Air Fryer Breaded Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

You can definitely cook breaded chicken in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great way to make crispy, juicy, and delicious chicken without the mess of traditional frying. The air fryer's small size and efficient air circulation make it possible to cook breaded chicken in mere minutes, and the end result is evenly cooked chicken with a crispy exterior. The key to success is using thinly sliced chicken breasts and a combination of oil and breadcrumbs to create a crispy, golden coating.

Breaded chicken tenderloins

To make breaded chicken tenderloins, you will need chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts cut into strips, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings of your choice. You can also add Parmesan cheese to your breading for extra flavour. Start by seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper, or a chicken seasoning. Then, dip your chicken into an egg wash and cover it completely. Allow any excess egg to drip off, and then transfer the chicken to a bowl of flour. Make sure the chicken is covered completely in flour, and then dip it back into the egg wash. Finally, dip the chicken into a bowl of breadcrumbs, pressing down to ensure the chicken is fully coated.

When your chicken is prepared, preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will create a steaming effect instead of crisping up your chicken. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or oil, and then place it in the air fryer. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flip the chicken, spray again, and cook for another 4-6 minutes. The total cooking time should be around 10-20 minutes, depending on the temperature of your air fryer and the thickness of your chicken. You can check if your chicken is cooked by using a meat thermometer – the internal temperature should be 165°F.

Oil and seasonings

When it comes to cooking breaded chicken in an air fryer, oil is essential to achieving that crispy texture. Firstly, you'll want to drizzle a small amount of oil over your chicken pieces, coating them thoroughly. This step ensures that the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken. You can use olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil, or any oil of your choice.

After coating the chicken in oil, it's time to prepare the breading or coating. In a shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs with your desired seasonings. This step is crucial, as the seasonings added to the breading bring most of the flavor to your chicken. The specific seasonings you use will depend on your taste preferences. Some popular options include chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. If you enjoy spicy food, you can add more chili powder or include some dried chili flakes. You can also get creative and mix in some grated Parmesan or pecorino romano cheese into the breading for an extra indulgent touch.

Once your chicken pieces are coated in oil, it's time to dredge them in the seasoned breading. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly and thoroughly, shaking off any excess breading. This step ensures that the moisture is sealed in, keeping your chicken juicy. If you're using a traditional egg and flour method for breading, you can dip the chicken in an egg mixture before coating it with seasoned flour. This method also produces a delicious, crispy texture.

After breading your chicken, you might consider spraying the outside of the chicken pieces with cooking spray or oil. This additional layer of oil helps ensure even browning and adds to the crispiness of the final product. However, this step is optional, and you can decide based on your preference for crispiness.

Preheat and temperature settings

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea, although not strictly necessary. Preheating helps to ensure that your chicken will cook evenly and that the breading will crisp up properly. If you don't preheat your air fryer, you may find that the breading ends up soggy or steamed rather than crispy.

Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to around 390°F (200°C). However, the ideal temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. Some sources suggest cooking at 380°F, while others suggest 400°F (200°C) or even 425°F. It's important to refer to your air fryer's instructions and adjust the temperature as needed.

If you're cooking frozen breaded chicken, the cooking temperature is typically lower, with some sources recommending 350°F and others 400°F (200°C). Again, it's crucial to follow the instructions for your specific air fryer model and adjust accordingly.

It's worth noting that the cooking time will also vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. Thinner strips or smaller pieces will cook faster, while larger or thicker pieces may take longer. It's generally recommended to cook breaded chicken in an air fryer for around 10 to 12 minutes at 390°F, but this can range from 6 to 20 minutes, depending on the temperature and the size and type of chicken pieces you're cooking.

To ensure your chicken is cooked properly, it's best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The safe minimum internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C), but it's recommended to let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking, as the temperature will continue to rise. Some sources suggest cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, assuming it will rise to 165°F while resting.

Cooking time and flipping

The cooking time for breaded chicken in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the meat and the temperature of the air fryer. For example, thinner strips of chicken will cook faster than bone-in pieces. As a result, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly to prevent overcooking or drying out the chicken.

It is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to 380°F to 400°F and cook the chicken for about 10 minutes. You should then flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness. After flipping, you can spray the bottom side of the chicken with oil and continue cooking for another 10 to 12 minutes. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific model of your air fryer, as some may run hotter or colder than others. Therefore, it is recommended to use the recipe instructions as a starting point and make adjustments as needed. Additionally, to ensure even cooking and crispiness, it is advised to not overcrowd the air fryer basket and cook the chicken in batches if necessary.

If you are using a wire rack in your air fryer, it is recommended to cook the chicken on the rack to promote crispiness. Furthermore, pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking can help ensure even cooking.

Chicken and breadcrumbs

Breaded chicken can be cooked in an air fryer. This method is healthier than traditional frying, as it uses less oil, and it is also quicker. The air fryer's small size and efficiency mean that breaded chicken cooks in about 10 minutes.

Preparation

Firstly, prepare the chicken. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them lengthwise into thin pieces. If your air fryer has a metal rack, place it in the tray, as cooking the chicken on the rack will promote crispiness.

Next, prepare the breading/coating. In a semi-shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs with seasonings. You can use dried herbs such as parsley, oregano, and basil, or onion powder and garlic powder. You can also add grated cheese, such as Parmesan or pecorino. If you want to add extra flavour, try mixing in some ranch or BBQ seasoning. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Now, coat the chicken pieces in the breading mixture. Make sure the chicken is well-coated and that there are no excess breadcrumbs.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F. Place the chicken in the basket, ensuring the pieces do not touch, as the air needs to circulate around them. Spray the chicken pieces with oil and cook for 7-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meat, so use a meat thermometer to check when the chicken is cooked. When the internal temperature reaches 165°F, the chicken is done.

Serving

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. It goes well with salad, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or other fried chicken sides. It can also be served with a sauce, such as yogurt, ranch, or BBQ sauce.

Frequently asked questions