Air Fryer Chicken: Foil Wrapping For Beginners

Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a great way to make a delicious meal in a short amount of time. But can you wrap chicken in foil in an air fryer? The answer is yes, and doing so has several benefits. Wrapping chicken in foil helps retain moisture and prevents the meat from drying out, leading to a juicy and tender dish. It also reduces mess, prevents burning, and makes meal prepping more convenient. However, there are some potential drawbacks to this method. Wrapping chicken in foil may result in inconsistent cooking and reduced crispiness. Additionally, there is a potential interaction between acidic or salty foods and aluminium foil, which may lead to aluminium leaching into the food. Nonetheless, with the right techniques and considerations, you can successfully cook foil-wrapped chicken in an air fryer.

Advantages of wrapping chicken in foil

Wrapping chicken in foil before placing it in the air fryer has several advantages.

Firstly, it helps to retain moisture, resulting in juicy and tender chicken. The foil acts as a barrier, preventing the chicken from drying out and ensuring that the meat's natural juices are sealed in.

Secondly, wrapping chicken in foil can enhance the flavour of the dish. If you've marinated the chicken, the foil will keep the marinade close to the meat, intensifying the flavours. Additionally, you can add vegetables, herbs, and spices to the foil packet, infusing the chicken with even more flavour.

Thirdly, cooking chicken in foil can reduce the mess and make cleanup easier. The foil catches the grease and drippings, so you simply need to throw it away and wipe your air fryer clean.

Another benefit of foil-wrapped chicken is the reduced likelihood of burning. The foil prevents the exterior of the chicken from drying out and burning, ensuring that your meal is cooked evenly and thoroughly.

Finally, wrapping chicken in foil is convenient for meal prepping. You can separate individual chicken pieces or create different flavour packets for each family member, making it easier to prepare meals that cater to everyone's tastes.

Disadvantages of wrapping chicken in foil

Wrapping chicken in foil before placing it in an air fryer has its benefits, but there are also some disadvantages to this method.

One of the main drawbacks is that it can interfere with the even cooking of the chicken. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, and wrapping chicken in foil can disrupt this process, leading to inconsistent or uneven cooking. This can result in some parts of the chicken being undercooked or overcooked.

Another disadvantage is that wrapping chicken in foil can reduce the crispiness of the skin or coating. The foil creates a barrier that prevents the hot air from directly contacting the chicken, resulting in a less crispy texture compared to when the chicken is cooked uncovered. If a crispy exterior is desired, wrapping the chicken in foil may not be the best option.

Additionally, there is a potential interaction between the foil and certain foods. While uncommon, acidic or salty foods may react with the aluminium foil, causing leaching of aluminium into the food. This can give the chicken a metallic taste and potentially make it unsafe to consume. It is important to note that the implications of aluminium ingestion are still being debated within the culinary community.

Furthermore, environmental concerns come into play when using aluminium foil. As it is not biodegradable, regular use can have a negative impact on the environment.

Lastly, wrapping chicken in foil can affect cooking time. The foil traps moisture and heat, creating a steaming effect, which can lengthen the cooking process.

While wrapping chicken in foil for an air fryer has its benefits, such as moisture retention, marinade infusion, and reduced mess, it is important to carefully consider these disadvantages before deciding on this cooking method.

Tips for wrapping chicken in foil

Wrapping chicken in foil before placing it in an air fryer is a great way to retain moisture and prevent the meat from drying out. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

Choose the Right Foil

Use heavy-duty aluminium foil instead of regular foil. It will better withstand the high temperatures of the air fryer.

Prepare the Chicken

Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil or any other kind of vegetable oil or butter. Oiling the chicken adds flavour and prevents it from sticking to the foil. You can also omit the oil if you prefer.

Seasoning

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any other seasonings you like. You can also use a dry rub to enhance the flavour and create a crispy outside. Make shallow cuts in the chicken breast to help the spices adhere better.

Wrapping

Measure out about 12" of aluminium foil for each breast. Layer the chicken with vegetables and/or marinades, if desired. Evenly layer the ingredients to allow for better infusion of flavours.

Seal the foil package securely, folding over the edges to create a tight seal. This will keep the juices and flavours locked in. However, do not wrap the chicken too tightly. Leave some room in the foil package to allow for airflow and heat circulation, ensuring even cooking. You can also poke a few small holes in the top of the foil to enhance airflow.

Cooking

Always preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the chicken. Place the foil-wrapped chicken in the air fryer basket or on a tray to catch any drips.

Cook thick chicken breasts for about 30 minutes at 400°F and thinner pieces for 20-25 minutes at the same temperature. Check the chicken for doneness midway through the cooking time, as foil-wrapping can affect cooking time.

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). If the chicken is not done, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until it reaches the desired temperature.

Serving

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking and before opening the foil. This helps the juices redistribute, making the chicken more tender and juicy. For a crispy texture, unwrap the chicken and return it to the air fryer for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Chicken foil recipes

Yes, you can wrap chicken in foil in an air fryer. In fact, there are several benefits to doing so. Firstly, it makes cleaning up easier, as the foil holds all the grease, meaning you only need to wipe your fryer clean. It also prevents sticking and keeps smaller pieces from slipping through. Wrapping chicken in foil seals in natural juices, leaving you with a moist, delicious chicken. It also helps chicken breast cook more evenly.

Garlic and Herb Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
• 1/2 lemon, thickly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, peel left on, chopped in half
• A handful of herbs (parsley, basil, rosemary, coriander, dill or chives)
• A teaspoon of olive oil
• A pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions:

• Add the olive oil to the centre of the tin foil and spread it around in an area the size of the chicken breast.
• Add the garlic and herbs to the centre of the tin foil sheet, on top of the olive oil.
• Lay the chicken breast on top and add the lemon slice.
• Add the salt and pepper.
• Scrunch the edges of the tin foil together so that it seals tightly.
• Put the chicken in foil into the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes at 200C.
• Carefully remove the foil packet using tongs and unwrap.
• Check that the chicken is cooked through properly and to at least 75C core temperature. If not, re-seal the foil packet and continue cooking, checking every 5 minutes.
• Serve with your favourite side dish.

Air Fryer Pizza Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
• 2 tbsp tomato pizza sauce or salsa
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 30g grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• A teaspoon of olive oil
• A pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions:

Follow the same instructions as above, adding the cheese 5 minutes before the end of cooking by opening the packet and sprinkling on the cheese. Finish cooking with the packet open so the cheese melts and browns.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
• 3 stems of tender stem broccoli
• 4 baby sweetcorn, sliced in half
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp teriyaki sauce
• A teaspoon of olive oil
• A pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions:

Follow the same instructions as the Garlic and Herb Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe above.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
• 1/2 red pepper, sliced
• 1/2 green pepper, sliced
• 1 slice of pineapple, tinned
• 1 tbsp barbecue sauce
• A teaspoon of olive oil
• A pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions:

Follow the same instructions as the Garlic and Herb Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe above. The BBQ chicken foil packs are delicious topped with sour cream or ranch dressing with bacon bits.

Chicken foil cooking times

The cooking time for chicken foil packets in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts and the temperature you're cooking at. A small chicken breast wrapped in foil will cook for 8-10 minutes at 400°F (205°C). Larger chicken breasts may take up to an hour or more. Preheating your air fryer can substantially reduce cooking times.

For example, one recipe recommends cooking chicken breasts for 8-10 minutes at 365°F (185°C). Another recipe cooks chicken breasts for 30 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type and quality of your air fryer. Additionally, if you wrap your chicken breasts with the shiny side of the foil facing inward, it may cook faster and brown more.

Always ensure that your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Frequently asked questions