Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs
Boneless chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk, then coated with seasoned flour and crisp panko breadcrumbs for a tender, crunchy bite. Air frying gives this fried chicken its golden coating with less oil, making it a comforting choice for a weeknight dinner, picnic, or casual gathering.
- Prep5 mins
- Cook30 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 51 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 10 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 58 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 27
- Heart Health
- 61
- Metabolic
- 21
- Digestive
- 21
- Inflammatory
- 47
- Performance
- 33
- General Wellness
- 1
Place the chicken thighs in a shallow casserole dish. Pour buttermilk over the chicken and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- 2
Preheat an air fryer to 380 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- 3
Mix flour, seasoned salt, and pepper in a large gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Dredge the chicken thighs in the seasoned flour. Dip them back into the buttermilk, then coat them with panko bread crumbs.
- 4
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the chicken thighs in the basket, making sure none are touching. Spray the top of each chicken thigh with cooking spray.
- 5
Cook in the preheated air fryer for 15 minutes. Flip the thighs and spray the tops with cooking spray again. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- 6
Dip them back into the buttermilk, then coat with panko bread crumbs.
- 7
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- 8
Arrange 1/2 of the chicken thighs in the basket, ensuring none are touching.
- 9
Spray the top of each chicken thigh with cooking spray.
- 10
Cook in the preheated air fryer for 15 minutes.
- 11
Flip the thighs and spray the tops of the chicken again.
- 12
Cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 more minutes.
- 13
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should register at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- 14
Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Calories 402.95 kcal High 20%
- Protein 28.96 g Good Source 58%
- Carbohydrate 43.45 g 16%
- Total Fat 12.52 g Moderate 16%
- Saturated Fat 4.73 g High 24%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 113.11 mg High 38%
- Sodium 270.88 mg Moderate 12%
- Dietary Fiber 2.07 g Low Source 7%
- Total Sugars 4.27 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 106.5 mg Low Source 8%
- Iron 2.59 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 19.84 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin A 30.67 mcg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin C 0.81 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Crispy Air Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs is made with 7 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 35 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Boneless Chicken Thigh, and Buttermilk. Each serving provides about 402.95 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Boneless Chicken Thigh, Buttermilk, Cooking Spray. The full list of 7 is above.
- How long does it take to make Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs?
- About 35 mins in total: 5 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 402.95 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 7 ingredients and 14 steps.
- Is Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs healthy?
- Crispy Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs has an easyChef Pro health score of 42/100. Per serving, it provides 402.95 calories and 28.96 g of protein, or 58% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 270.88 mg (12% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 4.73 g (24% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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