Air-Fried Lemon Chicken: A Tasty, Healthy Treat

Air fryers are a convenient way to make a quick, easy, and healthy meal. You can make lemon chicken in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The chicken is crispy and crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The recipe is versatile and can be made with chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, or even a whole butterflied chicken. The key to getting crispy chicken skin is to pat the chicken dry before seasoning and air frying. You can also use a variety of seasonings, such as lemon pepper, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Lemon chicken marinade

Lemon chicken is a versatile dish that can be made in an air fryer. Here is a detailed lemon chicken marinade recipe with a few extra tips to make your dish even more delicious.

For a quick and easy lemon chicken marinade, you will need the following ingredients:

• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Dried parsley
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic

You can also add other spices like lemon pepper, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic and onion for extra flavour. Fresh lemon juice will help to tenderize the chicken and add a nice refreshing lemony flavour.

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, add the oil, lemon juice, zest, dried parsley, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic. Whisk to combine well.
• Add the chicken to the bowl and turn to coat.
• Let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator for more intense flavour.

Tips:

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juicier meat and crispier skin.
• Pat the chicken dry before marinating to help the skin get crispy.
• Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, cook in batches if needed.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).

Your lemon chicken marinade is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Enjoy your juicy and flavourful dish!

Air fryer temperature

The optimal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer depends on the type of chicken and the desired level of crispiness. For chicken thighs, a temperature of 350-400°F (190-200°C) is recommended for a crispy crunch and tender, juicy meat. At 350°F, chicken thighs will take around 16-18 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, while at 400°F, they will take about 13-15 minutes.

For chicken breasts, a higher temperature of 370-380°F is suggested, with a cooking time of 10-15 minutes. It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts. An instant-read meat thermometer can be used to check if the chicken is cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F indicating doneness.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that air fryer temperatures can vary from brand to brand and model to model. As such, it is always a good idea to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer and adjust cooking times and temperatures accordingly.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You can use either chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe. You will also need:

• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Granulated garlic and/or onion
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Eggs
• Flour
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch
• Butter
• Sugar
• Chicken broth
• Green onions

Marinade

Add all the ingredients – except the sliced lemon – to a bowl or bag, toss to coat the chicken. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to overnight. You can also add red chilli and garlic to the chicken marinade.

Air Fry

Remove the chicken and let any excess oil drip off. Set the air fryer to 350-400 degrees (as high as your air fryer will go) and preheat for 10 minutes. Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd it. Spray the chicken with cooking spray. Air fry for 12-15 minutes at 380°F, shaking the basket halfway through.

Check Temperature

Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.

Cooking time

The cooking time for lemon chicken in an air fryer depends on the type of chicken being cooked, the size of the chicken pieces, and the model of the air fryer.

For chicken thighs, it is recommended to cook them for 16 to 18 minutes at 350°F or 13 to 15 minutes at 400°F. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. It is important to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process.

For chicken breasts, the cooking time is around 15 to 20 minutes at 385°F. The internal temperature should reach 165°F, and it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check this.

For chicken drumsticks, the cooking time is 18 to 22 minutes at 385°F.

Chicken wings will take 18 to 20 minutes at 385°F.

It is worth noting that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of the air fryer, as well as the size of the chicken pieces. It is always best to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is cooked through.

Serving suggestions

Lemon chicken cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some suggestions:

• Rice
• Steamed vegetables
• Salads
• Pasta
• Roasted baby potatoes
• Roasted veggies
• Potato or veggie fries
• Brown rice
• Cilantro lime rice
• Quinoa
• Garlic-buttered green beans
• Sauteed zucchini
• Roasted cauliflower
• Gnocchi in spinach mushroom cream sauce
• Brown butter bacon baked Brussels sprouts
• Salade de Chèvre Chaud

You can also serve it with some dried chilli in the sauce, or add some chilli flakes to the original recipe.

Frequently asked questions