Herb, and Gluten-Free.

What Is Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken Seasoning Mix?

Kentucky Kernel Seasoning Mix is a blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic. It can be mixed with flour to make your own fried chicken seasoning mix or cook other dishes like mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, or baked beans. Kentucky Kernel Seasoning Mix is gluten-free and comes in an 8 oz package that works well with air fryer chicken coating.

Kentucky Kernel Seasoning Mix has been around since 18100, but they’re still using their original recipe! This means no MSG or artificial flavoring has ever been added to the mix, which are two ingredients many people are trying to avoid these days.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

 

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

How To Make Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken (2)

Add your chicken pieces to a large bowl, cover with milk or buttermilk, and let soak for about 30 minutes.

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

Pour the seasoning mix into a large Ziploc Bag. Drain the milk (buttermilk) from the chicken, and then dip the chicken into the Kentucky Kernel Seasoning Mix. Spray your basket with cooking spray, and then place your covered chicken into the basket. Set the temperature to 370 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 12- 15 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Note: To make your chicken crispy spray your chicken with cooking spray.

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

HOW MANY MINUTES DO I COOK FRIED CHICKEN?

Depending on how thick your chicken is and what chicken part you are cooking, the average time is 15 to 20 minutes. The thicker chicken parts will need more cooking time.

For best results, use a meat thermometer and check the thickest part of the chicken, reaching 165 degrees F.

WHY DOES THE BREADING ON MY FRIED CHICKEN FALL OFF? HOW CAN I AVOID THAT?

My friend just served me fried chicken, and I was so excited to dig in, but it quickly turned into disappointment. The breading on the chicken fell off as soon as I picked up a piece with my fingers.

This is one of those questions that everybody has asked at least once or twice in their cooking careers! Luckily for you, now you will never have this problem again because by reading this post, you will know exactly what to do when your breading falls off…

  • Milk or Buttermilk: Make sure to drain the buttermilk from the chicken. You are trying to get as much off as possible, so the breading does not clump.
  • Use Your Hands: After you drain the milk/buttermilk, add your chicken to the bag of seasoning. Use your hands and pat the breading on, so it will stay.
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Liner: My chicken coating sticks better if you use a piece of parchment paper or a reusable silicone air fryer liner. This way, the breading is not sticking to the air fryer basket.
  • Tongs: Use tongs to flip your chicken. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to flip halfway during the cooking process.
  • Crowding: For best results, you do not want your chicken to be touching another piece of chicken. Otherwise, the coating will come off.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes:

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken

3.84 from 37 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken — Who does not love fried chicken? It is a staple of the American diet and has been for decades. However, we all know that deep frying adds unnecessary calories and fats to our diets, so how can we get that delicious taste without guilt? Good news! The air fryer is here! This new kitchen gadget allows you to fry food in just one tablespoon of oil, making this recipe healthier than traditional methods. Give it a try when you are craving some crispy goodness!

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk
  • 1 pound chicken thighs, breast, wings, legs or drumsticks
  • 1 package Kentucky Kernel Seasoning Mix

Instructions

  • Add your chicken pieces to a large bowl, cover with milk or buttermilk, and let soak for about 30 minutes.
  • Pour the seasoning mix into a large Ziploc Bag. Drain the milk (buttermilk) from the chicken, and then dip the chicken into the Kentucky Kernel Seasoning Mix. 
  • Spray your basket with cooking spray, and then place your covered chicken into the basket. Set the temperature to 370 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 12- 15 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 61mgPotassium: 198mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 1mg

Share this recipe

We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!

Don’t Forget To Pin:

Air Fryer Kentucky Kernel Fried Chicken