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    Published: Apr 5, 2020 by Neyssa

    Puerto Rican Fried Chicken

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    Tender moist chicken that is perfectly seasoned and rolled in a secret coating for the most perfect crispy chicken recipe.

    crispy chicken in air fryer basket

    What's the secret to crispy chicken?

    Crispy chicken is all about the outside layer! Have you ever gone to a famous fried chicken restaurant and wondered how they get that perfectly crisp coating?

    Most people assume fried chicken only uses flour, but the truth is that most chefs add Corn Starch​ to their flour mixture!

    How do you make gluten free fried crispy chicken?

    This recipe calls for a flour and Corn Starch​ mixture. If you're looking for a gluten free recipe, omit the flour and just use a light layer of corn starch​ (with seasonings added).

    How do you make Puerto Rican fried chicken?

    raw seasoned chicken in glass bowl

    To make Puerto Rican fried chicken there are five steps:

    1. Dry chicken with paper towels.
    2. Season chicken with herbs and spices.
    3. Dip chicken into an egg wash.
    4. Dip chicken into the seasoned flour and cornstarch mixture.
    5. Spray with cooking spray and cook in the air fryer!

    How do you make the coating for crispy fried chicken?

    For this Puerto Rican fried chicken recipe, we're going to make the coating with an even mixture of corn starch​ and all purpose flour.

    Next, add in a generous amount of Sazon, adobo seasoning, and oregano. Mix and set to the side.

    flour and seasonings in a glass container

    In another bowl whisk together about 4-5 eggs and a ¼ cup of milk or water to create an egg wash.

    seasoned chicken getting dipped into an egg wash

    Quick Tips

    • Use two kitchen tongs. One for the wet mixture and one for the dry mixture.
    • Switch it up. Use a little less, more, or different seasonings!
    • Do not double dip. Air fryers are great, but remember that it's not the same as a pot full of hot oil. Double dipping will create an almost soggy coating. The thinner the better here!
    • Use olive oil cooking spray -not the butter flavored one!
    • Spray your chicken generously! Oil coated chicken will create a crispier coating (and helps the flour cook through easier).
    • Work in batches. Chicken needs space in the air fryer so the air circulates evenly to ensure your chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
    Seasoned chicken laying over flour mixture.

    What is double dipping for fried chicken?

    Double dipping for fried chicken just means that you will coat the chicken through the egg wash, then roll through the coating blend and repeat it one more time.

    For this air fried chicken recipe, I do not suggest double dipping.

    Raw coated chicken in a large glass container filled with flour.

    Does air fried chicken taste like fried chicken?

    Air fried chicken tastes like a lighter version of fried chicken. You will not have the greasy skin that is sometimes coveted!

    Air fried chicken is a way to enjoy a flour coated chicken that is crispy without the guilt or worry associated with deep frying it!

    Here's an amazing southern fried chicken recipe!

    How long does it take to air fry chicken?

    The length of time it takes to air fry chicken will depend on if you're using bone-in or boneless chicken as well as the size.

    Bone-in chicken takes about 18-25 minutes.

    Boneless chicken can take about 8-10 minutes.

    The most important thing to remember when cooking any chicken, is to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. (Or the juices run clear.)

    Fried chicken being dipped into ranch.

    Recipe

    crispy chicken in air fryer basket

    Extra Crispy Puerto Rican Chicken Drumsticks

    Crispy Puerto Rican fried chicken is made with a blend of flour and cornstarch that is mixed with popular Latin spices and dipped in an egg wash to create the best fried chicken recipe!
    4.24 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: Hispanic, Puerto Rican
    Keyword: air fryer, fried chicken
    Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 550kcal
    Author: Neyssa
    Cost: 10

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 12 chicken drumsticks
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 5 eggs
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 ½ cups cornstarch
    • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
    • 2-3 Sazon seasoning
    • 2 tablespoons Adobo seasoning
    • 1 tablespoon oregano optional
    • cooking spray
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Dry chicken drumsticks with paper towels and then place into a large bowl.
    • Season chicken with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Massage chicken and let marinate for 30 minutes.
    • In another large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk, set to the side.
    • In a large bowl or pan, whisk together Argo cornstarch, flour, sazon, Adobo, and oregano, set to the side.
    • In steps, you will take the seasoned chicken, and one by one, dip into the egg wash, then roll into the Argo cornstarch and flour mixture.
    • Continue until all chicken is done.
    • Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Spray bottom of Air Fryer basket with cooking spray, add a single layer of chicken without chicken touching. Spray generously with more cooking spray.
    • Cook for 25 minutes, or until chicken reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Notes

    Cooking spray helps act as the "oil" to help "fry" the chicken, as if you were deep frying it. Really spray your chicken so all the spots get a beautiful golden color and "crisps" as if it were fried.
    If you have larger pieces of chicken you can cook another 5 minutes.
    Want even crispier chicken? During the last 5-7 minutes, crank the heat to 400 degrees!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 277mg | Sodium: 637mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 4mg

    Side Ideas

    What should I serve with Puerto Rican fried chicken?

    Air fried chicken can be eaten with almost anything on the side! For this Puerto Rican chicken recipe, we're sticking to a similar flavor profile:

    • Puerto Rican Rice
    • Plantains (crispy garlic or sweet maduros)
    • Potato Salad (or macaroni salad)
    • A side of veggies. (This asparagus recipe with tajin seasoning is good!)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    More Chicken Recipes

    • close up of air fried chicken tenders
      Puerto Rican air fried chicken tenders
    • roasted drumsticks on a blue plate
      Baked Puerto Rican Chicken
    • bbq kabob on a wooden board
      Puerto Rican BBQ Pinchos (BBQ Shish Kabobs)
    • Pollow a la barbacoa chicken on a teal plate
      Pollo a la Barbacoa (Cuban Soy Butter Chicken)

    About Neyssa

    Neyssa is a Latina food blogger who shares her Cuban and Puerto Rican family recipes for home cooks to make.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tanya says

      September 11, 2019 at 11:01 pm

      Can you do this with chicken breast?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        September 12, 2019 at 4:49 pm

        Yes, you can.

        Reply
    2. Roy says

      September 13, 2019 at 3:40 pm

      How long do you cook it if you bake it ?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        September 14, 2019 at 10:39 am

        I do 365 for 45-50 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

        Reply
    3. Ray says

      February 03, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      Do you flip the drumsticks?

      Good recipe

      Hope you can make more latin-inspired air fryer recipes

      Thank you

      Reply
      • Neyssa says

        February 12, 2020 at 9:51 pm

        Hi Ray, I did not flip over the chicken. You definitely can. 🙂

        Thank you. 🙂 I will definitely make more latin-inspired air fryer recipes. Any specific requests?

        Reply
    4. Krey says

      April 21, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      It came out so crispy, juicy, and flavorful. This has been my go to for fried chicken!

      Reply
      • Neyssa says

        April 24, 2020 at 3:34 pm

        Yay!! I am so happy to hear this. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Regina says

      August 11, 2021 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely wonderful!

      Reply
    4.24 from 13 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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    Neyssa is a Puerto Rican and Cuban self-taught home cook who lives right outside of Philly and is on a mission to share recipes that are inspired by her Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage.

    More about Neyssa →

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