Air-Fryer Chicken And Potatoes: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Meal

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook chicken and potatoes, with the added benefit of being able to cook both at the same time. This method of cooking yields a crispy exterior and juicy interior for the chicken, and perfectly seasoned potatoes. The entire meal can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for a quick, weeknight dinner.

Chicken and potatoes in an air fryer: a simple, tasty, and quick weeknight dinner

Air Fryer Chicken and Potatoes is a super easy and tasty weeknight dinner idea. This simple recipe consists of chicken, potatoes, and a mix of seasonings cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a delicious and healthy meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• Chicken: Boneless and skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized cubes. You can also use bone-in chicken thighs for a longer cook time.
• Potatoes: Yukon Gold, Red, Russet, or Baby potatoes cut into bite-sized cubes. You can peel them or keep the skin on.
• Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil for flavor and to help adhere the spices.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices of your choice.

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F-400°F (depending on the model and your preference).
• Prepare the potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the potato cubes with half of the oil and your desired seasonings. Ensure they are well coated.
• Air fry the potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Air fry for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Prepare the chicken: In the same bowl, coat the chicken cubes with the remaining oil and seasonings.
• Add chicken to the air fryer: After the potatoes have cooked for 10 minutes, push them to one side of the basket and add the seasoned chicken to the other side.
• Air fry the chicken and potatoes: Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes. The total cook time for the chicken is about 10 minutes, and it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The potatoes will need about 20 minutes of cook time in total.
• Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. The potatoes should be golden brown.
• Garnish and serve: Remove the chicken and potatoes from the air fryer, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Tips and Variations:

• Spices and herbs: Feel free to adjust the amount of spices and herbs to your preference. You can also use pre-made spice blends like Italian seasoning, fajita seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.
• Flip and shake: For even cooking and browning, flip the chicken and shake the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.
• Avoid overcrowding: Leave some space between the chicken and potatoes in the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
• Storage and reheating: This meal stores and reheats well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.

Enjoy your tasty and quick weeknight dinner of Air Fryer Chicken and Potatoes!

How to prepare the chicken and potatoes for cooking in an air fryer

Preparing chicken and potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook a tasty, healthy meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare chicken and potatoes for cooking in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

You will need the following ingredients:

• Chicken – you can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs.
• Potatoes – any type of potato works, but Yukon gold or baby potatoes are recommended.
• Oil – avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil are all good options.
• Seasonings – you can use a variety of seasonings such as garlic, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Preparation:

First, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer between 375°F and 400°F.

Next, prepare the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces, about 1-inch or 1/2-inch chunks. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with oil. Add your desired seasonings and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.

Now, prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces if using breasts. If using thighs, you can leave them whole. Place the chicken in the same mixing bowl and drizzle with oil and seasonings, tossing to coat.

Cooking:

Once your ingredients are prepared, it's time to cook! Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the basket and move the potatoes to one side. Add the chicken to the other side of the basket and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.

Check the doneness of the chicken by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked. If it hasn't reached the desired temperature, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and check again.

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the air fryer basket and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried chicken and potatoes!

The best spices and seasonings to use for chicken and potatoes in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken and potatoes, and the best part is that you can get creative with the spices and seasonings to make a delicious and healthy meal. Here are some ideas for the best spices and seasonings to use for chicken and potatoes in an air fryer:

Spices and Seasonings for Chicken and Potatoes

• Garlic Powder: This is a must-have spice for chicken and potatoes in an air fryer. It adds a savoury flavour to the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: This seasoning blend typically includes basil, oregano, and other herbs, giving your chicken and potatoes a delicious Italian twist.
• Paprika: Adding a smoky flavour and a beautiful red colour to your dish, paprika is a great addition to your spice blend.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasoning with salt and pepper is essential to enhance the natural flavours of the chicken and potatoes.
• Chilli Flakes: For those who like it spicy, chilli flakes will add a nice kick to your meal.
• Fresh Thyme: Thyme adds an earthy, slightly minty flavour to your chicken and potatoes.
• Cumin: Cumin brings warmth and a nutty taste to your dish.
• Onion Powder: Onion powder is a great way to add the flavour of onion to your dish without having to chop any onions!

Custom Blends

If you want to get creative, you can make your own custom spice blends by mixing and matching from a wide variety of spices. Here are some ideas for custom blends:

• Taco Seasoning: A blend of cumin powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
• Brazilian Spice Mix: A blend of oregano, paprika, cumin, black pepper, coriander, thyme, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg.
• Indian Tandoori Seasoning: A packet of tandoori seasoning and ginger garlic paste from an Indian supermarket, along with yoghurt and lemon juice, will give your chicken an authentic Indian flavour.

Tips for Air Frying Chicken and Potatoes

When air frying chicken and potatoes, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Cut the chicken and potatoes into even-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
• Pat the chicken dry before adding spices to allow the seasoning to stick better.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken and potatoes in a single layer for even cooking.
• Flip the chicken and shake the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
• Use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• For extra crispiness, consider dredging the chicken in flour or breadcrumbs before air frying.

Step-by-step guide to cooking chicken and potatoes in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs.
• Potatoes – any type of potatoes works, cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Oil – olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.
• Seasonings – garlic, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Optional – bell peppers, baby carrots, or other vegetables.

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F (190°C and 204°C).
• Prepare your spice mix by combining your chosen seasonings.
• In a large mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with half of the spice mix and half of the oil.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• While the potatoes are cooking, toss the chicken with the remaining spice mix and oil until well coated.
• After the potatoes have cooked for 10-12 minutes, remove the basket and move the potatoes to one side. Add the chicken to the other side.
• Cook for a further 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F (74°C).
• Remove from the air fryer, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve.

Tips:

• You can check the doneness of the chicken by cutting into it to see if it is cooked in the middle.
• It is recommended to let chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• You can vary the seasonings and vegetables used to suit your taste.
• Make sure to cut the potatoes and chicken into similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

Tips for customising and serving chicken and potatoes from an air fryer

Customising your chicken and potatoes

The great thing about cooking chicken and potatoes in an air fryer is that you can customise the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Spices and seasonings: You can use a variety of spices and seasonings to add flavour to your chicken and potatoes. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, cumin, and chilli flakes. You can also use pre-made spice blends such as Cajun seasoning, peri peri seasoning, or BBQ seasoning.
• Oil: Olive oil is a popular choice for air fryer chicken and potatoes, but you can also use avocado oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or butter.
• Potatoes: Any type of potato will work, such as russet, Yukon gold, or baby potatoes. Just make sure to cut them into even-sized cubes or pieces for even cooking.
• Chicken: You can use either boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs for this recipe. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or cubes, and make sure they are similar in size to the potato pieces for even cooking.
• Vegetables: In addition to potatoes, you can add other vegetables to your air fryer, such as bell peppers, broccoli, onions, or zucchini.

Serving your chicken and potatoes

Once you've cooked your chicken and potatoes in the air fryer, here are some tips for serving:

• Checking for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C-75°C).
• Resting and serving: It is recommended to let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. You can serve your chicken and potatoes with a side of vegetables, a salad, or a dip of your choice.
• Garnishes: Chopped parsley makes a great garnish for this dish.
• Sauces: You can also serve your chicken and potatoes with a sauce, such as romesco or pesto, or make your own like creamy sriracha mayo or sweet and sour sauce.
• Storage and reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions