Air-Fried Chicken: Baking Without An Oven

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, making them juicy and tender. They are essentially a mini convection oven that cooks food faster than a typical oven by circulating hot air around the food. This cuts down cooking time by 30-40%.

You can season the chicken breasts with pepper and homemade seasoned salt, or marinate them in Italian dressing. You can also brush or mist them with extra virgin olive oil.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, but generally, it takes around 10-20 minutes to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer. It is recommended to cook chicken breasts at 360-400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken, an air fryer is a great option!

How to prep your chicken for the air fryer

There are a few steps you can take to ensure your chicken is ready for the air fryer. Firstly, decide whether you want to marinate or brine your chicken. Brining involves covering the chicken with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes, while marinating involves soaking the chicken in a mixture of spices, oil and other flavourings. If you opt for brining, you can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). If you opt for marinating, you can use a variety of ingredients such as Italian dressing, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. You can also add a little oil to your chicken to help the seasonings stick.

Once you've brined or marinated your chicken, it's important to pat it dry. This will ensure that your chicken still has all the flavour from the brine or marinade, but will also give it that crispy texture that air frying is famous for.

Next, you'll want to decide whether to pound your chicken. Pounding the chicken will ensure that it cooks evenly and results in a juicier end product. To do this, simply cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken to an even thickness.

Finally, you can season your chicken with your desired spices. You can use a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper, or get creative with other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley.

Now your chicken is ready for the air fryer!

How to cook your chicken in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep fryers, allowing you to cut out excess oil while still achieving an ultra-crispy texture. They are also faster than a typical oven, as the rapid circulation of hot air cooks food more quickly.

How to prep your chicken:

You can marinate or brine your chicken before cooking to make it extra tender and juicy. If you're looking for a super-crisp finish, pat your chicken dry after marinating or brining. You can also coat your chicken in oil before adding your choice of seasoning or spice rub.

Preheat your air fryer and place your prepped chicken in the fryer basket. Be sure to flip your chicken partway through the cooking process.

The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken, and whether it has bones. Here are some cooking time guidelines:

• Whole chicken: 400°F, 30 minutes on the first side, 12–22 minutes on the other
• Boneless chicken breast: 400°F, 10 minutes on the first side, 5–8 minutes on the other
• Bone-in chicken thighs: 400°F, 15 minutes on the first side, 10–15 minutes on the other
• Chicken drumsticks: 400°F, 10 minutes on the first side, 10–12 minutes on the other

Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.

Top tips for success:

• Pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure they cook evenly.
• Don't crowd the basket. Chicken pieces can be touching, but make sure they're not overlapping.
• Let your chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.

How long to cook chicken breast in an air fryer:

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Here are some guidelines:

• Small breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes
• Medium breasts (6 to 8 ounces): 10 to 15 minutes
• Large breasts (9 to 12 ounces): 13 to 20 minutes

What temperature and how long to cook your chicken

The temperature and duration for which you cook chicken in an air fryer depend on the size and type of the chicken cut. Here is a breakdown of the temperature and cooking time for different cuts of chicken:

Whole Chicken

Cook the whole chicken at 400°F for 30 minutes on the first side, and 12 to 22 minutes on the other side.

Boneless Chicken Breast

Cook boneless chicken breasts at 400°F for 10 minutes on the first side, and 5 to 8 minutes on the other side. If you are using an air fryer that only goes up to 400°F, cook the chicken for a minimum of 12 minutes.

Bone-in Chicken Thighs

Cook bone-in chicken thighs at 400°F for 15 minutes on the first side, and 10 to 15 minutes on the other side.

Chicken Drumsticks

Cook chicken drumsticks at 400°F for 10 minutes on the first side, and 10 to 12 minutes on the other side.

Small Chicken Breasts (5 to 7 ounces)

Cook small chicken breasts at 375°F for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Medium Chicken Breasts (8 to 10 ounces)

Cook medium chicken breasts at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Large Chicken Breasts (11 ounces or more)

Cook large chicken breasts at 375°F for 12 to 16 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Chicken Breasts (6 to 7 ounces)

Cook chicken breasts weighing 6 to 7 ounces at 375°F for a total of 10 to 11 minutes, flipping the chicken after 7 minutes.

Chicken Breasts (8 to 9 ounces)

Cook chicken breasts weighing 8 to 9 ounces at 375°F for a total of 11 to 12 minutes, flipping the chicken after 7 minutes.

Chicken Breasts (10 ounces or larger)

Cook chicken breasts weighing 10 ounces or more at 375°F for a total of 13 to 14 minutes, flipping the chicken after 7 minutes.

Chicken Breasts (4 to 6 ounces)

Cook chicken breasts weighing 4 to 6 ounces at 400°F for 4 minutes on each side.

Chicken Breasts (8 to 10 ounces)

Cook chicken breasts weighing 8 to 10 ounces at 400°F for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Chicken Breasts (11 ounces or more)

Cook chicken breasts weighing 11 ounces or more at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

General Guidelines

• It is recommended to cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.
• The cooking time can vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is advisable to keep an eye on the chicken while it cooks.
• For best results, flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process.
• You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked to your liking.

How to serve your chicken

There are many ways to serve your chicken, alongside a variety of side dishes, salads, and vegetables.

If you're looking for a light option, you could serve your chicken with a salad. A fresh fennel and tomato salad, a cucumber salad with red onion and dill, or a fig and goat cheese salad are all great options. You could also try a heartier salad, such as a farro salad with roasted sweet potatoes, red onion, and goat cheese, or a tabbouleh salad.

If you're looking for something more substantial, you could serve your chicken with roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, or parsnips. You could also try mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or French fries.

For a more indulgent option, you could serve your chicken with mac and cheese, a cheesy broccoli gratin, or a cheesy potato and kale gratin.

If you're looking for a dish with an international twist, you could try serving your chicken with ratatouille, confit bayaldi, or Greek-style lemon potatoes.

Finally, if you're short on time, you could opt for a simple side dish such as roasted green beans, air fryer cauliflower, or sautéed French green beans.

How to store your chicken

Storing chicken correctly is essential to ensure it remains fresh and safe to eat. Here are some tips on how to store your chicken before and after cooking it in an air fryer.

Storing Raw Chicken

When storing raw chicken, it is important to keep it separate from other foods, especially those that are ready-to-eat or cooked. Use a separate cutting board and utensils for raw chicken, and do not wash the chicken in the kitchen sink as the juices can contaminate other foods and surfaces. Instead, you can pat it down with a disposable paper towel. Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw chicken.

Make sure to store raw chicken in a clean, dry, airtight container or seal it in an unused food-grade plastic bag. It is best to keep raw chicken on the lower shelves of the refrigerator to prevent dripping onto and contaminating other foods. Raw chicken can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days, while raw ground chicken will last up to 3 days. Check the packaging dates for specific storage guidelines.

Storing Cooked Chicken

Leftover cooked chicken should be refrigerated within 1-2 hours of cooking and can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. To retain its freshness and quality, place it in an airtight container or seal it in a food-grade plastic bag. Labeling the container or bag with the date it was stored will help you keep track of how many days you have left to consume it safely.

Freezing Chicken

Both raw and cooked chicken can be frozen to extend its shelf life. For raw chicken, use an airtight container or a freezer bag to prevent air from entering and causing bacterial growth. Raw chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months, while ground chicken is best used within 6 months.

For cooked chicken, freeze it within 1-2 hours of cooking and store it in an airtight container. It will last in the freezer for 4-6 months. To make the defrosting process easier, lay the chicken flat, or even in a single layer, when freezing. Always defrost frozen chicken in the refrigerator, allowing at least 24 hours for it to thaw.

Frequently asked questions