Air Fryer Chicken And Fries: Can You Do Both?

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, juicy, and tender chicken and fries without the mess and time of deep frying or pan frying. The air fryer's ability to minimise oil usage while maximising texture makes it a popular choice for those wanting a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. In addition to the health benefits, air fryers also save time and effort in the kitchen, making them a convenient option for busy individuals and families. With the ability to cook chicken and fries simultaneously, air fryers offer a quick and easy solution for a delicious and crispy meal.

Cooking times and temperatures

When cooking chicken and fries together in an air fryer, the cooking times and temperatures will depend on the type of chicken and fries you are using, as well as the size of your air fryer.

For example, if you are cooking frozen chicken tenders and frozen curly fries, you will need to set the temperature between 390°F and 400°F and the time between 22 and 30 minutes. If you are using a Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 8-qt. 2-Basket Air Fryer with DualZone Technology, you can cook these two foods simultaneously by setting each zone to its respective temperature and time.

If you are cooking fresh chicken fries and frozen French fries, the chicken fries will take 10 minutes to cook at 340°F/170°C, while the French fries will take 12 minutes at the same temperature. In this case, you can add the chicken fries to the air fryer after 4 minutes of cooking time for the French fries so that both are ready at the same time.

For frozen chicken fries, the cooking time is 10-12 minutes at 400°F. If you are cooking a full bag of frozen chicken fries, you will need to increase the cooking time and shake the air fryer basket at the halfway point.

When cooking chicken strips, it is important to check them frequently to prevent overcooking and drying them out. The strips are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F to 170°F in the thickest part.

If you are cooking breaded chicken, you can spritz it with vegetable oil at the halfway point to achieve an extra crispy exterior.

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before cooking and to flip the food halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Chicken preparation

Butterfly the Chicken:

Start by butterflying the chicken breasts. This involves slicing the chicken breasts down the sides to create thinner fillets. This technique helps the chicken cook more evenly and ensures that the seasoning reaches all parts of the meat.

Slice the Chicken:

Once you have butterflied the chicken breasts, it's time to slice them into strips. Cut the chicken breast vertically on the longest side into thin, even strips. Aim for a thickness of about 1 inch. This will ensure the chicken cooks through evenly and gives them the classic "fry" shape.

Season the Chicken:

Place the sliced chicken into a bowl and add your desired seasonings. A simple yet effective combination is garlic powder, white pepper, onion powder, and salt. You can also experiment with other spices like paprika, black pepper, or dried herbs such as oregano and parsley. Massage the spices into the chicken to ensure even distribution.

Prepare the Flour Mixture:

In a separate container, prepare a flour mixture by combining all-purpose flour and cornmeal. You can also add some seasonings to this mixture for extra flavor. Seal the container and shake it to ensure the ingredients are well combined. This flour mixture will be used to coat the chicken and give it a crispy texture.

Coat the Chicken:

Take each piece of chicken and coat it with the flour mixture. You can do this by placing the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag with the flour mixture and shaking until all the pieces are evenly coated. Alternatively, you can dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture and turn it to coat all sides. Ensure you shake off any excess flour.

Prepare the Egg Mixture:

Create an egg wash by whisking eggs in a shallow bowl. This step is part of the classic breading technique, which gives the chicken a crispy coating. You can add a small amount of water to the eggs if desired, but it is not necessary.

Bread the Chicken:

Dip each piece of floured chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off, then place the chicken into a bowl of breadcrumbs. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. Ensure the chicken is fully coated, then place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack if cooking in batches.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Before adding the chicken to the air fryer, preheat the appliance to 340°F/170°C. This step ensures the chicken starts cooking immediately and promotes even cooking. Additionally, brush the air fryer basket with oil or use a cooking spray to prevent sticking and add a crispy texture to your chicken.

Air Fry the Chicken:

Place the chicken fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry the chicken for about 10 minutes at 340°F/170°C. For best results, turn the chicken fries over halfway through the cooking process. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165ºF (75ºC) to ensure it is cooked through.

Serve:

Air-fried chicken fries are best served hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular options include ketchup, honey mustard, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, spicy mayonnaise, or a squeeze of lemon juice. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken!

Air fryer preparation

Firstly, you will need to prepare your chicken. For this method, you can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them down the sides to create thinner fillets, then slice them into thin strips, about 1-inch thick. Place the chicken strips into a bowl and season with your desired spices. A simple combination of garlic powder, white pepper, onion powder, and salt works well. You can also marinate the chicken in buttermilk for extra tenderness.

Next, you will need to create a breading for the chicken. This typically involves a flour dredge and an egg wash. Add some flour and cornmeal to a food bag and combine. Then, add the chicken pieces and shake until they are coated. In a separate bowl, whisk a couple of eggs to create an egg wash. In another shallow bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and your choice of seasonings. Dip the floured chicken into the egg wash, shake off any excess, and then place it into the seasoned breadcrumbs.

Now it's time to prepare your fries. Cut some Russet potatoes into thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse the potatoes with cold water until the water runs clear, then soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Pat the potatoes dry with paper towels and then rub them with vegetable oil. Season the fries with salt and ground black pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer.

Once your chicken and fries are prepared, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 340°F/170°C for chicken fries or 400°F for chicken tenders and fries. Brush the air fryer basket with oil or use a cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken and fries in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. It's best to cook them in a single layer for even cooking and maximum crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken and fries in batches.

Set the timer for the appropriate cooking time. For chicken fries, cook for about 10 minutes, turning them over halfway through. For chicken tenders and fries, cook for about 22-28 minutes for the chicken and 30-38 minutes for the fries. Be sure to check the food periodically and shake the basket to ensure even cooking.

Once the cooking time is up, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (75°C). If it has, your chicken and fries are ready to be served! Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.

Oil usage

When cooking chicken and fries in an air fryer, it is recommended to use oil sparingly. Lightly spraying the chicken with oil before and during the air frying process is often suggested. This helps to hydrate the flour coating and ensures the chicken is crispy and browned.

Some recipes suggest brushing oil on the preheated air fryer basket or using a cooking spray to cover the base of the basket before placing the chicken inside. This helps to prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket and ensures even cooking.

For frozen chicken fries, spraying them with oil is also recommended to mimic the deep frying golden brown colour. However, it is not necessary to spray the basket first.

When cooking chicken and fries together in the air fryer, it is important to consider the different cooking times for each item. The trick is to add each item into the air fryer according to its individual cooking time. For example, if frozen French fries take 12 minutes to cook and the chicken takes 8 minutes, add the chicken to the air fryer after 4 minutes so that both are cooked at the same time.

Additionally, shaking the air fryer basket at least twice during the cooking cycle is recommended for optimal results.

Serving suggestions

Chicken and fries cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of dips and sauces, including ketchup, honey mustard, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, spicy mayonnaise, or a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also serve them with ranch dressing, or a homemade sauce such as barbecue sauce made with ketchup, buttermilk ranch dressing, buttermilk blue cheese dressing, or creamy avocado ranch dressing.

If you want to turn your chicken fries from an appetizer to a meal, you can add some side dishes such as:

• Air Fryer Ore Ida Tater Crowns
• Air Fryer Frozen French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Truffle Fries
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
• Homemade Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Chicken tenders and fries can be served with ranch dressing, or dipped in ketchup or BBQ sauce.

Frequently asked questions