Air Frying Chicken: Raw Or Not?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, cooking raw chicken in an air fryer is a great way to achieve juicy, tender chicken with a crispy, golden crust. The high temperature and quick cooking time of air fryers make them perfect for cooking chicken breasts or thighs, and the convection heat ensures even cooking.

To cook raw chicken in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Then, brush or drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your choice of seasonings. You can also marinate the chicken before cooking for extra flavour. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking.

It is important to ensure that your chicken is fully cooked before consuming it. Chicken is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken.

Using an air fryer to cook raw chicken is a convenient, quick, and energy-efficient way to prepare juicy and tasty chicken.

Chicken breasts can be cooked from frozen

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great way to cook chicken breasts from frozen.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. You can spray the basket with cooking oil if you like, but this isn't essential. Place your frozen chicken breasts inside, leaving a little space between each one. Drizzle olive oil over the breasts and season as desired. Then it's simply a case of air frying for 18-30 minutes, flipping the chicken over halfway through. You can check if the chicken is cooked by piercing it with a knife and checking that the juices run clear, or by using a temperature probe—chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

• If your chicken breasts are stuck together, submerge the package in warm water for about 5 minutes, then carefully separate them with a fork or knife.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. Each breast will be slightly different and will cook at a different rate.
• Check the temperature of each breast and remove it from the air fryer when it reaches the correct temperature.
• Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, as this will be the last part to cook through.
• If one end of the breast is thinner than the other, cut off the thin end and let it rest while the thicker end finishes cooking. This will prevent the thin end from getting overcooked.
• Watch the temperature closely when the chicken reaches 130-140°F, as the internal temperature can rise by 10-15°F every 2-3 minutes after this point.
• Don't add any sauce until the last few minutes of cooking, as it will burn.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Small breasts (4-5 oz) will take around 20 minutes, medium breasts (6-8 oz) will take 25 minutes, and large breasts (10-12 oz) will take around 30 minutes.

You can use a dry brine for extra flavour

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, cooking raw chicken in an air fryer is a great way to achieve juicy, tender, and flavourful results.

Dry brining is a simple process that involves seasoning the chicken with salt and letting it rest before cooking. This technique helps the chicken retain moisture during cooking, resulting in juicy and flavourful meat. The salt interacts with the proteins in the chicken, forming a gel that traps water molecules inside. This prevents the chicken from drying out and also improves its texture, making it plump and meaty.

To dry brine your chicken, simply sprinkle kosher salt or sea salt all over the chicken breasts and let them sit in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This step is optional but highly recommended, as it makes a noticeable difference in the flavour and texture of the cooked chicken.

After dry brining, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Then, follow your chosen recipe for seasoning and cooking the chicken in the air fryer. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

Dry brining is an easy way to enhance the flavour and juiciness of air-fried chicken. By taking this extra step, you can transform your chicken into a mouth-watering, versatile protein that can be used in a variety of dishes.

It's quicker to cook chicken in an air fryer than in an oven

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, it is quicker to cook chicken in an air fryer than in an oven. An air fryer is a high-powered, countertop convection oven that cooks food faster than a typical oven due to its compact size. The rapid circulation of hot air also yields crispier food.

Compared to an oven, chicken cooks much faster in an air fryer. You will typically save around 30% to 40% of the cooking time. This is because the compact size of the air fryer allows hot air to circulate more rapidly. For example, it takes 7 to 16 minutes to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer, depending on their size.

Another benefit of using an air fryer is that you don't have to turn on the oven, which can warm up your house. An air fryer also preheats in just a few minutes, whereas an oven takes much longer.

If you're cooking for a large group of people, it might make more sense to use an oven, as you will have to cook in batches in an air fryer. However, if you're cooking for a smaller group, an air fryer is a great option for quickly and easily cooking juicy, tender, and crispy chicken.

You can cook chicken straight in the basket

Yes, you can cook chicken straight in the basket of your air fryer! This is a great way to cook chicken, as it's quicker than using an oven, it's more energy-efficient, and it gives your chicken a nice firm, juicy texture.

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking chicken in your air fryer. Firstly, you don't need to use a pan, the chicken goes straight into the basket. Secondly, the air fryer cooks things more quickly, so you'll need to keep an eye on your chicken to make sure it doesn't overcook. Thirdly, you'll want to flip your chicken over halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly.

Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking chicken in your air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F.
• Prepare your chicken by pounding it to an even thickness, brushing or misting it with olive oil, and seasoning it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or your choice of seasonings.
• Spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick spray.
• Place your chicken in the basket, making sure the pieces are touching but not overlapping.
• Cook according to the size of your chicken breasts. For example, 4-5oz breasts will take 10-12 minutes, 6-8oz breasts will take 13-15 minutes, and 9-12oz breasts could take 16-20 minutes.
• Flip your chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time.
• Check the internal temperature of your chicken with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165°F, but you can take it out a few degrees early and let it rest to reach the correct temperature.
• Let your chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

And that's it! You can also experiment with different seasonings and marinades to find your favorite flavors. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer chicken!

Chicken breasts can be used in salads, soups, and casseroles

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great way to cook chicken breasts, which can be used in salads, soups, and casseroles. Here's a simple recipe for air fryer chicken breasts:

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 7-10 ounces each)
• 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme, oregano, or other herbs
• 1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Mix the spices together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Lightly pound the chicken breasts to flatten and reduce the thickness.
• Drizzle oil over the chicken, ensuring it is well-coated.
• Sprinkle the seasoning blend on both sides of the chicken and rub it in with your hands.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer, smooth side down, and cook for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
• Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Air fryer chicken breasts are incredibly tender and juicy, and they go well with a variety of sides. You can also use the cooked chicken breasts in salads, soups, and casseroles.

For salads, try a Greek salad with chicken or a quinoa black bean salad. You can also add the chicken to a soup or casserole for a heartier meal. Some casserole ideas include chicken pasta bake and chicken pesto pasta.

So, if you're looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious way to cook chicken breasts, give the air fryer a try!

Frequently asked questions