This Cracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken is a crispy and juicy recipe, which calls for tangy buttermilk and savory spices. It’s a healthier twist on the classic, ready in about 40 minutes (plus marinating time).
Jump to RecipeCracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 8 thighs)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp pickle juice (optional, for tenderness)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
For the Breading
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (essential for air fryer crunch)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Non-stick cooking spray (olive oil or vegetable oil spray)
How To Make Cracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, pickle juice, and hot sauce. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully submerged. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum tenderness.
- Mix the breading: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. The cornstarch is the secret ingredient that helps the coating crisp up like deep-fried chicken.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
- Dredge the chicken: Remove a piece of chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off slightly. Press the chicken firmly into the flour mixture, turning to coat all sides thoroughly. Shake off any loose flour.
- Arrange in basket: Spray the air fryer basket liberally with cooking spray. Place the breaded chicken in the basket in a single layer. Do not crowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary.
- Spray and cook: Spray the top of the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray until no white flour spots remain. This oil is necessary to brown the crust. Air fry for 12–15 minutes.
- Flip and finish: Flip the chicken pieces over. Spray any dry flour spots on the other side with more oil. Cook for another 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes to keep the crust crispy before serving.
Recipe Tips
- The Cornstarch Trick: Do not skip the cornstarch. In deep frying, the hot oil crisps the flour. In air frying, flour alone can become soggy or powdery. Cornstarch provides the necessary crunch.
- Eliminating white spots: If your chicken comes out with white powdery spots, it means the flour didn’t get hydrated with oil. Check the chicken halfway through cooking and spray any white patches with a little more oil.
- Don’t overcrowd: Air fryers work by circulating hot air. If the chicken pieces are touching, the air can’t reach the sides, and you will end up with soggy spots instead of crispy skin.
- Buttermilk substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken
This guilt-free fried chicken deserves classic comfort sides.
- Macaroni and Cheese: The creamy texture balances the crunchy chicken.
- Green Beans: Cooked with a little bacon for flavor.
- Mashed Potatoes: With sawmill gravy on the side.
- Biscuits: Perfect for making a chicken biscuit sandwich.
How To Store Cracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To restore the crunch, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes. Microwaving will make the crust soggy.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked chicken in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer (add 5 minutes to cooking time).
Cracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 320kcal
- Protein: 34g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturates: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Salt: 0.9g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 4 servings).
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, but bone-in chicken takes longer to cook. Lower the temperature to 360°F and cook for 20–25 minutes, checking the internal temperature to ensure it hits 165°F.
Is this gluten-free?
No, because of the flour. To make it gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
Why did my breading fall off?
Breading falls off if the chicken was too wet before dredging or if you flipped it too early. Let the crust set for at least 10 minutes in the air fryer before touching it.
Cracker Barrel Air Fryer Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
4
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
25
minutesCalories
320
kcalA lighter, mess-free version of Sunday Homestyle Chicken, achieving a golden, crispy crust using an air fryer and a buttermilk cornstarch coating.
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 tbsp pickle juice
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper
Oil spray
Directions
- Whisk buttermilk, egg, and pickle juice; marinate chicken for 30 mins.
- Mix flour, cornstarch, and spices in a dish.
- Dredge chicken in flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Spray basket and place chicken in a single layer.
- Spray chicken tops generously with oil.
- Cook for 12–15 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook 10–12 more minutes.
- Rest on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Spraying the flour-coated chicken generously with oil is the single most important step to ensure the breading turns golden brown instead of staying white and powdery.
- Using cornstarch in the dredge lightens the coating and allows it to become significantly crispier in the convection heat of the air fryer compared to using flour alone.
- Adding a splash of pickle juice to the marinade is a Southern secret that mimics the brining process, keeping the meat juicy and adding a subtle tang.
