Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
This Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken is super easy to make. This delicious half chicken is perfect for an easy dinner. Super juicy on the inside and with crispy chicken skin you’ll love!

Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
Cooking this half chicken in the air fryer turned out amazing. It only takes 35 minutes, start to finish. I know that’s longer than most of my recipes but trust me you won’t regret making this.
Trader Joe’s does most of the work for us since they’re already pre-brined the chicken. And boy is it worth spending a little extra for the convenience and quality.
The great thing about the air fryer is you can cook countless things in it. From Trader Joe’s Breakfast Chicken Sausage to Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs.
Make sure to check out these other super delicious Trader Joe’s gems: Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken, Trader Joe’s Pesto Chicken, and Trader Joe’s Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage.

❤️ Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe
- Affordable – This buttermilk brined half chicken is only $4.99lb
- Easy to make – This Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken is already marinated so all you have to is pop it into the air fryer basket.
Ingredients
- Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken

✳️ Tips & Tricks
Always use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is 165F. Once the timer goes off, take the chicken out of the air fryer so you don’t dry out the chicken.
Wrapping the chicken in aluminum foil will make sure the chicken doesn’t get too crispy.
Tools to make this Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
- Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
- Meat thermometer – You always want to make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken 165F.
How to make Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
- Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Then spray the aluminum foil with avocado oil spray.
- Place the half chicken on the aluminum foil skin side up, then fold up the top so the chicken is completely covered.
- Place the basket back into the air fryer and cook at 350F for 30 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off carefully lift the chicken up and remove the aluminum foil.
- Place the chicken back into the air fryer basket and cook at 390F for another 5 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F then serve.




Oven Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Remove chicken from packaging and place on an oiled or lined baking sheet, skin side up.
- Cook for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature reached 165°F

What to serve with Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
I paired this half chicken with mac and cheese and green beans. I wanted a super easy southern style dinner and it did not disappoint!
You can also use the half chicken for meal prep or if you’re following a low carb diet you can serve the chicken over a salad.
How to store
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.
♨️ How to reheat
Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until chicken is warm. Alternatively you can transfer to a microwave save plate to warm up.
If you want to warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.

❓FAQs for cooking Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
What is the purpose of soaking chicken in buttermilk?
Buttermilk acts as a tenderizer for the chicken, without it becoming tough and chewy.
Do you wash chicken after brining?
For this recipe I did not wash the chicken after brining. So recipes do recommend it.
Does buttermilk change the taste of chicken?
Marinating chicken in buttermilk is not for flavor. Instead, the acidity tenderizes the meat.

More Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Chicken Recipes
If you loved this Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken in the Air Fryer, check out these other Trader Joe’s recipes I’ve made.
- Trader Joe’s Breakfast Chicken Sausage
- Trader Joe’s Mini Chicken Wontons
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Burritos
- Trader Joe’s Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Sausage
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Potstickers
- Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Nuggets
- Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs
- Trader Joe’s Spatchcock Chicken
- Trader Joe’s Pesto Chicken
- Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Chicken

Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
Instructions
- This Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken is super easy to make. This is the perfect idea for dinner. Super juicy on the inside and Crispy on the outside.
- Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Then spray the aluminum foil with avocado oil.
- Place the half chicken on the aluminum foil then fold up the top so the chicken is completely covered.
- Place the basket back into the air fryer and cook at 350F for 30 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off carefully lift the chicken up and remove the aluminum foil.
- Place the chicken back into the air fryer basket and cook at 390F for another 5 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F then serve.
Nutrition
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