Broasted Chicken In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Broasted chicken is a hybrid between frying and pressure cooking, resulting in a dry skin layer, a drier meat layer underneath, and a softer layer beneath that. While it is possible to make broasted chicken in an air fryer, it may not yield the same results as a pressure cooker or a Dutch oven.

To make broasted chicken in an air fryer, you can try brining the chicken first. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. This adds flavour and moisture to the chicken. You can also try dry brining, which is less messy, by sprinkling salt on the chicken and letting it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to a day.

After brining, you can coat the chicken with a breading of your choice. Some recipes suggest a simple coating of seasoned flour, while others recommend a buttermilk and egg mixture for added flavour and moisture. You can also try a double breading technique, where the chicken is coated in flour, then buttermilk, and then flour again.

When cooking in the air fryer, make sure not to overcrowd the basket and leave enough space for air to circulate. Cooking times and temperatures may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces, but generally, bone-in chicken thighs and legs will take around 15-20 minutes at 360°F.

It is important to note that the results may vary, and you may need to experiment with different techniques and recipes to achieve the perfect broasted chicken in an air fryer.

How long to cook chicken in an air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts and the desired texture. For example, cooking thinly sliced chicken breast pieces will take less time than cooking a whole chicken.

Air Frying Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Small breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes

Medium breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes

Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes

Air Frying Chicken Breasts with Bones and Skin Intact

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks: 27 minutes

Air Frying Chicken Strips

Chicken strips cook faster than bone-in pieces, so be careful not to overcook them.

Air Frying a Whole Chicken

Convection bake at ~425F until the deepest part of the breast meat is getting to ~155F internal temperature.

Air fryer chicken breasts

Ingredients and Seasonings

The basic ingredients for air fryer chicken breasts are boneless and skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, and a blend of spices. For a simple seasoning blend, you can use paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also experiment with other spices like smoked paprika, oregano, or Cajun seasoning. Additionally, a dry brine of salt can enhance the flavour and texture of the chicken.

Preparation and Cooking

To prepare the chicken, lightly pound the breasts to an even thickness using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm. For a dry brine, sprinkle salt over the chicken and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to a day. Before air frying, let the chicken come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Combine the olive oil and spice mixture, then coat the chicken breasts evenly. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket with the smooth side down and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips and Variations

• For extra crispy chicken, you can bread the chicken by soaking it in buttermilk and coating it with seasoned flour before air frying.
• To prevent overcooking, remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 155°F to 160°F, as the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken.
• You can add vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers to the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process.
• For a complete meal, serve the air fryer chicken breasts with sides like roasted potatoes, salads, pasta, or stir-fry.

Air fryer chicken wings

Chicken wings are a great treat, and they can be made in an air fryer with minimal fuss and fantastic results. Here is a recipe for juicy, tender, and crispy chicken wings, with some extra tips and tricks to ensure you get the best results.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken wings
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable oil)
• Your choice of sauce (BBQ, buffalo, ranch, etc.)

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 a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between them for the air to circulate.
• Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken wings and air fry again for 8-12 minutes at 400°F, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your chosen sauce, or eat as is.

Tips:

• Ensure the wings are as dry as possible before seasoning. This will help the skin puff up and blister during frying.
• Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings. If the skin is not crispy enough, add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
• To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to make sure the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F.
• If you want to freeze cooked wings, let them cool to room temperature, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Air fryer chicken thighs

Ingredients

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4-6 pieces)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Oregano or dried herbs (optional)
• Lemon (optional)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

If desired, squeeze lemon juice over the chicken thighs. Then, season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried herbs (if using). You can also place the chicken and seasonings in a large zip-top bag and shake to coat. Ensure the chicken is dry before seasoning, as this will help achieve a crispy exterior.

Step 2: Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 10-12 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For super crispy chicken, cook for an additional 4 minutes. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Tips

• Always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your chicken.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• For an extra crispy exterior, spray the chicken with cooking spray or avocado oil before air frying.
• For a complete meal, serve with sides such as cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, broccoli salad, or a big green salad.

Air fryer chicken drumsticks

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks (with skin on for crispiness)
• Olive oil or any other cooking oil
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder or corn starch
• Spices (paprika, onion powder or garlic powder, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, etc.)
• Optional spices (chili powder, cayenne pepper)
• Optional garnish (parsley flakes)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel and brush them with a light coating of olive oil. Place the drumsticks in a large Ziploc bag.

Step 2: Make the Spice Mixture

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and spices. Shake the bag until the drumsticks are evenly coated with the spice mixture.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush a light coating of olive oil over it to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Place the coated drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or stack. Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through the cooking time.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

The chicken is done when it is golden brown and crispy, and when an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the drumstick (without touching the bone) reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips

• Leaving the skin on the chicken drumsticks helps to achieve a crispier texture.
• Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness and prevent overcooking.
• Prepare the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in buttermilk or a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs before coating with the spice mixture.
• Sauce your drumsticks after cooking or layer the sauce during cooking to create a crunchy "crust".
• For a keto or low-carb option, simply season the chicken drumsticks and air fry without any breading.

Frequently asked questions