Jollibee fried chicken at home, crispy, juicy, and made in the air fryer instead of a vat of oil. This is my take on the Chicken joy I grew up loving, golden and crackly on the outside, juicy inside, with that rich brown gravy that is honestly the whole reason people order it. No deep frying, no oil splatter, just properly crispy chicken and about 20 minutes of real work.
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If you grew up Filipino, I do not need to sell you on Chicken joy. It is the fried chicken, the one that tastes like home no matter what country you are standing in. I grew up on it in Manila before we moved to Vancouver, and recreating it has been a little obsession.
My one rule: the air fryer version had to beat the deep fried original, or I was not posting it. You know me and my air fryer obsession by now, crispy chicken without the oil is my love language, go see my Korean fried chicken and crunchy chicken katsu for proof. After testing it against deep frying more than once, the air fryer won on crust and stayed just as juicy. Two moves get you there: baking powder on the skin only, and skin side down first.
I am skipping the long brine most copycats swear by. A good spice rub seasons it, the air fryer keeps it juicy, and you go from craving to dinner in the same night. Serve it over rice with a flood of that gravy and you have got the full Jollibee experience at home.
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How to make Jollibee Fried Chicken (VIDEO)
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This whole recipe rides on the air fryer doing what a deep fryer usually does, and this one nails it. Big enough to fit the chicken without crowding, hot enough for a real crust, and zero oil to clean up after. This is the one I use almost daily.
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How to make (PICTURES)
- Step 1: Season the chicken all over with the spices, and rub baking powder onto the skin only.
- Step 2: Mix the flour, cornstarch, and spices for the coating.
- Step 3: Dredge each piece, pressing the coating on well so it really sticks.
- Step 4: Spray with oil and place skin side down in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Step 5: Make the gravy: melt the butter, whisk in the flour, and cook into a roux.
- Step 6: Add the water, soy sauce, and bouillon, then simmer until thick. Season and serve with the chicken.
What to Serve It With
- Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice - savory fried rice made for soaking up every drop of that gravy
- The Best Asian Coleslaw - crisp, tangy, and the fresh contrast a plate of fried chicken needs
- Crispy Green Beans Air Fryer - throw them in the same air fryer for an easy side
- Ube Leche Flan - finish the Filipino feast with the dreamiest purple dessert
Air Fryer Jollibee Fried Chicken with Gravy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the chicken quarters all over with the paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the baking powder onto the skin only and rub it in. Keep it off the meat, it can dry it out.4 chicken quarters, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon baking powder
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each piece, pressing the coating on well so it sticks into all the crevices.1 cup flour, 1 cup cornstarch, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper
- Let the coated chicken rest 5 minutes so the coating sets. Spray all over with avocado oil.Avocado oil
- Place the chicken skin side down in the air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep golden and cooked through to 165°F.
- While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook into a roux. Slowly add the water, soy sauce, and bouillon, whisking, then simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon, 2 cups water
- Serve the chicken hot over rice with a generous pour of gravy.
Notes
Storage:
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to bring the crust back, do not microwave. The microwave will make it soft. You can microwave the gravy.Nutrition
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Hi, I'm Carmen!
I'm the creator of Eat With Carmen, where I share Filipino and other Asian recipes I love and grew up eating, made simple for everyday cooking.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Jollibee Fried Chicken
What is Jollibee Chickenjoy? It is the famous fried chicken from Jollibee, the beloved Filipino fast food chain. It is known for an extra crispy crust and juicy meat, always served with a side of rich brown gravy. This is my air fryer take.
Can I deep fry this instead? Absolutely. The coating is built for it. Fry at 350°F until golden and cooked through. I just use the air fryer for the same crunch with way less oil and mess.
Why baking powder on the skin? Baking powder raises the skin's pH and helps it crisp up and blister like deep-fried chicken. Keep it on the skin only, since on the meat it can leave a chalky, dry texture.
What makes the gravy taste like Jollibee's? The chicken bouillon and soy sauce. They give it that savory, slightly sweet, umami-rich flavor that sets Jollibee gravy apart from American-style brown gravy.
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