Air Fryer Breaded Chicken: Safe To Cook Raw?

Air fryers are a great way to cook raw breaded chicken. The air fryer's small size and efficiency mean that you can cook juicy, delicious, and crispy chicken in a matter of minutes. The hot air in the fryer circulates around the chicken, ensuring an even crisp. The key to getting crispy chicken in an air fryer is to use seasoned breadcrumbs and thin chicken breast slices. The breading will stick to the chicken and become crispy with the help of a tiny bit of oil. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs or pork rinds for a gluten-free version.

Breaded chicken cooking time and temperature

Cooking raw breaded chicken in an air fryer is a great way to make juicy and delicious chicken with a crunchy texture. The cooking time and temperature for breaded chicken in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the meat and the size of the chicken breasts.

Firstly, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer and always cook chicken at 375-380°F. For pre-cooked breaded chicken cutlets, the temperature can be lowered to 350°F. For thicker pieces of chicken, it is better to start with a lower temperature of 300°F and then increase it to 400°F.

The cooking time for breaded chicken in an air fryer ranges from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat and the size of the chicken breasts. For pre-cooked breaded chicken cutlets, the cooking time is shorter, ranging from 4 to 5 minutes. For thicker pieces of chicken, the cooking time will be longer, and it is recommended to start with 10 minutes and adjust as needed.

It is important to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. Additionally, it is recommended to use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should reach 165°F to be fully cooked.

To get a crispy texture and enhance the flavour, a small amount of oil or cooking spray can be added to the chicken before placing it in the air fryer. The breadcrumbs can also be seasoned with spices, herbs, or grated cheese for added flavour.

How to get the breading to stick

Yes, you can cook raw breaded chicken in an air fryer. To get the breading to stick to the chicken, you can try the following methods:

Use oil

Use a little bit of oil to help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken and create a crispy texture. You can drizzle oil directly over the chicken or spray the chicken pieces lightly with oil.

Use egg

Dip the chicken in beaten eggs before coating it with breadcrumbs. The eggs will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken. You can also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a few drops of hot sauce to the egg mixture for extra flavor.

Use flour

Before coating the chicken with eggs and breadcrumbs, you can dredge the chicken in all-purpose flour. This will create a thin layer of flour that will help the breadcrumbs stick. Just be sure to remove any excess flour before adding the egg wash.

Use buttermilk

Soaking the chicken in buttermilk before breading it will give it a classic fried chicken tenderness. You can also mix the buttermilk with a touch of oil to help the breading stick.

Use a variety of breadcrumbs

You can use traditional breadcrumbs, or get creative with crushed crackers, pretzels, chips, or even cornflakes. These alternatives will give your chicken a unique flavor and texture.

Pat down the chicken

After coating the chicken with the breading, gently pat all sides to help the crunchy coating adhere.

Preheat the air fryer

Make sure your air fryer is preheated to the correct temperature before placing the chicken inside. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the breading from burning.

Chicken preparation and seasoning

Chicken preparation is a crucial step in ensuring your raw breaded chicken cooks evenly and efficiently in an air fryer. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prepare and season your chicken for optimal results:

Chicken Preparation:

Firstly, decide whether you want to bread your chicken or cook it without breading. If you opt for breading, prepare a mixture of seasoned flour or breadcrumbs. For the flour coating, you can use a combination of flour, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. If you prefer a thicker coating, you can dip the chicken in flour, then in an egg wash, and finally in the flour mixture again. However, be cautious, as a thicker coating may require a longer cooking time and can result in uneven cooking.

For a lighter breading, simply soak the chicken in buttermilk to add tenderness, and then dip it once in well-seasoned flour. If you choose to use breadcrumbs, mix them with seasonings like oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add grated cheese, such as Parmesan or pecorino romano, to the breading mixture for extra flavour.

Once your breading mixture is ready, coat the chicken pieces evenly. If using flour, shake off any excess. If using breadcrumbs, ensure there are no excess crumbs. For the chicken to cook evenly and efficiently, it is recommended to cut it into thinner strips or slices. This will reduce the cooking time and ensure the chicken cooks thoroughly.

Seasoning:

The seasoning you use will depend on your taste preferences and the flavour profile you want to achieve. Here are some common seasoning options:

• For a classic blend, use paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
• If you want to add a spicy kick, include chili powder, cayenne pepper, or dried chili flakes.
• You can also use pre-made blends like fajita or taco seasoning, or experiment with ranch or BBQ seasoning.
• For a simple yet flavourful option, stick to salt and pepper.

To ensure the seasonings adhere well to the chicken, drizzle the chicken pieces with oil before coating them in the breading mixture. This step will also help create a crispy texture. If you are not using breading, rubbing or coating the chicken with oil will help the seasonings stick and keep the meat moist.

Cooking:

After preparing and seasoning your chicken, it's time to cook it in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F and 390°F. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other to allow for even cooking. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil to help achieve a crispy texture.

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken pieces and your desired doneness, but on average, it should take around 10-15 minutes. Remember to flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking. When the chicken is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and breading options to find your perfect combination!

Oil types and alternatives

Oil is an essential ingredient in cooking breaded chicken in an air fryer. It helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken and creates a crispy texture. While the amount of oil used is minimal compared to deep frying, you can use alternatives to oil to make the dish even healthier.

Oil Types

You can use a variety of oils to cook breaded chicken in an air fryer, including olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil. Olive oil is a popular choice as it helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken and keeps it moist.

Oil Alternatives

If you want to reduce the amount of oil used, you can try using an oil spray instead of drizzling oil over the chicken. You can also use a non-stick spray on the air fryer basket to reduce the amount of oil needed. Another alternative is to use a meat tenderizer to beat the chicken breast fillets until they are thin and tender, which will reduce the cooking time and the amount of oil needed.

Additionally, some recipes suggest using milk or buttermilk to soak the chicken before breading, which can help reduce the amount of oil needed. You can also try using an egg wash, where you dip the chicken in beaten eggs before coating it with breadcrumbs, which will help the breadcrumbs stick without using too much oil.

Chicken cooking methods and alternatives

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. One popular method is to bread and cook the chicken in an air fryer. This can be done by coating chicken breasts in seasoned breadcrumbs, which can be fine or gluten-free, and then placing them in the air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes. This method can also be done by coating the chicken in a flour and egg mixture before frying, and some recipes suggest dredging the chicken in buttermilk before coating it in flour. It is important to ensure that the chicken is not overcrowded in the air fryer, as this will create a steaming effect rather than the desired crispy texture.

To get the crispy texture, the chicken should be cooked in a single layer, and it is recommended to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. The air fryer temperature can vary, but it is generally recommended to cook breaded chicken at around 350°F. Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to a higher temperature and then lowering it to 350°F to avoid burning the chicken. It is also important to use a thermometer to check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

If you don't have access to an air fryer, you can pan-fry breaded chicken. This involves adding oil to a cast-iron skillet and heating it to 350°F before adding the chicken and frying for 8 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

There are also alternatives to breaded chicken that can be cooked in an air fryer. One option is to coat the chicken in a yogurt sauce, ranch dip, or BBQ sauce before cooking. Another option is to cook the chicken without any breading, using a small amount of oil and seasonings of your choice. This method can be used to cook chicken breasts or chicken tenders, and the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meat.

Frequently asked questions