Air Fryer Crispy Chicken with Curry Gravy is the perfect mix of crunchy, juicy chicken and a rich savory curry sauce that tastes like ultimate comfort food. The air fryer gives the chicken a beautifully crisp coating with very little oil, which makes this dish lighter and easier to make than traditional fried chicken. Paired with a warm curry gravy that is silky and full of flavor, it is a meal that feels both cozy and exciting. It is simple enough for weeknights but special enough for weekends.

The curry gravy is what really sets this recipe apart. It is made with pantry friendly spices and ingredients that simmer together to create a smooth, fragrant sauce. The flavors are savory, slightly sweet, and full of depth, making it the perfect topping for the crispy chicken. Once everything comes together, each bite is comforting and packed with bold flavor.

Using the air fryer makes this recipe incredibly approachable. You get that golden, crunchy coating without the mess or heaviness of deep frying. The chicken cooks evenly and stays tender on the inside while crisping up perfectly on the outside. It is a great option for anyone looking for a faster, healthier way to enjoy fried chicken at home.

This dish also works well for meal prep because the chicken reheats beautifully in the air fryer and the curry gravy can be made ahead of time. It pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, or even a simple side salad. You can also adjust the heat level depending on your preference, which makes it a crowd friendly recipe. It is flexible, flavorful, and always hits the spot.

Another reason this recipe is so popular is how customizable it is. You can use chicken thighs or chicken breast, and the gravy works with almost any protein or vegetable. It is a great recipe for using what you already have on hand without sacrificing flavor. Once you learn the base technique, it becomes an easy go to meal.

If you love crispy chicken and warm, comforting sauces, this Air Fryer Crispy Chicken with Curry Gravy will become a regular in your rotation. It is satisfying, full of flavor, and surprisingly simple to make. The crispy coating and rich curry sauce taste like something from your favorite comfort food spot but made at home with everyday ingredients. It is the perfect recipe when you want something cozy, crunchy, and full of flavor.

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Air Fryer Crispy Chicken with Curry Gravy

Recipe by Julia Vuong

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: MainCuisine: Japanese

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

18

minutes

Total time

28

minutes

Ingredients

• 4 4 boneless skin on chicken thighs

• 1 tsp 1 garlic salt

• 1 tsp 1 paprika

• 1 tsp 1 onion powder

• 1 tsp 1 garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp 1/2 pepper

• 1 tsp 1 baking powder

• 1/4 cup 1/4 flour

• 1/4 cup 1/4 corn starch

• 2 tbsp 2 water

• avocado oil spray

• 2 cups 2 cooked white rice

• Curry Gravy

• 2 tbsp 2 unsalted butter

• 1 tbsp 1 flour

• 1 1 Japanese curry cube

• 2 cups 2 beef broth

• 1 tbsp 1 heavy cream

• 1/4 tsp 1/4 pepper

• Toppings

• sliced green onions

Directions

• Prep the chicken
  Debone chicken thighs and keep the skin on. Mix garlic salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper in a bowl. Season chicken with about half of seasoning and save the rest of the seasoning for the flour mixture later. Sprinkle baking powder on the skin only (do not get baking powder on the chicken meat or it will dry it out). Rub the baking powder onto the skin evenly.
• Coat the chicken
  In a mixing bowl, combined cornstarch, flour, and the rest of the seasonings. Add a few droplets of water and mix to create some texture in the flour mixture. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture.
• Air Fry the chicken
  Preheat your air fryer to 385F degrees (196C) and spray avocado oil on the tray. Lay your chicken skin side up and spray with oil. Air fry for 15-18 minutes, checking occasionally. Remove when skin is browned and crispy. (It will continue to crisp up when cooled down a bit). Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing to let the juices redistribute.
• Make the gravy
  In a small sauce pan on medium heat, add butter and flour. Whisk for 2 minutes or until the butter and flour has browned slightly. Chop up a Japanese curry cube into tiny pieces (this helps prevent lumps) and add into the sauce pan. Whisk until smooth. Slowly add beef broth. Simmer for about 3 minutes while whisking continuously. Add a splash of heavy cream and cracked black pepper. Combine and remove from heat. (Optional but recommended, pour sauce through a strainer to ensure a silky smooth gravy)
• Plate and enjoy
  Add sliced chicken over a plate of rice. Add spoonfuls of the curry gravy or have it on the side for dipping. Garnish with green onions.