Air Fryer Naked Fried Chicken

If you’re trying to eat healthy but love your fried chicken, then your going to love this recipe.  It is so easy to make, simple clean up and you’re not going to eat all that oil and fat you would with normal fried chicken.  You’ll be amazed at the amount of fat in the bottom of the air fryer under the grate.  Safely away from your chicken.  Also the chicken is going to be so moist because the outside cooks and seals quickly in the air fryer trapping all the juices.

This version with what I call naked fried chicken.  This only means that it has no breading.  You can bread it and do in the air fryer as well, but this version is just seasoned and air fried.  I literally grab a chicken at the store and cut it up, toss in a large bowl with seasoning mixture and then toss in the air fryer.  If you don’t want to cut up a chicken yourself, you can always ask the butcher to do it for you.  Either way you are going to be amazed how easy and quick your dinner will come together.  Let me know if you try this recipe and don’t hesitate to change the spice mixture to one that suits your family’s taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 3-4 tablespoons chicken seasoning (recipe below)

1. Turn your air fryer on 350°F to warm up…It won’t take long and will be ready by the time the chicken is ready to go in.
2. Cut up your chicken into 8 pieces.  If the breasts are large I cut them in half and have 10 pieces.
3. Put in a large bowl and add the vegetable oil.  Toss to lightly coat.  If you like, you can skip this to eliminate more oil but I find most of it drips off and it does help crisp up the skin nicely.
4. sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken and toss to coat all the pieces evenly.
5. Add the chicken to air fryer and cook for 14 minutes.  I start with the skin side down so it is crispy when I turn it.
6. After 14 minutes, turn the chicken and cook for another 10-12 minutes.  Make sure it is at 165°F
7. Move chicken to a platter and let rest a few minutes.  Helps redistribute the juices and cool off a bit so you don’t burn your mouth.  Believe me, it is going to be hot and crisp right out of the air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Seasoning:

I make this in batches so I always have some on hand.  I also use it on chicken in the smoker as well.  It will last a good long time for you too and making it yourself you know whats in it with out all the preservatives.  Just mix it all up and put in a tight sealing container.  I actually use an pint size mason jar with one of those lids off of that Parmesan cheese bottle that I am sure you all have.  (Here’s an example. )  Then you can just sprinkle it on the chicken and control better the amount you use.

• 3 tbsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 cup Garlic powder
• 1/4 cup Onion powder
• 2 tbsp Thyme, dried
• 2 tbsp Oregano, dried
• 2 tbsp Mustard, dry
• 2 tbsp Black pepper