Crispy St Patrick’s Day Chicken Air Fryer Recipe Easy Perfect Crunch
A quick and easy air fryer chicken recipe with a crispy golden crust and traditional Irish herb seasoning, perfect for St Patrick’s Day celebrations or any festive gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900 grams) chicken thighs or drumsticks, skin-on and bone-in
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or substitute with milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Irish seasoning blend (dried thyme, parsley, ground black pepper)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, pour 1 cup (240 ml) of buttermilk over 2 pounds (900 grams) of chicken thighs or drumsticks. Stir to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
- Prepare the seasoning mix: Combine 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon Irish seasoning blend, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a shallow dish. Mix well.
- Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Place coated pieces on a wire rack or plate.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Spray air fryer basket lightly with olive oil. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, skin side up, without touching. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 12 minutes). Spray chicken lightly with olive oil after flipping.
- Check that internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let chicken rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use skin-on chicken for best juiciness and crispiness. Marinate at least 30 minutes for tender meat. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Flip chicken halfway through cooking and spray with olive oil for extra crunch. Rest chicken 5 minutes before serving. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with coconut yogurt thinned with water or dairy-free milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 o
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 22
Keywords: St Patrick’s Day chicken, crispy chicken, air fryer chicken, Irish chicken recipe, easy chicken recipe, festive chicken, air fryer recipe