Stacking Chicken Breasts In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, but can you stack them to cook more at once? Well, it's not recommended. The golden rule of air frying is to avoid overcrowding the frying basket, and this is because air fryers function like powerful convection ovens. They work by circulating hot air over the surface area of the food, so if you stack chicken breasts, the pieces in the centre of the stack won't be exposed to the hot air and will end up unevenly cooked and soggy.

Air fryer chicken breast recipes

The air fryer is a fantastic way to cook chicken breast, resulting in juicy, tender, and flavourful meat. It's a quick and easy method that produces delicious results every time. Here are some recipes to get you started.

Recipe 1: Spicy and Sweet Chicken Breasts

This recipe is for those who love a combination of spicy and sweet flavours. The chicken breasts are thinly sliced and coated with a generous amount of spices, brown sugar, and cornstarch before being air-fried to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt (use fine table salt for better coating)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons avocado oil
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

• Cut the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. Pat them dry if they are moist.
• In a bowl, toss the spices, brown sugar, and cornstarch together. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken pieces and add the oil. Toss well to ensure every piece is coated.
• Preheat the air fryer. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air to circulate.
• Air fry at 415 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. For larger pieces, increase the time to 13 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice and serve!

Recipe 2: Simple Herb and Spice Chicken Breasts

This recipe uses a simple blend of herbs and spices to create juicy and tender chicken breasts. It's a versatile dish that can be used in salads, wraps, sandwiches, or enjoyed on its own.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound them to an even thickness.
• For dry brining (optional but recommended): Sprinkle kosher salt over the chicken and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (add salt now if you didn't dry brine).
• Place the chicken in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer, cover, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe 3: Herb and Spice Chicken Breasts with Oregano

This recipe is similar to the previous one but includes oregano in the spice mix, adding a unique flavour to the chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions:

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

Tips for Cooking Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure proper air circulation.
• Do not overcook the chicken. Remove it from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as carryover cooking will increase the temperature a few more degrees.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat juicy.
• You can add vegetables like zucchini, Brussels sprouts, red peppers, broccoli, or asparagus to the air fryer basket halfway through cooking.

How to stack chicken wings and drumettes

To stack chicken wings and drumettes in an air fryer, you'll first want to cut your chicken wings into drumettes and flats. You can do this by cutting at the joints that separate the drumette, flat, and tip of the wing. Discard the tips or save them for stock.

Pat the drumettes and flats dry with paper towels. This step is important, as any excess moisture will cause the wings to steam instead of crisp. Place the wings in a large bowl and toss with oil and your desired seasonings.

When you're ready to cook the wings, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren't stacked or overlapping. If you have a large air fryer, you may be able to double the recipe and stack the wings, but it's best to cook in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Cook the wings according to your recipe's instructions, shaking the basket or turning the wings a few times during cooking for even crisping. When they're done, toss the wings with the drippings from the bottom of the air fryer basket for extra flavour and serve with your favourite sauce!

Air fryer cooking times

The cooking time for chicken breasts in an air fryer depends on their size and shape, and whether they are sliced thinly. Small breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 6 to 8 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 ounces) will take 7 to 10 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 10 to 14 minutes.

If you are cooking chicken breasts that are 6 to 7 ounces, the total cooking time will be about 10 to 11 minutes. For 8 to 9-ounce chicken breasts, the cooking time is about 11 to 12 minutes. 10-ounce or larger chicken breasts will take about 13 to 14 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer. It is always best to check the internal temperature of your chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked properly. The ideal internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, it is important to avoid overcrowding the basket. Chicken should be placed in a single layer with enough space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation. This will ensure even cooking and help achieve the desired crispy texture.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. Preheating the air fryer can help improve cooking results and ensure even cooking.

Air fryer chicken breast storage

In the Fridge

Leftover chicken breasts can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you're storing a batch of cooked chicken, slice it up for sandwiches, salads, or other recipes. You can enjoy the chicken cold or reheated. If you're reheating, add a tiny bit of water to the chicken before doing so to rehydrate it.

In the Freezer

Cooked chicken breasts can be frozen. Place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheating

You can reheat chicken in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.

Air fryer chicken breast cooking tips

Although there are a few exceptions, you generally cannot stack chicken in an air fryer. This is because air fryers function like powerful convection ovens, cooking food by quickly circulating hot air over its surface area. Stacking chicken breasts would mean the pieces in the centre of the stack wouldn't be exposed to the hot air, resulting in unevenly cooked, soggy chicken.

How to cook chicken breast in an air fryer

• Cut the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. This will help them cook more evenly and give you more surface area for flavour.
• If you're using frozen chicken, thaw it first and pat it dry before cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer.
• Coat the chicken with oil and your chosen spices. You can leave the chicken to marinate for up to 24 hours, but this isn't essential.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space for the air to circulate.
• For extra crispy chicken, preheat your air fryer and cook the chicken for 10–14 minutes at 415°F/212°C. For juicier chicken, cook for 7 minutes at 375°F/190°C, then flip and cook for a further 3 minutes.
• Check the chicken is cooked through. It should have an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
• Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving.

Storing and reheating

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions