Crispy, spicy, and full of bold South Indian flavors, this Easy Air Fryer Chicken 65 is a restaurant-style snack made right at home. Ready in minutes with minimal oil, it’s perfect for appetizers, party bites, or a quick weeknight treat.
Bring the bold flavors of South India straight to your kitchen with this Easy Air Fryer Chicken 65 recipe.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with spices, it’s a restaurant-style snack you can make in minutes without the extra oil.
Perfect for appetizers, party bites, or a quick weeknight treat, this Chicken 65 proves that air frying can deliver incredible flavor with minimal effort.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and fuss-free. Ready in minutes with minimal prep and cooking time.
- Crispy without deep frying. The air fryer gives that crunchy texture using very little oil.
- Bold, authentic flavor. Packed with South Indian spices and aromatic curry leaves.
- Perfect for any occasion. Great as an appetizer, snack, or weeknight dinner.
- Kid and adult friendly. Spicy but balanced, making it enjoyable for the whole family.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken breast, diced: Tender, juicy pieces perfect for air frying.
- Cornstarch: Helps create a light, crispy coating on chicken.
- Rice flour: Adds extra crunch for perfectly crispy chicken exterior.
- Ginger garlic paste: Aromatic blend for authentic South Indian flavor.
- Greek yogurt: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Curry leaves: Fresh or diced for fragrant, traditional South Indian aroma.
- Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors of the dish.
- Black pepper: Provides mild heat and depth to the seasoning.
- Chili paste: Spicy, vibrant paste for bold, flavorful chicken.
- Egg white (optional): Helps the coating stick for extra crispiness.
- Red food coloring (optional): Adds classic reddish hue for visual appeal.
- Olive oil: Moisturizes and enhances flavor during marination.
- Whole cumin: Adds warm, earthy, aromatic undertones to chicken.
- Garlic, chopped: Fresh garlic for pungent, savory flavor in marinade.
- Granulated sugar: Balances spice and enhances overall flavor profile.
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Chicken 65 Recipe
Step One: Combine the diced chicken breast, cornstarch, rice flour, ginger garlic paste, Greek yogurt, chopped curry leaves, salt, black pepper, and chili paste in a bowl. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Add the egg white and red food coloring for crispiness and color.
Step Two: Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for 24 hours for more flavor.
Step Three: Preheat your air fryer temperature to 360 degrees F (180°C) for 3-5 minutes. Once preheated, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
Step Four: Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.
Step Five: Set cook time for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until it is golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer for best results.
Step Six: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce by heating olive oil over medium heat in a pan. Add whole cumin seeds and curry leaves, and sauté until fragrant. Add chopped garlic and sauté until golden brown. Then, add salt, black pepper, Greek yogurt, chili paste, cornstarch, and granulated sugar. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken 65 Recipe Tips
- Marinate for maximum flavor: Let the chicken sit at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for the best taste.
- Pat chicken dry before coating: This helps the cornstarch and rice flour stick, giving extra crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave space between pieces so they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Adjust spice level: Reduce or increase chili paste to suit your preferred heat.
- Crispier texture: Lightly spray or brush chicken with oil before air frying for extra crunch.
- Fresh garnishes: Curry leaves, lemon wedges, and fresh herbs elevate the final dish.
- Serve immediately: Chicken 65 is best enjoyed right after cooking for maximum crispiness.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in an air fryer, oven, or skillet to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep it crunchy.
- Freeze: Place cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Sauce tip: If you prepared a separate sauce, store it in a small container and combine with chicken when serving.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken 65 Recipe Faqs
What is Chicken 65? Chicken 65 is a popular South Indian spicy, deep-fried chicken snack known for its bold flavors and crispiness.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicier and add more flavor, though breasts work fine too.
Can I make this less spicy? Absolutely! Reduce or omit chili paste to suit your heat preference.
Can I prepare this ahead of time? You can marinate the chicken a few hours in advance, but it’s best to air fry just before serving for maximum crispiness.
More Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings
- Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS (CHICK-FIL-A COPYCAT)
- AIR FRYER STARBUCKS CRANBERRY BLISS BARS COPYCAT RECIPE
- INSTANT POT COPYCAT CHILI’S CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
- AIR FRYER COPYCAT WINGERS STICKY CHICKEN FINGERS
- AIR FRYER OLIVE GARDEN COPYCAT TOASTED RAVIOLI
- COPYCAT CHILI’S SALSA
Equipment Used
- Instant Vortex Air Fryer 4 in 1, Best Fries Ever, Roast, Bake, Reheat, 6 Qt, 1700W
- POP Air Fry Mate, Stainless Steel French Fry Cutter, Commercial Grade Vegetable and Potato Slicer, Includes 2 Blade Size Cutter Options and No-Slip Suction.
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken 65 Recipe
Description
Ingredients
Chicken Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons rice flour
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 sprig curry leaves, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chili paste
- 1 large egg white, optional
- 2 drops red food coloring, optional
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cumin
- 2 sprigs curry leaves
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the diced chicken breast, cornstarch, rice flour, ginger garlic paste, Greek yogurt, diced curry leaves, salt, black pepper, and chili paste. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Optionally, add the egg white and red food coloring for added crispiness and color. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours for more flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Once preheated, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.
- Air fry the chicken at 360°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add whole cumin seeds and curry leaves, and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add chopped garlic and sauté until golden brown. Then, add salt, black pepper, Greek yogurt, chili paste, cornstarch, and granulated sugar. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a serving plate. Drizzle the prepared sauce over the chicken or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
- Garnish with additional chopped curry leaves and serve hot as an appetizer or with rice and naan as a main dish. Enjoy your delicious Air Fryer Chicken 65!
Equipment
- Coooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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