Make Chicken Gravy From Your Air Fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook a whole chicken with minimal fuss and maximum flavour. But what about the gravy? Making chicken gravy in an air fryer is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. In this article, we will walk you through the process of making delicious chicken gravy using your air fryer.

Chicken preparation

Choosing the right chicken

• Choose a chicken that fits in your air fryer. If the chicken is too big, you may need to trim it down or break its backbone to fit it into the basket.
• For a 5.7-litre air fryer, a 1.9 kg chicken is suitable.
• For a Ninja Max air fryer, a 1.5 kg chicken is recommended.

Preparing the chicken

• Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before roasting to bring it to room temperature.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
• Remove the neck and giblets from the chicken's cavity.
• Loosen the skin from the breast meat by gently running your fingers or a small spatula underneath the skin.
• Spread a tablespoon of softened butter or dairy-free spread underneath the skin on each breast, smoothing it out evenly.
• Brush the chicken's skin with olive oil or your oil of choice.
• If desired, season the chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme, or a poultry rub/chicken seasoning of your choice.

Cooking the chicken

• Preheat your air fryer, if needed.
• Place the chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. Cooking the chicken breast-side down first helps keep the breast meat moist by allowing the juices to run towards the breast during the initial cooking phase.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 171-180˚C/350˚F and cook the chicken for 25-30 minutes.
• Open the air fryer and carefully flip the chicken breast-side up. Place it back in the air fryer and cook for another 15-30 minutes at the same temperature.
• The total cooking time should be around 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken's skin is golden and crispy, and the juices run clear. You can check this by inserting a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh—the liquid that runs out should be clear.
• Alternatively, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The temperature should reach at least 74-75˚C/165˚F.
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Air fryer settings

To make chicken gravy from an air fryer, you will need to adjust the settings of your air fryer at various stages of the cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the whole chicken breast-side down in the air fryer basket. This helps keep the meat moist by allowing juices to run into the breast.
• Cook the chicken for 30 minutes at 350°F (180°C).
• Open the air fryer and carefully flip the chicken to breast-side up.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F (180°C) again and cook for another 15-30 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) to be fully cooked.
• Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving and serving.
• After removing the cooked chicken, there should be drippings at the bottom of the air fryer basket. These drippings are the basis for your gravy.
• If you want to make the gravy directly in the air fryer, sprinkle flour over the drippings and cook at 400°F (200°C) for about a minute. This will cook the flour and help absorb the juices.
• Add your choice of liquid, such as chicken stock, wine, or water, and stir well.
• Continue cooking for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy reaches your desired consistency.
• Alternatively, you can transfer the drippings to a separate pan on the stovetop and make the gravy there by whisking in flour and liquid.

By following these air fryer settings and adjusting the temperature and cooking times accordingly, you can cook delicious chicken and make flavourful gravy using the drippings from the air fryer.

Cooking time

Stage 1: Preparing the Chicken

Before cooking, it's important to pat the chicken dry and ensure that it fits snugly in your air fryer. If the chicken is too big, you may need to consider spatchcocking it or trimming the legs. This step doesn't involve any cooking per se, but it's a vital part of the overall process.

Stage 2: Initial Cooking

Once your chicken is prepared, it's time to start cooking. Place the chicken in the air fryer, breast-side down, and set the temperature to 171-180˚C (340-350˚F). The cooking time for this stage varies depending on the size of your chicken and the specific air fryer model. For a 1.5 kg chicken, cook for about 25 minutes. For a larger chicken, around 3-5 pounds, cook for 30 minutes.

Stage 3: Flipping and Glazing

After the initial cooking, it's time to flip the chicken. Carefully turn the chicken over so that it's breast-side up. At this stage, you can also add a glaze to the chicken for extra flavour. Brush the glaze onto the chicken and set the air fryer to 180˚C (356˚F). The cooking time for this stage is typically around 20 minutes.

Stage 4: Checking Doneness and Resting

After the chicken has cooked breast-side up, it's crucial to check if it's fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 75-165˚C (165-176˚F). If it hasn't, you may need to add a few more minutes to the cooking time. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving and serving.

Stage 5: Making the Gravy

While the chicken is resting, you can prepare the gravy using the drippings from the air fryer. Place the air fryer basket back in and sprinkle flour over the remaining juices and vegetables. Cook this mixture at 200˚C for about a minute to cook the flour and absorb the juices. Then, add your choice of liquid, such as stock or wine, and stir well. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy reaches your desired consistency.

Adjustments and Variations

It's important to note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of your chicken. Always refer to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your air fryer. Additionally, some recipes suggest adding vegetables to the air fryer, such as onions, carrots, and garlic, which can impact cooking times. Adjustments may also be necessary if you're cooking a smaller chicken or using a different glaze or seasoning.

Making the gravy

Now that your chicken is cooked and resting, it's time to make the gravy. This can be done in the air fryer itself or on a stovetop. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Air fryer method:

• If you cooked your chicken in a non-stick bowl, you should have a delicious mix of juices and fats in the bowl. Sprinkle flour over this mixture and set the air fryer to 200˚C for a minute. This cooks the flour and helps it absorb the juices and fats.
• Add red wine and stock to the bowl and stir. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches a coating consistency.
• Remove the bowl and pass the contents through a sieve into a small saucepan. Reduce for a further minute or so, or until you're happy with the consistency.

Stovetop method:

• Add the juices and fats from the chicken (and any additional juices that have gathered while the chicken was resting) to a small saucepan and place over high heat.
• Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Slowly add cornflour slurry (or a mixture of flour, milk, salt, and pepper) while stirring with a whisk. Keep adding until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
• Add any leftover juices from the air fryer basket to give the gravy maximum flavour. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

And there you have it! A delicious, juicy chicken gravy to go with your air-fried chicken.

Serving suggestions

Chicken fried steak is a great meal to serve the whole family. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your chicken fried steak experience.

Mashed or Baked Potato

A classic side dish to serve with chicken fried steak is mashed potato. The creamy texture and mild flavour of mashed potatoes complement the crispy texture and savoury flavours of the chicken fried steak. Alternatively, you could serve baked potatoes for a more robust texture.

Biscuits

Biscuits are another great option to serve with chicken fried steak. Try them with honey butter or garlic butter for an extra indulgent treat.

Green Beans

If you're looking for a healthier option, green beans are a great choice. They can be steamed, boiled, or sautéed and seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs to suit your taste.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and delicious option to serve as a side dish. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, and their natural sweetness pairs well with the savoury flavours of the chicken fried steak.

Corn-on-the-Cob

For a more summery option, corn-on-the-cob is a great choice. It's sweet, juicy, and can be grilled or boiled to enhance its natural flavour.

Roasted Vegetables

If you want to serve a variety of vegetables, roasted vegetables are a great option. Try vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. They can be seasoned with herbs and spices and roasted to perfection, adding a nice crispy texture to your meal.

Salad

A fresh and healthy option to serve with chicken fried steak is a salad. You can customise your salad with a variety of greens, vegetables, and dressings to suit your taste and nutritional needs.

Gravy

And, of course, don't forget the gravy! The gravy made from the chicken drippings is the perfect complement to the chicken fried steak and will take your meal to the next level.

With these serving suggestions, you can create a well-rounded and delicious meal that your family and friends will love.

Frequently asked questions