Jamaican Fried Chicken (Air Fryer, Gluten Free) (2024)

This Jamaican Fried Chicken recipe consists of delicious low carb, flourless succulent chicken thighs cooked to a crisp in an air fryer. Definitely the ultimate crowd pleaser that's great for keto/paleo lifestyles.

** Oven baked version is included in the recipe post

Don't forget to check out my vegan version of this recipe using oyster mushrooms, yes that's right, see my Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Fried Chicken) recipe.

I don't know about you but I have a weakness for some fried chicken. I'm talking about juicy, succulent seasoned chicken. That's crispy with a crunch to it, need I go on.

Let me introduce you to what I just described.This bad ass chicken replicates deep fried chicken using an air fryer - yes!!!! that same deep fried effect without excess oil.

I remember when I was younger and used to see my mother and especially my grandmother make fried chicken.

To me it looked like quite a process - whisking the eggs, preparing the flour, breading and heating up the deep fat fryer. We didn't have all of these fancy gadgets back then.

Our deep fat fryer was our prized possession that was used on rotation. We utilised it for many things - chips, potato, chicken etc.. and so fourth.

I wasn't that health conscious back then and relished the taste, it was that crispy exterior that sent me into a frenzy each and every time.

Jamaican fried chicken in an air fryer

Now as a hard core foodie I always envisioned making Jamaican fried chicken which wasn't deep fat fried.

Sure I love the taste but didn't want that guilty feeling when eating greasy food. I'm so glad that I received my air fryer as a gift because it's my little deep fat fryer replica side kick.

An air fryer is a great alternative to a conventional fryer. How it works is by circulating hot air around the food instead of saturating it in an amass of oil.

The results are very very similar to deep fat frying - crispy, crunchy outside. I've made a few recipes in my air fryer including this Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts and these Blackened Salmon Fillets.

While it is advised to spray the tray of the air fryer and food with oil. That's a tiny amount, compared to what is used in conventional cooking.

If you enjoy deep fat style foods without the unsavoury health risks then air fryer styled chicken is your go to.

How to make Jamaican fried chicken

The chicken - The parts of the chicken used is what you prefer and I typically like thighs and legs. If you want to use wings or drumsticks then go right ahead. I also like to trim off most (not all) of the skin, again because I like a moderate amount of fat in my diet.

The seasoning - my version of Jamaican fried chicken doesn't contain any all purpose/chicken seasoning. I used herbs and spices which I felt complimented the meat - black pepper, hot sauce, pink salt, ginger, onion, garlic thyme, parsley, paprika and cayenne.

For this recipe I used herbs and spices in their ground form, just so they can completely absorb.

Marinade - I marinate my chicken thighs in egg and milk along with half of the stated condiments. You can leave it overnight or for at least an hour so the flavour infuses the chicken. There's nothing worse than crispy bland chicken, Caribbean people don't do bland at all...that's a NO NO!

Handing the chicken to coat - What I do is use two fingers to carefully grab the chicken. I do this two finger method to lessen the chances of rubbing off the excess egg by not using all my fingers to grip the chicken. I then roll in the breading. Roll a few times and sprinkle a heaping onto the chicken to ensure it is completely coated.

The breading - for a clean eating diet, I like the breading texture that ground almonds yield. Its foolproof and when seasoned tastes just like panko.

Oven baked version

• Add the chicken to a large bowl along with the egg, milk, lemon, garlic, onion powder, ginger, hot sauce and black pepper.
• Place the chicken thighs, skin down into the egg liquid and marinate the chicken for 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven 200c
• In another bowl add all of the ingredients for the breadcrumbs and whisk
• Take each piece of chicken and roll generously in the breading, repeat with each chicken thigh.
• Place the chicken on a tray lined coated with oil and lined with parchment paper
• Spray the top of the chicken with oil
• Bake the chicken for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through and respraying the chicken and parchment paper with oil.
• Remove from oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving

Dipping sauce

These are some of my favourites that I like to rotate between

• Mango Pineapple Hot Sauce
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• Dairy Free Mayo (Aquafaba free)
• Jerk BBQ Sauce

The steps

Place the almond milk, lemon juice, hot sauce, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and pink salt in a large bowl and whisk together with the egg

Add the chicken thighs with the skin facing towards and marinade.

Meanwhile breading the breading by adding the pink salt, thyme,parsley, paprika, onion and garlic powder and mix into the tapioca starch and ground almonds.

Coat each chicken thigh with the breading, rolling and throwing the mix onto the chicken so it sticks. Spray the air fryer basket with oil then cook the chicken thigh for 25 minutes, turning over an spray each side again.

I have a nut allergy, what's the alternative?

If you are allergic to nuts, you can use any other GF flour i.e buckwheat or coconut flour to keep it paleo/keto friendly

I'm Caribbean and/or not gluten free can I still make this recipe?

Yes sure, simply use regular panko or whatever breadcrumbs you see fit to use.

Serving suggestions

Brown rice - This is the perfect gluten free option that's nutritionally dense and a great way to turn finger food into a main meal or just some low carb Ochro Rice made from cauliflower.

Steamed Cabbage - Who can't say yes to some slightly steamed cabbage with some chicken.

Kale and Plantain - A combination of leafy greens with boiled plantains, yes please!!

Roots vegetables - Why not try some Sweet Potato, Mashed Yam, or even some breadfruit,

Notes and tips

• Air fryer brands, tend to vary so keep an eye on the time and temperate as some cook quicker than others.
• You are more than welcome to switch things up by using wings, legs or breasts etc...again the cooking temperature/time will vary.
• The recipe post contains the oven instructions, go to the paragraph entitled "oven baked version"
• Be gentle when coating the chicken, be sure to roll and press the coating into the chicken so it sticks.
• When the chicken is cooked the juices will run clear or the official internal cooking temperature is 165F (75c)

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