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Home » Chicken Recipes

Puerto Rican Fried Chicken

By Neyssa · Published April 5, 2020 · Updated September 10, 2026

4.24 from 13 votes
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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.
crispy chicken in air fryer basket
Author: Neyssa
Print Pin
4.24 from 13 votes

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!
Prep Time 45 minutes minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

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

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark
  • 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
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

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 guava bbq wings garnished with lime zest
    Guava BBQ Wings Recipe
  • 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)

Comments

    4.24 from 13 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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  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
Neyssa Jump with a water view background

Hola, I'm Neyssa

♥

When I moved away from home—and the community that kept the culture alive—I felt like something was missing.

I found my way home back through food.

If you’ve ever felt that same longing for home, pull up a chair. Stay while.

Let’s remember our roots, teach our kids our traditions, and keep these recipes going for the next generation.

LEARN MORE →



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