Air Fryer Juicy Grilled Chicken
JTBC Shall We Chicken Recipe Contest Winner! Super Juicy Air Fryer Grilled Chicken, Make Yours Just as Moist!
Chicken is often thought of as a delivery-only food, partly because it can seem complicated to make at home. However, with a little shift in perspective, it’s one of the easiest dishes to prepare! If you’re looking for a simpler, tastier way to enjoy chicken, try this recipe using an air fryer. This particular recipe focuses on creating ‘Juicy Chicken’ that remains incredibly moist on the inside. We’ll remove any gamey odors using milk and boost the flavor with a generous amount of honey mustard sauce and minced garlic. The result is a chicken with a delightful savory-sweet, tangy profile, reminiscent of both soy-glazed and seasoned chicken. For a refreshing accompaniment, we’ve prepared a quick pickled sea mustard (tot). Simply combine sea mustard with salad and bell pepper, let it pickle for a day, and you have a wonderful side dish that perfectly complements the rich flavor of the chicken.
Main Ingredients- Dongwoo Bareun Chicken Drumsticks 900g
- Celery 150g
- Pickled Sea Mustard (with liquid) 400g
- Bell Pepper 40g
- Milk 300ml
- Chopped Walnuts, a little
- Lemon, a little
Sauce Ingredients- Soy Sauce 3 Tbsp
- Honey Mustard 4 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 3 Tbsp
- Minced Ginger 0.5 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin) 3 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide 5 Tbsp
- Lime Vinegar 3 Tbsp
- Olive Oil 2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 3 Tbsp
- Honey Mustard 4 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 3 Tbsp
- Minced Ginger 0.5 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin) 3 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide 5 Tbsp
- Lime Vinegar 3 Tbsp
- Olive Oil 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the pickled sea mustard accompaniment. You won’t need the entire 400g; about one-third of that amount is usually sufficient. Adjust the quantity as needed. This serves as a delightful alternative to pickled radish. Thinly slice the red bell pepper (40g) and add it to a bowl with the pickled sea mustard (400g). Prepare the celery by removing any tough fibers and slicing it diagonally. Slice the lemon into thick rounds. Combine all these ingredients in a bowl to set aside. Preparation complete!
Step 2
Rinse the chicken drumsticks thoroughly under running water to clean them. Place the cleaned drumsticks in a bowl and pour about 300ml of milk over them. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. For an even more tender result, marinating them overnight in the refrigerator is highly recommended. The milk helps to tenderize the chicken and remove any gamey odors.
Step 3
Remove the chicken drumsticks from the milk marinade and rinse them well under cold running water to wash off the milk. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Drying the chicken thoroughly is key to achieving a crispier exterior.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to prepare the delicious marinade for our grilled chicken. We’ll use all the ingredients listed below to create a flavorful sauce.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 4 Tbsp honey mustard, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 3 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp minced ginger, 3 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin), 5 Tbsp oligosaccharide, 3 Tbsp lime vinegar, and 2 Tbsp olive oil. Whisk everything together until well combined to create the marinade.
Step 6
Add the marinated and dried chicken drumsticks to the prepared marinade. Toss them well to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Marinating for at least an hour will allow the flavors to penetrate deeply into the chicken. If you’re short on time, you can proceed to cooking immediately.
Step 7
Preheat your air fryer. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket or on the tray, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Drizzle any remaining marinade over the chicken.
Step 8
First Roasting Stage: Set the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and cook for 20 minutes. It’s a good idea to pause the air fryer at the 15-minute mark to check the chicken’s progress.
Step 9
After the first roasting stage, carefully open the air fryer. Flip the chicken drumsticks over to ensure even cooking. Gently stir the accumulated juices and marinade at the bottom of the basket and recoat the chicken pieces.
Step 10
If the chicken appears to be browning too quickly, reduce the temperature to 180°C (356°F) and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. (Note: Air fryer models vary; for a large 7.8L capacity air fryer, adjusting the temperature might be necessary.) Feel free to open the air fryer occasionally to monitor the cooking process.
Step 11
Once the chicken drumsticks are mostly cooked and have a juicy appearance, carefully remove them from the air fryer. You’ll notice they are becoming tender and have absorbed some of the marinade. Now, place the chicken drumsticks back into the air fryer basket for the second roasting stage.
Step 12
Second Roasting Stage: Set the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and cook for 5 minutes. This step helps to crisp up the exterior.
Step 13
While the chicken is in its second roasting stage, take the leftover marinade sauce from the pan. Pour it into a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until it reduces by half, creating a caramelized glaze. This concentrated sauce will add a rich flavor boost.
Step 14
Third Roasting Stage: Open the air fryer and flip the chicken drumsticks again. Prepare to brush the reduced sauce onto the surface of the chicken.
Step 15
Using a pastry brush, generously apply the caramelized honey mustard soy sauce glaze to the entire surface of each chicken drumstick. Ensure an even coating for maximum flavor.
Step 16
Fourth Roasting Stage: Return the glazed chicken drumsticks to the air fryer and cook at 200°C (392°F) for 5 minutes. This allows the glaze to set and become slightly sticky.
Step 17
Fifth Roasting Stage: Flip the chicken drumsticks, apply another layer of the sauce, and cook for another 5 minutes at 200°C (392°F). Repeatedly glazing and cooking builds up a richer flavor profile.
Step 18
Sixth Roasting Stage: Finally, open the air fryer, flip the drumsticks, apply one last coat of the glaze, and cook for an additional 3 minutes at 200°C (392°F). This ensures a perfectly crisp exterior and a wonderfully moist interior.
Step 19
Behold, the perfectly cooked Juicy Grilled Chicken! The satisfying sizzle and golden-brown color are mouthwatering. Enjoy the delightful contrast of a crispy outside and tender inside while it’s hot.
Step 20
To finish, sprinkle the cooked chicken drumsticks generously with chopped walnuts for added texture and nutty flavor. Your plump chicken drumsticks are ready! Serve and enjoy with the pickled sea mustard.
Step 21
Today’s star dish, the Juicy Grilled Chicken made in the air fryer, is complete! A generous sprinkle of chopped walnuts on top of these plump drumsticks creates a visually appealing presentation and enhances the overall flavor.