Craving a crispy, flavorful chicken dish that’s both simple and satisfying? Look no further than this Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken! With just a handful of ingredients and a cooking time of under 40 minutes, you can whip up a mouthwatering meal that will impress your family and friends. The zesty lemon pepper seasoning combined with the air fryer's magic creates a golden-brown crust that’s irresistibly crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this delicious recipe that’s bound to become a favorite in your household!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or breasts)
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces completely dry using paper towels to ensure crispy skin and better seasoning adherence.
- In a large mixing bowl, drizzle olive oil over the chicken pieces, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Generously sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and black pepper over all sides of the chicken, massaging the seasonings into the meat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 3-4 minutes to create an optimal cooking environment.
- Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook chicken for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning and crispy exterior.
- Check internal temperature of chicken using a meat thermometer - it should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part to ensure safe consumption.
- Once cooked, let chicken rest for 5 minutes outside the air fryer to allow juices to redistribute and maintain moisture.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh lemon wedges and additional lemon pepper seasoning if desired.
Tips
- Dry Your Chicken: For the crispiest skin, make sure to pat your chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the oil and spices adhere better.
- Coat Evenly: When drizzling olive oil over the chicken, ensure every piece is evenly coated. This not only enhances flavor but also contributes to that perfect golden-brown finish.
- Don’t Skimp on Seasoning: Be generous with the lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Massage the seasonings into the chicken to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
- Preheat for Perfection: Preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before cooking is crucial. It creates an optimal cooking environment that helps achieve that coveted crispy texture.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
- Flip for Even Cooking: Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that both sides get that beautiful, crispy exterior.
- Check the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the chicken to ensure it's safe to eat.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping your chicken moist and flavorful.
- Garnish for Extra Zing: Serve your chicken hot, garnished with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of additional lemon pepper seasoning for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
