Air Frying Chicken: Stacking Up Perfectly Layered Crispy Goodness

Air fryers are a great way to cook your food without using much oil. They are essentially countertop convection ovens that cook food with electric heat circulated by high-powered fans. When cooking with an air fryer, it is important to note that you should not overcrowd the basket and allow for proper air circulation. While you can stack the food in layers, make sure that there is enough space for the hot air to circulate around each piece. This is especially important when cooking chicken, as you want to ensure even cooking and avoid any raw or undercooked spots.

Layering chicken in an air fryer

Firstly, it's important to note that air fryers circulate hot air around food to cook it evenly, so it's generally best to arrange food in a single layer to ensure even cooking. However, some air fryer models come with racks that allow for two layers of food, which can be useful when cooking chicken.

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, it's important to follow a few key tips to ensure optimal results:

• Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.
• If using a breading or coating, ensure it is thoroughly coated and shaken off any excess before placing in the air fryer.
• Cook chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer, which can lead to uneven cooking.
• Flip or shake the chicken during cooking to ensure even browning and crisping.
• Adjust the cooking temperature and time based on the type of chicken and the desired level of doneness. For example, chicken thighs should be cooked to a higher temperature than chicken breasts to break down the meat fibers and make them more tender.

When layering chicken in an air fryer, follow these additional tips:

• Use a rack to separate the layers of chicken and ensure proper air circulation.
• Avoid stacking chicken pieces on top of each other. Instead, place them side by side or in a single layer if possible.
• If using a breading or coating, ensure it is evenly distributed across all layers of chicken.
• Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can affect cooking times and results.
• Flip or rotate the chicken during cooking to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.
• Adjust the cooking temperature and time as needed, taking into account that the lower layer of chicken may take longer to cook than the top layer.

By following these tips, you can successfully layer chicken in an air fryer and achieve delicious, evenly cooked results.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The cooking time and temperature for chicken in an air fryer vary depending on the size of the chicken and the model of the air fryer.

Air Fryer Temperature

The optimal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is between 360°F and 415°F. Some air fryers have a preheat setting of 400°F for 4 minutes.

Air Fryer Cooking Time

The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken. Here is a general guideline for cooking chicken in an air fryer:

• Small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces): 6 to 12 minutes
• Medium chicken breasts (8-10 ounces): 7 to 15 minutes
• Large chicken breasts (11 ounces or more): 10 to 20 minutes

For thin, sliced chicken pieces, 10 minutes at 415°F should be sufficient. For thicker, un-sliced chicken breasts, 13 minutes at the same temperature is recommended.

It is important to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to be considered safe to eat. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the doneness of the chicken.

Air fryer basket capacity

The amount of chicken you can cook in an air fryer depends on the capacity of the basket. The basket style is one of the two main types of air fryers, the other being the oven style. The basket capacity varies depending on the size of the air fryer, with the smallest being around 2.75 quarts and the largest about 6 quarts.

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the basket is not overcrowded. This is because air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it, and if the basket is overcrowded, the hot air may not be able to circulate properly. Therefore, it is generally recommended to cook chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

However, some air fryers come with a rack that allows for a second layer of food to be cooked above the basket. This can be useful if you want to cook a larger quantity of chicken or other foods. If you are cooking chicken in the air fryer, it is also important to consider the thickness of the chicken pieces, as thicker pieces will take longer to cook.

In terms of specific quantities, it is recommended to cook around four small chicken thighs or wings in the air fryer at one time. For chicken tenders, you can cook around four to six pieces, depending on their thickness. For chicken breasts, it is recommended to cook two at a time, again depending on their thickness.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to refer to the manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Additionally, if you are cooking a large batch of chicken, you may need to cook it in smaller batches to ensure even cooking.

Air fryer chicken recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, giving it a crispy, golden-brown crunch without using much oil. Here are some tips and recipes to help you get the most out of your air fryer when cooking chicken.

Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Adjust the cooking temperature: When using an air fryer, lower the temperature by 25°F compared to a traditional oven or deep fryer. For example, if a recipe calls for 350°F, set your air fryer to 325°F.
• Toss ingredients with oil: Generally, toss your chicken with one to two tablespoons of oil. For foods that are naturally fattier, like chicken thighs, additional oil is not needed.
• Fill the air fryer basket or rack: For battered and floured foods, place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. Some models offer racks that allow for two layers. For French fries or roasted vegetables, you can fill the basket, but this may require a longer cooking time and the food may not be as crisp.
• Check for doneness early: Foods tend to cook faster in an air fryer, so check on your chicken about two-thirds of the way through the suggested cooking time.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This recipe from Platings and Pairings is simple and versatile, with a cook time of just 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

• Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oil in a small bowl to create a paste.
• Coat the chicken breasts with the paste.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 370°F for 10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
• Tent the chicken with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breast

This highly-rated recipe from Allrecipes results in juicy and tender chicken with a flavorful spice rub.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

• Combine all the spices and herbs in a small bowl.
• Add the olive oil and mix until a paste forms.
• Rub the paste all over the chicken breasts.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 360°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Air Fryer BBQ Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This recipe from Allrecipes takes your chicken to the next level by stuffing it with cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon bits.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons bacon bits
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions:

• Cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast.
• Stuff each pocket with barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Dredge the chicken in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 360°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Serve with additional barbecue sauce for dipping.

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

This recipe from Allrecipes uses shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy prep, but you can also use home-cooked chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup refried beans
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
• Cooking spray
• Sides of your choice (e.g. sour cream, Mexican tomato sauce, guacamole)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, combine shredded chicken, salsa, refried beans, cheese, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
• Place a tortilla on a flat surface and spray one side with cooking spray.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture onto the tortilla and roll it up tightly. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
• Place the taquitos in the air fryer in a single layer and spray the tops with cooking spray.
• Cook at 380°F for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your choice of sides.

Air fryer chicken wings

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken wings
• 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1/2-1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2-1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola or vegetable oil)

Method

• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• In a bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, white pepper, baking powder and oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer in a single layer and air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the chicken wings and air fry again for 8-12 minutes at 400°F (depending on the size of the wings) or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your favourite sauce or eat as is.

Tips

• For extra crispy skin, add a little baking powder to the mixture.
• Pat the chicken wings dry before getting started.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Toss the wings every 3-5 minutes for even cooking and crispiness.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes of cooking for extra crispy skin.

Frequently asked questions