In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Pat the chicken pieces dry.
Dredge each piece in the dry mix, pressing lightly so it adheres.
Let the coated pieces rest on a wire rack for about 10 minutes—this helps the coating form craggy bits that turn extra crispy.
Choose one cooking method:
Fry: Heat oil to 325°F (165°C) and fry until cooked through, about 8–12 minutes per batch. Remove, then increase oil to ~350°F (175°C) and fry 1–2 minutes more to crisp.
Air-fry: Spray pieces with cooking spray. Air-fry at 380°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway and respraying to crisp.
Oven-bake: Preheat to 400°F (205°C), place on a rack-lined baking sheet, lightly spray, and bake 20–25 minutes until golden. Optionally broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
Notes
Spicy kick: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Herby twist: Swap onion powder for 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning.
Gluten-free: Replace flour with a gluten-free blend, keeping cornstarch.
Thai-style: Use rice flour instead of wheat for a lighter, extra-crunchy exterior.
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes.