Air Fryer Chicken: Marinade Magic Or Mess?

can i put marinated chicken in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook marinated chicken in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy method that produces a juicy and tender result. The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken pieces and the type of air fryer, but it generally takes between 10 and 30 minutes. You can use any cut of chicken and a variety of marinades, making this a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste.

Characteristics	Values
Can I put marinated chicken in the air fryer?	Yes
Marinade ingredients	Oil, balsamic or red wine vinegar, coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce, dried basil or another herb like oregano along with garlic powder, pepper, and a pinch of salt
Marinade time	30 minutes to 24 hours
Air fryer temperature	360 degrees Fahrenheit for white meat, 400 degrees Fahrenheit for dark meat
Air fryer time	10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Chicken cuts	Your preferred cut of chicken! Bone-in, boneless, skin-on, skinless, white meat, dark meat
Marinade alternatives	Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, chilli flakes, mixed herbs, olive oil

Marinade ingredients and prep

Preparing a marinade for chicken is a simple process. The ingredients and prep methods vary slightly depending on the recipe, but the basic steps are as follows:

Coriander/Cilantro Lime Marinade:

Combine 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of clear honey, 1 teaspoon of garlic purée, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh coriander/cilantro, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Curry Yoghurt Marinade:

Add 1 teaspoon of garlic purée, 1 teaspoon of ginger purée, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt, 2 teaspoons of mild curry powder, 1 teaspoon each of ground turmeric, ground cumin, and dried coriander/cilantro leaf, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Balsamic Marinade:

Add 2 teaspoons of garlic purée, 1 tablespoon each of balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Hawaiian Summer Marinade:

Combine 2 tablespoons each of pineapple juice, barbecue sauce, and tomato ketchup, the juice and finely grated zest of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon each of garlic purée and ginger purée, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Honey & Garlic Marinade:

Add 1 tablespoon each of white wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons of garlic purée, 100g/3½oz/⅓ cup of clear honey, ¼ teaspoon of dried parsley, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Moroccan Spice Marinade:

Add 1 teaspoon each of garlic purée and ginger purée, 2 teaspoons of tomato purée/paste, 1 teaspoon of harissa paste, 4 tablespoons of passata, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon each of dried coriander/cilantro leaf, ground cumin, and smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Sweet Chilli Marinade:

Add 240g/8½oz/¾ cup of sweet chilli sauce, 1 teaspoon each of garlic purée and ginger purée, ¼ of a red bell pepper/capsicum, finely chopped, ½ teaspoon of Chinese 5-spice powder, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.

Air Fryer Chicken Marinade:

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic granules, Herbs de Provence, salt, and black pepper until combined.

Blue Jean Chef's Marinade:

Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and the juice of half a lemon in a small bowl.

Once you've prepared your chosen marinade, you can move on to the next step, which is to marinate the chicken.

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Marinating time

Marinating the chicken is a crucial step in infusing flavour and moisture into the meat. The optimal marinating time for chicken is between 30 minutes to 24 hours. While a shorter marination time of 30 minutes will still impart flavour, allowing the chicken to soak in the marinade for a longer duration, up to 24 hours, will enhance the taste and tenderness of the meat.

It is important to note that marinating chicken for longer than 24 hours is not recommended, as the meat may start to break down and become mushy. Additionally, frozen chicken does not absorb marinades well, so it is best to defrost the chicken before marinating.

The marinating time also depends on the type of marinade used. For example, a marinade with honey or brown sugar may cause the chicken to burn more easily, so it is advisable to use such marinades sparingly.

Overall, allowing your chicken to marinate for an adequate amount of time, but not exceeding 24 hours, will result in juicy and flavourful chicken that can be cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

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Air fryer temperature

Yes, you can cook marinated chicken in an air fryer. The temperature and cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces and the model of your air fryer.

Chicken breasts can be cooked in the air fryer at temperatures ranging from 360 °F to 415 °F. The cooking time will vary from 10 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the breasts. For example, small breasts (4-5 oz) will take 10-12 minutes at 360 °F, while larger breasts (9-12 oz) may need up to 20 minutes.

Chicken thighs and drumsticks can also be cooked in the air fryer. The cooking time will be longer than for breasts due to the higher fat content and darker meat. You can use the same marinades and follow similar cooking procedures.

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. Additionally, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process ensures even cooking.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is advisable to keep an eye on the chicken while it is cooking to prevent overcooking or drying out.

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Cooking time

The cooking time for marinated chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken and whether it is cooked from fresh or frozen.

For fresh chicken, a smaller chicken breast will take 15 minutes, a medium-sized breast will take 20 minutes, and a large breast will take 25 minutes in the air fryer. Frozen marinated chicken will take around 38 minutes.

If you are cooking chicken legs, these will take between 20 and 30 minutes, and chicken thighs will take between 18 and 20 minutes.

It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F/74°C.