Air Fryer Chicken Strips: Safe To Cook Raw?

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook chicken strips, also known as chicken tenderloins or chicken goujons. They are the leanest part of the chicken and can be made juicy, tender, and crispy. The cooking time for chicken strips in an air fryer varies depending on the model and power, but on average, they cook in 8-12 minutes at 380-400°F (200°C). Chicken strips can be cooked from raw in the air fryer and can also be reheated in the air fryer if cooked in advance.

Chicken preparation

Once you have cut your chicken, you can pat it dry with paper towels and place the tenders in a large mixing bowl. Then, you can add your chosen spices and oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or corn oil. For spices, consider smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add brown sugar and cornstarch for extra flavour. Mix the spices in a separate bowl, and then drizzle the oil over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated. Next, sprinkle the seasoning blend onto both sides of the chicken and rub it in with your hands.

If you want to add some extra crunch, you can try a breading technique. First, dredge each chicken tender in seasoned flour, then dip it in a beaten egg, and finally, dip it back into the flour.

Now, your chicken is ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket without overcrowding, ensuring good airflow. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. Lightly mist the tops of the tenders with cooking spray.

Air fry the chicken for 7-14 minutes, depending on the size of your tenders and your air fryer. For thinner tenders, 7-10 minutes should be sufficient. For thicker tenders, you may need up to 14 minutes. Flip the tenders halfway through the cooking time. Your chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a serving dish and let it rest for 5 minutes. Squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley over the tenders for a refreshing finish.

You can store any leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3-4 months.

Air fryer settings

Preparing chicken strips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a crispy and tasty meal. To get the best results, it's important to follow a few key steps and adjust your air fryer settings accordingly.

Firstly, choose the right type of chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal for achieving the perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness. Cut the chicken into thin, even strips to ensure uniform cooking.

Before cooking, it's recommended to marinate the chicken strips to enhance their flavour and moisture. A simple marinade of oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs can be used, along with seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Allow the chicken to soak in this mixture for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for maximum flavour.

Now, let's discuss the air fryer settings. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking. If you're using a Ninja Foodi, preheat it to 450°F (230°C) on the Broil/Grill setting.

Once preheated, place the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap to avoid sogginess. Optionally, you can lightly spray or brush the chicken with cooking oil to enhance crispness and flavour.

Set your air fryer temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook the chicken strips for approximately 10-12 minutes. For raw chicken, some sources suggest a temperature of 390°F for 12 minutes, rotating the chicken once halfway through. For frozen raw chicken, thaw it before cooking and increase the cooking time as needed.

Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken strips to ensure even browning on both sides. After flipping, you may want to lightly spray the other side with cooking oil as well.

The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken strips and the model of your air fryer, so it's important to monitor the process. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest strip. The chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Cooking time

The cooking time for chicken strips in an air fryer varies depending on several factors, including the model and power of the air fryer, the thickness of the chicken, and the crispiness desired. As a baseline, it is recommended to air fry chicken strips at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. After the initial 8 minutes, you can adjust the cooking time for the second air fry to get the desired crispiness. For thicker chicken strips, it is suggested to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F when the chicken is fully cooked.

Some recipes suggest a cooking time of 9-11 minutes at 380°F, while others recommend 10-12 minutes at 400°F, flipping the chicken strips once halfway through. If you are cooking frozen chicken strips, the cooking time may be longer, around 12 minutes at 360°F or 20-25 minutes at 350°F, depending on whether they are precooked or raw. For reheating leftover chicken strips, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is recommended to keep an eye on the chicken strips during the cooking process to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. Additionally, to prevent overcrowding, you may need to cook the chicken strips in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.

Internal temperature

The internal temperature of the chicken strips is the most important factor in determining whether the chicken is cooked or not. It is imperative that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure that the chicken is cooked properly and safe to eat. This temperature reading indicates that the meat is cooked thoroughly and is no longer raw.

To measure the internal temperature accurately, a meat thermometer can be used. The thermometer is inserted into the centre of the chicken strip to get a precise reading. This method is more reliable than relying solely on visual cues or cooking time estimates.

When cooking chicken strips in an air fryer, the temperature and timing can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of doneness. The cooking time may vary depending on the model and power of the air fryer, the thickness of the chicken strips, and personal preferences for doneness. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor the internal temperature closely to ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly.

It is worth noting that the cooking time and temperature settings provided in recipes are guidelines, and the actual cooking time may vary. The size, shape, and thickness of chicken strips can affect how long they take to cook. Additionally, different air fryers may have slight variations in temperature settings and cooking performance.

By focusing on reaching the optimal internal temperature of 165°F, you can ensure that your chicken strips are cooked thoroughly and safely, regardless of the specific air fryer model or the size and shape of the chicken strips. This temperature benchmark is crucial to producing juicy, tender, and, most importantly, food-safe chicken strips.

Storing and reheating

Storing your chicken strips

Whether you've cooked your chicken strips in an air fryer or picked up some fast-food fried chicken, storing your leftovers in an airtight container or resealable bag is the best way to keep them fresh. Pop them in the fridge within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth, and they'll last for three to four days.

If you don't fancy leftovers, you can also freeze your chicken strips, either in an airtight container or freezer bag, for up to three to four months.

Reheating your chicken strips

The air fryer is the perfect appliance to reheat your chicken strips, keeping them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F–360°F (182°C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and place the chicken strips inside in a single layer, leaving a little space between each strip. Reheat for 3–7 minutes, shaking or flipping the basket halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

You can also reheat chicken strips in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave, but these methods may result in uneven heating or sogginess.

A few final tips:

• Don't reheat chicken strips more than once to avoid the risk of contamination.
• Lightly coat your chicken strips in oil before reheating for enhanced crispiness and moisture retention.
• Be cautious when reheating sauced chicken strips, as the sauce may burn.

Frequently asked questions