Air Fryer Raw Chicken: Safe?

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, cooking chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get juicy, tender chicken with a nice firm texture. It's also quicker than cooking chicken in an oven, more energy-efficient, and easy to clean.

To cook raw chicken in an air fryer, you'll want to preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F. Then, brush or mist the chicken with oil and season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or your choice of seasonings. You can also marinate the chicken before cooking. Once the chicken is prepared, place it in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For best results, flip the chicken halfway through cooking.

Cooking times and temperatures

Air Fryer Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is between 360 °F and 400 °F. Some recipes suggest cooking at 375 °F, while others recommend 400 °F for a crispier skin.

Cooking Time

The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken cut. For example, small chicken breasts (5-7 oz) will take 6-10 minutes, while larger breasts (11 oz or more) will need 12-16 minutes.

Chicken thighs, drumsticks, and wings will also have different cooking times. For instance, boneless chicken thighs (4-5 oz) will take around 12 minutes, while bone-in thighs (5-6 oz) will need 15-18 minutes.

It is important to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F to be safe for consumption. Some recipes suggest removing the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155-160 °F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests.

Tips for Optimal Cooking

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between the chicken pieces to allow for even cooking.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
• Avoid lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can affect the cooking and taste of the chicken.
• Pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking to ensure even cooking and avoid undercooked or overcooked sections.
• Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.
• Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain moisture.

Marinating and brining

To brine chicken, make a brine using a saline solution or a mix of water, salt, sugar, and seasonings. Then, place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag, pour the brine over the chicken, seal the bag, and leave it to sit in the refrigerator. After brining, remember to rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.

For marinating, you can use a simple mix of oil, an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice or vinegar, and your preferred seasonings. You can also use store-bought marinades like Italian dressing. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag or a large bowl, pour the marinade over the chicken, and gently massage it until the chicken is well-coated. Leave it to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

After brining or marinating, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer at a temperature between 360-400°F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

Resting the chicken

When resting chicken, it's important to let it sit for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures each bite is tender and moist. In general, it is recommended to let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This timing is especially important for chicken cooked in an air fryer, as it can help prevent overcooking and ensure a juicy, tender result.

During the resting period, the chicken will remain hot, so it's a good idea to loosely cover it with foil to retain heat. This will also help keep the chicken safe to eat.

Additionally, resting gives the chicken time to reach its final internal temperature. It is recommended that chicken reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption. By letting the chicken rest, the temperature can increase by a few degrees, ensuring it is cooked thoroughly.

For optimal results, it is also recommended to let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking. This promotes more even cooking and helps the chicken retain its juiciness.

In conclusion, resting the chicken is a crucial step in the cooking process, allowing the meat to rest and ensuring a juicy, tender, and flavourful dish. By following these simple tips, you can elevate your chicken dish and take it from good to great!

Using frozen chicken

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in an air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Take the desired amount of frozen chicken breasts out of the freezer. If they are stuck together, submerge the package in warm water for about 5 minutes, then carefully separate them with a fork or knife. Place the frozen chicken breasts on a plate and drizzle both sides with olive oil.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F. Most recipes recommend 400°F, but if your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, manually set it to 400°F and let it preheat for a few minutes.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, or try something different like Italian dressing or Traeger chicken rub.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each breast. Set the timer for 30 minutes and cook at 400°F, flipping the chicken halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts, so it's a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to allow for even air circulation.
• Check the temperature of each breast and remove it from the air fryer as soon as it reaches 165°F.
• If your chicken breasts have a thinner end, consider cutting it off and letting it rest while the thicker end finishes cooking to prevent overcooking.
• If you want to add a sauce to your chicken, brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking or immediately after removing the chicken from the air fryer to avoid burning.

Storing and Reheating

You can store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for later. To reheat, simply place the chicken back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes or microwave for about 20 seconds.

Using an instant-read thermometer

An instant-read thermometer is a handy tool to have in your kitchen. It helps you to know with certainty that your food is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Instant-read thermometers are exactly that—thermometers that give you a near-instant temperature reading. They have a digital screen and a probe that gets inserted into the food. The probe on a thermometer should be thin and long. The length saves your hand from getting burnt by the steam rising out of hot food, and it needs to be thin to avoid juice-leaking probes. A good thermometer should also cover a maximum range of temperature—from very cold to beyond the boiling point of oil—so that it can be used for all kinds of food.

When cooking chicken, it is important to use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 °F. You can remove the chicken around 155 to 160 °F. During the resting period, the carryover cooking will bring the chicken to temperature and make it safe to eat.

• ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2: This thermometer reads temperatures quickly and accurately, is simple to use, and comes at an excellent price. It has a large, backlit display that can be read from almost any angle. The thin 4.5-inch probe gets into most roasts and liquids without exposing your hand to heat. It covers temperatures from -58 °F to 572 °F.
• ThermoWorks Dot Simple Alarm Thermometer: This is a leave-in probe thermometer that stays in your meat while it cooks, allowing you to monitor doneness easily. It also has a strong magnet that keeps it securely attached to an oven door. It has a wide temperature range of -58 °F to 572 °F, and a cable that can withstand 700 °F for short periods.
• Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo: This thermometer offers a bit more speed, plus temperature alerts, temperature holding, and a fold-up probe that’s handy for taking readings at odd angles. It has a sharp and clear display that can be read at most angles, and the numbers automatically flip to adjust for upside-down insertion or left or right-hand use. It is rated IP65 resistant, which means it is completely impervious to dust and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction.
• ThermoWorks Thermapen One: This thermometer is the fastest and most accurate instant-read thermometer. It offers a rotating screen with a bright backlight and a huge temperature range of -58 °F to 572 °F. The thermometer is totally protected against dust and can withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions