Air Fryer Marinade: Can You Use It?

Marinated chicken is a delicious and healthy meal that can be cooked in an air fryer. The air fryer seals in the juices, ensuring the chicken is moist, tender, and packed with flavour.

There are many different marinades that can be used, but they often include olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and spices. The chicken is left to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, before being cooked in the air fryer for around 20 minutes.

This is a quick, easy, and versatile recipe that can be customised to your taste preferences.

Marinade ingredients

Using an air fryer is a great way to cook chicken without the fuss of frying. It's also a healthy way to infuse chicken with a lot of flavour. Here are some ideas for marinade ingredients to use in your air fryer:

Oil

Oil is one of the main ingredients in a marinade. You can use any oil that fits your dietary requirements or what you have available. Suggested oils include olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.

Vinegar

Vinegar is another key ingredient for your marinade. You can use balsamic, red wine, or white vinegar. Alternatively, you could use lemon juice or lime juice for a citrusy flavour.

Coconut Aminos or Low-Sodium Soy Sauce

Coconut aminos is a great gluten-free substitute for soy sauce and is also paleo and whole30 compliant.

Seasonings

You can use dried basil, oregano, or another herb of your choice. You could also add garlic powder, pepper, and a pinch of salt to taste.

Other Ideas

You can also add fresh squeezed orange juice, lemon zest, lime zest, and minced garlic cloves to your marinade. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a sugar-free teriyaki sauce, a yogurt or buttermilk base with Indian spices, or even pickle juice!

Marinade timings

For chicken thighs, legs, drumsticks, breasts, or other parts, it is recommended that you marinate them for between 30 minutes and 12 hours. The thicker the pieces, the longer it will take for the flavour to penetrate the meat.

For chicken breasts, it is recommended that you marinate them for 4-8 hours in the refrigerator. This will ensure that the chicken absorbs the flavours of the marinade and results in juicy and tender meat.

It is important to note that leaving marinated chicken at room temperature can cause bacteria to grow, so it is best to place the chicken in the fridge while it is marinating.

Air fryer temperature

The temperature you should cook your marinated chicken at in an air fryer depends on the type of chicken and recipe. For example, if you are cooking marinated chicken breasts, you should cook them at 360F/180C for 10 minutes on each side or until cooked through. However, if you are cooking marinated chicken wings, you should cook them at 400F/204C for 16-18 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you are cooking white meat, you should preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas if you are cooking dark meat, you should preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of your chicken reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming it.

Chicken preparation

To prepare your chicken for the air fryer, start by trimming off any excess fat and undesirable parts from the chicken breasts. If you want to ensure even cooking, you can also cut short shallow slits about 0.5 inches apart going down the length of the chicken breast. This technique is known as "slashed chicken."

Next, prepare your marinade by mixing together your choice of oil, lemon juice, herbs, spices, and seasonings in a small bowl. You can also add ingredients like balsamic or red wine vinegar, coconut aminos, or low-sodium soy sauce for extra flavour. Once you have prepared your marinade, place your chicken breasts in a Ziploc bag or plastic container and pour the marinade over them, ensuring that they are fully coated. Seal the container or bag and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes to 24 hours.

When you are ready to cook your chicken, preheat your air fryer to the appropriate temperature for your chicken type. Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook than boneless, and white meat will cook faster than dark meat. As a guide, preheat your air fryer to 360°F/180°C for white meat and 400°F for dark meat.

Once your air fryer is preheated, remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap or stack the chicken pieces, as this will affect the cooking process. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then flip it over and cook for an additional 6-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. To check if your chicken is cooked, insert an instant thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. If the temperature reads at least 165°F, and the juices run clear, your chicken is ready to be served!

Chicken cooking time

• Whole chicken (3-4 lb): Cook at 360°F for 30 minutes breast-side down, then flip and cook for another 12-22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Boneless chicken breast (8 oz): Cook at 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
• Bone-in chicken breast (10 oz): Cook at 360°F for 10 minutes.
• Boneless chicken thigh (4-5 oz): Cook at 380°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Bone-in chicken thigh (5-6 oz): Cook at 380°F for 15-18 minutes.
• Chicken drumstick (bone-in, 5 oz): Cook at 380°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Chicken leg quarter (1 lb each): Cook at 380°F for 18-20 minutes.
• Chicken wings (5 full wings cut into 2 pieces each): Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 165°F.

Frequently asked questions