Air Fryer Chicken: Safe To Cook Raw Chicken?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, with many recipes available online. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 7-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to cook a chicken breast in an air fryer. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Some people recommend brining the chicken before cooking it in the air fryer, but this is not necessary. Frozen chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer, but it is recommended to thaw them first and pat them dry before seasoning and cooking.

How to avoid dry chicken breast

Yes, you can cook raw chicken breast in an air fryer. Here are some tips to avoid dry chicken breast:

Brine the chicken

Brining the chicken breast helps keep it moist and juicy. It involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt on the meat). If you opt for wet brining, dissolve 1/4 cup of kosher salt or Diamond Crystal kosher salt in 6 cups of lukewarm water. Soak the chicken in this solution for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator. If you're using table salt, use less, as it has a higher sodium content.

Pound the chicken

Pounding the thicker end of the chicken breast helps even out the thickness, promoting more uniform cooking. Avoid pounding the chicken too thin, as this can result in dry chicken.

Oil and spices

Coat the chicken with oil and your desired spices. Avocado oil, olive oil, or any neutral-flavored high-heat oil are good choices. Ensure the chicken is well-coated by rubbing the oil and spices into the meat with your hands.

Cooking temperature and time

Preheat your air fryer. The ideal cooking temperature and time depend on the size of your chicken breasts. For thicker chicken breasts, air fry at 415°F for a minimum of 13 minutes. For smaller, thinner pieces, 375°F for 7 minutes on one side and 3 minutes on the other is recommended. You can also try cooking at 380°F for 5 minutes on each side. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.

Flip halfway through

Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process ensures even cooking and helps prevent overcooking, which is the primary cause of dry chicken breast.

Using frozen chicken breast

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer without thawing them first. This is a quick and easy way to cook juicy chicken breasts straight from the freezer.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F–400°F for at least 4 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, manually set it to the desired temperature for a few minutes.

Prepare the Chicken:

Take out the required number of frozen chicken breasts from the bag. If they are stuck together, submerge the package in warm water for about 5 minutes. You can cut the chicken into thin, flat pieces to ensure more even cooking and a larger surface area for the flavour to coat.

Seasoning:

Basic seasoning can be done with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add dried herbs and spices like paprika, onion powder, dried basil, and black pepper. Mix the olive oil with your chosen seasonings. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought seasoning blend. Coat the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture.

Cook the Chicken:

Place the frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each breast. Cook for half of the total cooking time, which will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. For a standard air fryer, you can fit 2 to 3 large pieces of frozen chicken, while an XL rectangular air fryer can fit 5 to 6 chicken breasts.

Flip and Cook:

Flip the chicken breasts over halfway through the cooking process. Brush or spoon the olive oil and seasoning mixture over both sides before placing them back in the air fryer. Continue cooking for another 10-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Check for Doneness:

Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken is fully cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest section of each breast, as this will be the last part to cook through. The chicken is considered cooked at 165°F, but you can take it out at 155°F–160°F, as the residual heat will bring it to temperature.

Rest and Serve:

Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, tented with foil, before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking. You can serve the chicken with roasted vegetables or a simple salad, and leftovers can be stored and reheated for the next day.

The best spices for chicken breast

Yes, you can cook raw chicken breast in an air fryer. In fact, cooking chicken breast in an air fryer is a great way to get that crispy texture without all the oil.

Now, onto the spices. The best spices for chicken breast will use a balance of herbs and spices to enhance the flavour of the meat. Here are some ideas for your next air-fried chicken breast:

Brining

Brining is a great way to ensure your chicken breast is juicy. It involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). You can also add aromatics to the brine.

Spices and Seasoning

There are many spices and seasonings that work well with chicken breast. Here are some suggestions:

• Salt and pepper
• Paprika (smoked, hot, or mild)
• Dried oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, or rosemary
• Garlic powder and onion powder
• Brown sugar
• Celery salt
• White pepper
• Ground mustard seeds
• Ground cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Chicken bouillon
• Chilli powder

Tips

• If you want your chicken breast to have a crispy texture, preheat your air fryer.
• Slice the chicken breast into thinner, smaller flat pieces for more even cooking and a larger surface area for the spices.
• Drizzle oil over the chicken and ensure it is well coated before adding the seasoning.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F.

Chicken breast cooking times

If you are cooking from frozen, it is recommended to thaw the chicken first and pat it dry before seasoning and cooking. This will create the best texture for your chicken. However, you can cook the chicken from frozen by adding 2-3 minutes per side. It is also important to note that the air fryer temperature should be lower than that of a regular oven. While a regular oven is best for baking chicken at 425 degrees F, the air fryer temperature for chicken breasts should be set at around 360-415 degrees F.

For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time is typically between 7 and 14 minutes, depending on the size. Smaller or medium-sized breasts will take around 10 minutes, while larger breasts may need an extra 5-7 minutes. It is important to flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, or 160 degrees F followed by a 5-minute resting period under foil, during which the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken.

To ensure juicy chicken breasts, it is recommended to brine the meat for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This can be done by either wet brining (using a saltwater solution) or dry brining (sprinkling the meat with salt). However, some recipes suggest that brining is not necessary and may result in dry chicken. Instead, they recommend coating the chicken with a paste made from oil, salt, and spices, or simply coating the chicken with oil and seasoning with spices.

Chicken breast serving suggestions

Yes, you can cook raw chicken breast in an air fryer. It is a great, healthy way to prepare chicken breast, which is a good source of lean protein.

The recommended single serving size of chicken is 3 to 5 ounces, about the size of a deck of playing cards. This will, of course, depend on the appetites of those you are serving, and the number of side dishes available. A whole 3-4 pound chicken will feed 4-6 people.

Chicken breast is incredibly versatile, and can be served hot or cold. Here are some ideas for serving suggestions:

• Salads: Add chicken breast to your favourite salad recipe. It goes particularly well with spinach and strawberry salad with balsamic poppy seed dressing.
• Rice bowls: Slice up the chicken and serve it in a rice bowl with dips.
• Pasta: Chicken breast is a great way to add extra protein to a veggie pasta dish.
• Sandwiches: Chicken can be added to sandwiches, wraps, and rolls.
• Dips: Chicken can be sliced and served with dips.

Cooking Tips:

Chicken breast can be dry if overcooked, so be careful not to leave it in the air fryer for too long. It is recommended to cook chicken breast for around 10 minutes in the air fryer, and to check the internal temperature with a thermometer. Chicken is cooked when it reaches 165 degrees F, but it can be removed from the heat at 155-160 degrees F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

For juicy chicken, it is recommended to brine the meat before cooking. Brining is the process of salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. This helps the meat to absorb extra liquid and ensures the meat is seasoned throughout.

If you are using frozen chicken, it is best to thaw it first and then coat it with oil and spices before placing it in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions