Air Fryer Chicken: Is It Safe To Cook Raw Chicken?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, with many recipes available online. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer. Some recipes recommend brining the chicken first, but this is not necessary. The key to juicy chicken breasts is to avoid overcooking them and to let them rest for a few minutes after cooking.

Can I cook raw chicken breast in an air fryer?

Using frozen chicken

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer without thawing them first. This method is a quick and easy way to cook juicy chicken breasts.

Steps to Air Frying Frozen Chicken Breasts:

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Some sources suggest preheating to 375°F or 380°F. Even if your air fryer does not have a preheat function, manually set it to preheat for a few minutes.

Prepare the Chicken: If desired, spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the frozen chicken breasts in the basket, leaving a little space between each breast. Try to find chicken breasts that are approximately the same size to ensure even cooking.

Cook the Chicken: The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Smaller breasts will cook faster, while thicker breasts will take longer. A general rule of thumb is to air fry for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken breasts halfway through. Then, cook for an additional 4-13 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160-165°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the chicken.

Add Sauce and Seasoning: During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the chicken breasts with sauce. Alternatively, you can remove the chicken from the air fryer and add sauce and seasoning before returning it to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.

Let the Chicken Rest: After removing the chicken from the air fryer, let it rest for 5 minutes, tented with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking.

Tips:

• If you have chicken pieces that are thicker on one end, you can cut off the thin end to prevent overcooking.
• Watch the temperature closely when the chicken reaches the 130°-140°F mark. The internal temperature can rise 10°-15°F every 2-3 minutes after this point.
• If you prefer juicier chicken, consider brining the chicken before cooking. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking.
• To prevent overcooking, do not overcrowd the air fryer and always arrange the chicken in a single layer.
• For extra crispy skin, cook the chicken for an additional 5 minutes.

Brining and seasoning

Brining is the process of salting meat and letting it rest before cooking. During brining, the meat absorbs extra liquid and salt. The salt flavours the meat throughout, so your chicken tastes completely seasoned, rather than just on the outside. The liquid also helps to keep the meat moist. You can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).

If you are using a wet brine, fill a large bowl with about 6 cups of lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup of kosher salt, stirring to dissolve. Add the chicken breasts to the brine and leave them to sit in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. If you leave the chicken in the brine for longer, it will become too salty. After brining, remove the chicken from the water, pat it dry with paper towels, and discard the water.

If you are using a dry brine, place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle it all over with kosher salt. Place the chicken in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. When you are ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

After brining, you can season the chicken with a spice rub. In a small bowl, combine the salt and spices with oil to create a paste. Coat the chicken breasts with the paste. Alternatively, spritz or rub the chicken with oil and then rub your chosen blend of herbs and spices over the meat.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for raw chicken breasts in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken breasts and whether they are frozen or not.

If you are using frozen chicken breasts, it is recommended to thaw them first before coating them with spices and cooking them in the air fryer. This creates the best texture for your chicken rather than putting your frozen chicken directly in the air fryer. If you are cooking from frozen, cook for an extra 2-3 minutes per side.

For smaller or medium-sized chicken breasts, cook for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C) on one side, then flip the chicken over and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C). If your chicken breasts are very large, they may need an extra 5-7 minutes to cook through.

If you are using thicker, un-sliced chicken breasts, air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 13 minutes and check the temperature to confirm they are done (165°F or 73°C).

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is always good to check the manufacturer's instructions. Additionally, it is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken, as overcooking can result in dry and tough chicken.

Resting the chicken

When meat is cooked, the heat causes the juices to move towards the centre of the meat. By letting the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving, these juices have time to move back throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is tender and moist. The resting period also gives the proteins in the chicken time to relax and reabsorb some of the moisture lost during the cooking process. This helps prevent the meat from drying out and becoming tough when sliced and served.

The length of time you should let your chicken rest depends on the size of the meat. A whole chicken or a large cut of meat should be rested for longer than a small cut. For example, a whole chicken or a large beef or pork roast should be allowed to rest for longer than a few slices of chicken in a stir fry. As a general rule, chicken breasts should be allowed to rest for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking. This will give the meat time to relax and the juices to redistribute, without allowing it to get cold.

If you are cooking breaded chicken, it is recommended to let the breading sit on the chicken before frying. This helps the coating adhere better to the meat and creates a crispier texture when fried. Ideally, the breaded chicken should be allowed to rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before frying.

Reheating and storing

Storing and reheating chicken breast in an air fryer is a simple process. It is important to note that the reheating time depends on the size of the chicken breasts and the type of air fryer being used. Small basket air fryers will reheat food faster than large basket ones.

Storing

To store cooked chicken breasts, let the chicken cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It is recommended to label and date the containers to keep track of how long the chicken has been stored.

Freezing

Chicken breasts can be frozen for later use. To do this, slice, dice, or shred the chicken before placing it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight freezer-safe storage container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months.

Reheating

To reheat chicken breasts, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. If the chicken has been sliced, a temperature of 360 degrees F can be used. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without stacking them. For sliced chicken breasts, a cooking time of 2-3 minutes at 360 degrees F is sufficient. For whole chicken breasts, reheat for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the reheated chicken reaches at least 165 degrees F to ensure it is safe to consume.

Food Safety

It is important to follow food safety guidelines when reheating chicken. Leftover reheated chicken breast should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Avoid reheating leftovers multiple times to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination. Always wash hands, utensils, and countertops thoroughly after handling raw chicken.

Frequently asked questions