Blackened Chicken In An Air Fryer: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Blackened chicken is a versatile and flavorful dish that can be served on its own or as part of a larger meal. The recipe involves coating chicken with a spice rub, known as blackening, Cajun, or Cajun seasoning, and cooking it in an air fryer until a dark crust forms on the outside. This technique is typically associated with Cajun cuisine and results in chicken that is tender, juicy, and full of bold flavors.

Choosing the right oil

When making blackened chicken in an air fryer, you'll want to choose an oil with a high smoke point that won't burn at high temperatures. The amount of oil you'll need is significantly less than what you would use for deep frying or sautéing. You can brush the air fryer basket and the chicken with a little oil using a pastry brush, or spray it lightly using an oil sprayer.

• Avocado oil: This oil has a smoke point of around 520-570°F (271-299°C). It has a neutral flavour and is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
• Peanut oil: With a nutty flavour and a high smoke point, peanut oil is commonly used for stir-frying and deep frying.
• Light olive oil: Refined olive oil, also known as light or extra light olive oil, has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil (around 465-470°F or 241-243°C). It has a neutral flavour and a lighter colour.
• Sunflower oil: Pressed from sunflower seeds, sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats. It has a light flavour and a smoke point of around 450°F (232°C).
• Grapeseed oil: A byproduct of winemaking, grapeseed oil has a high smoke point, a clean taste, and is a good source of vitamin E and unsaturated fats.
• Refined coconut oil: Choose refined coconut oil, which has a smoke point of 400°F (204°C), over unrefined coconut oil, which has a lower smoke point.

Other oils with high smoke points that can be used in an air fryer include canola oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, and soybean oil.

Spices and seasoning

The exact spices used can be adjusted to personal preference, but a typical blackened chicken seasoning mix might include:

• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried thyme
• Dried oregano
• Sugar

Some recipes also include cumin, Italian seasoning, traditional Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme. You can make a large batch of this seasoning and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for future use.

To prepare the chicken, coat it in a cooking fat such as oil, melted butter, or mayonnaise, before generously applying the spice mix. You can cook the chicken right away, or for more intense flavour, leave it to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

When it comes to cooking the chicken, preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 390°F (depending on the model). Be sure to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can affect the cooking time and evenness of the crispy exterior. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Chicken preparation

For the best results, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. If you're using chicken breasts, slice each breast lengthwise to make them thinner. This will help them cook more quickly and give you more surface area for seasoning, resulting in more flavour.

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove any surface moisture. This will help the coating stick to both sides of the chicken.

In a large bowl, mix together your chosen spices. You can use a pre-made Cajun or blackening seasoning, or make your own by combining spices such as paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also add salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and sugar to taste.

Next, coat the chicken with a cooking fat such as oil, melted butter, or mayonnaise. You can also add lemon juice to tenderize the meat and add a tart flavour. Mix the chicken with the fat and spice mixture, ensuring that all pieces are evenly coated. You can cook the chicken right away, or marinate it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to enhance the flavour.

Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 390°F (175°C and 192°C). Spray the grates of the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent sticking.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces are not overlapping or stacked. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes without turning. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and your air fryer model, but the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and flavourful tenders.

Air fryer settings

To make blackened chicken in an air fryer, preheat your appliance to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model and the desired level of doneness for your chicken.

Once preheated, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces are not overlapping or stacked. This allows for even cooking and a crispy exterior. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cook the chicken for about 7-10 minutes at 380°F, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken and the desired level of doneness. For well-done chicken, cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

After removing the chicken from the air fryer, let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and flavorful chicken tenders.

If you are cooking frozen chicken, increase the cooking time by about 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Cooking time

The cooking time for blackened chicken in an air fryer varies depending on the thickness of the chicken and the model of the air fryer. It is important to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to make sure it is cooked properly.

Most recipes recommend cooking the chicken for around 20 minutes, flipping it halfway through. However, some recipes suggest cooking the chicken for 7-10 minutes without flipping it. If the chicken is cut into strips, it may cook faster, so it is important to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

To ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to around 360-390°F (175-192°C). It is also important to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the chicken.

Once the chicken is cooked, it is important to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken is juicy and flavorful.

Frequently asked questions