Air-Frying Marinated Chicken: Safe Or Not?

Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. You can use any cut of chicken and any marinade you like, although it's important to let the chicken come to room temperature and rest after cooking to ensure it stays juicy. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken, but generally, it will take around 10 minutes per side for large breasts and 6-7 minutes per side for smaller breasts. You can also reheat chicken in the air fryer, making it a convenient option for meal prep.

Chicken preparation and marinade ingredients

Chicken preparation:

Firstly, choose your preferred cut of chicken. You can use any cut of chicken in an air fryer, including boneless, skinless, bone-in, skin-on, white meat, dark meat, chicken breasts, thighs, legs, drumsticks, or wings.

Next, trim any visible fat or undesirable parts from the chicken. If your chicken pieces are not a similar thickness, slice them so that they are. You can freeze any scraps to make homemade chicken stock. If you are using chicken breasts, it is recommended to cut short, shallow slits about 1/2 inch apart across the breast. This will help the marinade to penetrate the meat.

Now, you can make your marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together your chosen ingredients until well combined. See the next section for ideas on what to include in your marinade.

Pour the marinade over the chicken and massage it gently with your hand until the chicken is well coated. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 12 hours in the fridge. The longer you leave it, the more tender and flavourful it will become, but any longer than 24 hours and the meat will start to break down.

When you are ready to cook the chicken, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/204°C for dark meat or 360°F/182°C for white meat. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces are not overlapping or stacked. You may need to cook the chicken in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side.

Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then flip the pieces over and cook for a further 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't dry out.

When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and leave it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Marinade ingredients:

There are endless possibilities when it comes to marinade ingredients, but here are some ideas to get you started:

• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Vegetable oil
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Garlic powder
• Freshly minced garlic
• Garlic granules
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh rosemary
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Dried sage
• Dried thyme
• Freshly chopped herbs
• Balsamic vinegar
• Red wine vinegar
• White vinegar
• Coconut aminos
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Teriyaki sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Herbs de Provence
• Lemon pepper
• Store-bought salad dressing

Marinade time and air fryer temperature

Marinating chicken is a great way to infuse flavour into the meat. The length of time you choose to marinate your chicken will depend on how much time you have and how intense you want the flavour to be. Most recipes recommend marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes, but you can leave it for up to 24 hours if you want a stronger taste. If you're in a hurry, you can skip the marinating process altogether and simply add a seasoning blend to the chicken before cooking.

When you're ready to cook, drain the chicken and discard the marinade. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and let it come to room temperature. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking marinated chicken at a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. However, the exact temperature and cooking time will depend on the cut and thickness of the chicken, as well as your personal preference for doneness.

For thicker pieces of chicken, such as breasts or thighs, you'll need to cook them at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. A temperature of 350°F to 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes should be sufficient. Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. If you're using thinner cuts of chicken, such as tenders or cutlets, you can cook them at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time. A temperature of 390°F to 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes should be enough. Again, don't forget to flip the chicken halfway through.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the number of chicken pieces you're cooking. It's always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it's cooked to your desired doneness. The recommended safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. However, some recipes suggest removing the chicken from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests.

Cooking time and internal temperature

The cooking time for marinated chicken in an air fryer depends on the type of chicken and the cut. For instance, chicken legs and wings take less time to cook than chicken breasts. Chicken breasts also vary in cooking time depending on their size and thickness. Large breasts should be cooked for 10 minutes on each side (20 minutes in total), while small breasts should be cooked for 6-7 minutes on each side (12-14 minutes in total). The thickness of the chicken also affects the cooking time, with thicker pieces taking longer to cook than thinner ones.

The ideal internal temperature for chicken is 165 °F (74 °C). The cooking time will depend on the type of chicken and the desired internal temperature. For example, white meat should be cooked at 360 °F, while dark meat should be cooked at 400 °F. It's important to note that the outside of the chicken can burn before the inside reaches the desired temperature, especially for very large chicken thighs and breasts.

It is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator. The thicker the chicken pieces, the longer it will take for the marinade to flavour the meat. It is also important to note that marinating frozen chicken is not recommended as the marinade does not stick well, resulting in less flavour.

When cooking, it is important to ensure that the chicken is not overlapping or stacked in the air fryer, as this can affect the cooking time and prevent the outside from becoming crispy. Additionally, the chicken should be allowed to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to prevent the juices from escaping when cut.

Reheating and storing leftovers

When storing leftover marinated chicken, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It is best to eat leftover chicken within 2-4 days. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

To reheat marinated chicken in an air fryer, first, preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F (182-204°C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. If your chicken is frozen, defrost it in the fridge overnight. Then, place the chicken in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Reheat for 3-6 minutes, then flip or shake the basket to ensure even cooking. For frozen chicken, reheat for 10 minutes per side. The chicken is ready when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

You can also reheat marinated chicken in the oven or on the stove, but this may result in uneven heating. Microwaving leftover chicken is not recommended, as it can become soggy.

Chicken cuts and air fryer basket size

Yes, you can cook marinated chicken in an air fryer. In fact, air-frying marinated chicken is a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook chicken that is packed with flavor.

When it comes to choosing the right size of chicken cuts for your air fryer, the basket size of your air fryer is an important consideration. If you have a smaller air fryer basket, you may need to cut the chicken into smaller pieces or cook it in batches. For example, if you are cooking chicken bites or nuggets, you will need to cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and thoroughly in the air fryer. On the other hand, if you have a larger air fryer basket, you may be able to cook a whole chicken or larger chicken pieces without the need to cut them into smaller portions.

The size of your air fryer basket will also impact the cooking time and temperature. Smaller air fryers may require a slightly lower temperature and shorter cooking time to avoid overcooking the chicken. Additionally, the type of chicken cut you are using will also affect the cooking time. For example, chicken breasts tend to cook faster than chicken thighs or drumsticks. As a general rule, chicken breasts should be cooked in the air fryer for around 12 to 20 minutes, depending on their size and thickness. On the other hand, chicken thighs or drumsticks may require a slightly longer cooking time, around 18 to 25 minutes.

It is always important to ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly to avoid any food safety issues. The best way to check if your chicken is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

When choosing an air fryer basket size, consider the number of people you typically cook for and the types of food you plan to prepare. If you frequently cook for a large group or want to roast a whole chicken, a larger basket size, such as a 6-quart or 10-quart air fryer, would be ideal. However, if you mostly cook for one or two people, a smaller air fryer with a 3-quart or 5-quart basket may be sufficient.

In summary, when deciding on chicken cuts and air fryer basket size, consider the size of your air fryer basket, the number of people you are cooking for, and the desired cooking time and temperature. Adjust the size of your chicken cuts accordingly, and always ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly for food safety.

Frequently asked questions