Air Fryer Chicken: Safe To Put Raw Chicken?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, cooking chicken in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare this meat. It is also energy-efficient, as you do not need to heat up your whole oven. The air fryer's quick preheat time of 2-3 minutes means you can season your chicken and put it straight into the fryer.

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking raw chicken in an air fryer. Firstly, you should not overcrowd the basket. While the chicken pieces can be touching, make sure they are not overlapping. Secondly, it is important to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Finally, it is recommended to let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat juicy.

The cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken you are preparing, but generally, it will take less time to cook in an air fryer than in a regular oven. For example, chicken breasts take around 15 minutes in the air fryer but 20 minutes or more in a regular oven.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried chicken depend on the size and type of chicken. For instance, the cooking time and temperature for a whole chicken are different from those of chicken breasts or wings.

For a whole chicken, you can cook it at 360°F for 30 minutes, then flip it and cook for another 12-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For chicken breasts, the cooking time and temperature vary depending on their size. Small breasts (5-7 ounces) should be cooked for 7-10 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 ounces) for 10-12 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) for 12-16 minutes. The ideal temperature is 375°F.

If you are cooking chicken wings, you can cook them at 360°F for 12 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking times mentioned above may vary depending on your air fryer model. It is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken using an instant-read thermometer to ensure it has reached 165°F, which is the safe temperature for poultry.

Additionally, when cooking chicken in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer, mist or drizzle the chicken with olive oil, season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and flip it halfway through the cooking process.

Using frozen chicken

Yes, you can put frozen raw chicken in an air fryer! This is a great option if you forget to thaw your chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound into an even thickness.
• Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season as desired.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
• Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• Check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees F.

You can also cook frozen chicken thighs or wings in the air fryer. Just be sure to use boneless chicken thighs for quicker cooking.

Note that the results may not be as juicy as when you brine or pound the chicken to an even thickness, but it's still a great option for a quick and easy meal.

Marinating and seasoning

There are many different marinades you can use for your chicken, but a popular option is coriander/cilantro lime. To make this marinade, add 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp clear honey, 1 tsp garlic purée, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander/cilantro, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to a bowl and stir well.

If you don't want to use a marinade, you can simply season your chicken with salt and pepper, or a blend of spices. A popular seasoning blend includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

How to avoid smoke

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. Here are some tips to avoid smoke when cooking chicken in an air fryer:

Choose the Right Cut of Chicken

Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The skin on grilled wings can be rubbery, and skinless chicken allows the smoke to penetrate the meat.

Prepare the Chicken

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and helps to avoid overcooking the thinner end. You can use a meat mallet or rolling pin and cover the chicken with plastic wrap while pounding.

Brine or Marinate the Chicken

Brining or marinating the chicken can help keep it moist and flavourful. If you brine the chicken, use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling with salt). For a dry brine, place the chicken uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to one day. If you marinate the chicken, use a prepared Italian dressing and leave it for up to 24 hours. Drain and pat the chicken dry with paper towels before air frying.

Oil and Season the Chicken

Brush or mist the chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil before adding seasonings to ensure they stick. You can use homemade seasoned salt (a blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika) or your favourite spice blend.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking chicken in the air fryer at temperatures between 350°F and 425°F.

Cook the Chicken

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket or tray. Spritz with oil to help crisp the spices and the outside of the chicken. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spritz with oil again. Avoid overcooking the chicken, as this can lead to dryness. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F.

Rest the Chicken

After air frying, transfer the chicken to a platter or cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps keep the juices locked inside, ensuring the chicken stays moist and juicy.

Air fryer settings

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, giving it a nice firm, juicy texture, similar to roasted or baked chicken. It is also a time-saving method, as it takes less time to cook chicken in an air fryer than in a regular oven.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Before cooking chicken in an air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer between 360-400°F (around 180-200°C).

Cooking Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer seems to be around 375°F (190°C). This temperature ensures the chicken is cooked evenly and thoroughly without drying it out.

Cooking Time

The cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken being cooked. For example, small boneless chicken breasts (around 5-8 oz or 150-230g) will take around 10-12 minutes, while larger breasts (9-12 oz or 250-340g) will need 16-20 minutes.

Bone-in chicken breasts will also take longer to cook than boneless, and should be cooked at a slightly lower temperature of 400°F (200°C) for 5-6 minutes.

For a whole chicken, it is recommended to cook it at 360°F (180°C) for 30 minutes breast-side down, and then flip it and cook for an additional 12-22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer

• It is not necessary to use a pan in the air fryer, the chicken can go directly into the air fryer basket. However, if the chicken has a lot of sauce or cheese, it is recommended to use a tray or aluminium foil to catch any drips.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. It is important to leave space between the pieces of chicken to allow for proper air circulation, which ensures even cooking and browning.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165°F (75°C). Removing the chicken from the air fryer at a temperature of 155-160°F (68-70°C) and letting it rest for a few minutes will result in juicier meat.
• Brining the chicken before cooking can help improve its texture and flavour by making it juicier and more seasoned throughout. This can be done by sprinkling the chicken with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Thinly slicing the chicken breasts before cooking can help ensure even cooking and increase the surface area for the seasonings to adhere to.
• Coating the chicken with oil or another fat, such as avocado oil or olive oil, will help the seasonings stick to the meat and keep it moist.
• Seasoning the chicken with a variety of herbs and spices can add flavour and make the chicken taste delicious. Some popular seasonings include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Frequently asked questions