Air-Fryer Chicken: Perfect Timing And Temperature

Air fryer chicken breast is a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 20 minutes. The air fryer cooks the chicken to perfection, ensuring it is tender and juicy. The best temperature to cook chicken breast in an air fryer is between 360 and 415 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but on average, it takes around 10 minutes for small breasts, 12 minutes for medium breasts, and 15 minutes for large breasts.

How long to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Here is a general guide:

• Small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces): 6 to 10 minutes
• Medium chicken breasts (8-10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes
• Large chicken breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes

Steps to Follow:

First, it is important to ensure your chicken breasts are an even thickness. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or even your palm to lightly pound the thicker side until the chicken breast is of uniform thickness. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the thinner side from drying out.

Next, you will want to season your chicken breasts. You can use a simple mix of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and thyme, or get creative with other dried herbs and spices. You can also marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or another marinade for extra flavour. If you choose to marinate, be sure to pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels before cooking.

Now it's time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F (180-200°C). Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. For smaller chicken breasts, cook for 6 to 10 minutes. For medium breasts, cook for 10 to 12 minutes. For larger breasts, cook for 12 to 16 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and helps keep the chicken moist and tender.

Tips for Success:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken breasts can touch, but make sure they are not stacked or overlapping.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165°F (74°C), but you can remove it from the air fryer at 160°F (71°C) as the temperature will continue to rise while resting.
• If you are using frozen chicken breasts, be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry any excess moisture before seasoning and cooking.
• For extra crispy chicken, you can bread the chicken breasts before air frying. Try a coating of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for a delicious, crispy exterior.

Air fryer temperature for chicken breasts

The air fryer is a great way to cook chicken breasts, giving them a juicy texture and a golden, crispy exterior. This method is also healthier than frying chicken in oil, and it's quicker than baking in an oven.

Temperature and Timing

The best temperature to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer is between 360 and 415 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, but it typically takes between 6 and 20 minutes.

• Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 6 to 10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes

It's important to ensure the chicken is cooked through. Chicken is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can remove it from the heat at around 155 to 160 degrees, as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests.

Preparation

Before cooking, you can pound the thicker side of the chicken breast with a meat mallet to ensure it cooks evenly. You can also marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or a spice rub to add extra flavour.

Some recipes suggest coating the chicken in a dry rub of spices and oil, while others recommend a light coating of olive oil and a simple seasoning of salt and pepper.

Air Frying

Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook for the recommended time, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Serving

Air fryer chicken breasts are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. You can slice or shred the chicken and add it to salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, or stir-fries. They can also be served as a main dish with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts for the hot air to circulate.
• Always use room temperature chicken for accurate and consistent cooking times.
• Don't line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can affect the cooking process and the taste of the chicken.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to finish cooking.

How to make air fryer chicken breasts

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Other dried herbs (optional)

Method

• If using frozen chicken breasts, let them defrost in the fridge overnight or for at least 4-5 hours. Then, let them come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before seasoning.
• Lightly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This will ensure they cook evenly and give them a better texture.
• In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. You can also add oil to create a paste.
• Coat the chicken breasts with oil and sprinkle the seasoning on both sides. Rub it in well with your hands.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts:

• Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 6-10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 10-12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 12-16 minutes

• Cook at 360-415°F. Flip the chicken breasts halfway through so that both sides cook evenly.
• Check that the chicken is cooked through. It should have an internal temperature of 160-165°F. If it is undercooked, return it to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
• Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips

• You can add vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, and bell peppers to the air fryer basket at the halfway point.
• If you have time, marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or make a brine for extra flavour and juiciness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space between the chicken breasts so that the hot air can circulate.
• Don't line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will affect the cooking process and the taste of the chicken.

How to use air fryer chicken breasts

Ingredients

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Paprika

Garlic powder

Other dried herbs (oregano, thyme, parsley, etc.)

Method

• Prep the chicken breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry. If they are very thick, use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness.
• Brine the chicken (optional): Sprinkle salt over the chicken and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This step will enhance the flavour and texture of the meat, but it is not necessary.
• Season the chicken: Mix the spices and herbs in a small bowl. Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle the spice mixture over them, rubbing it in with your hands.
• Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F (180-200°C). Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow hot air to circulate. Cook for 4-15 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, flipping them halfway through. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads an internal temperature of 160-165°F (71-74°C).
• Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• If using frozen chicken breasts, defrost them in the fridge overnight or for at least 4-5 hours before cooking. Then, let them come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before seasoning.
• For extra crispy chicken, preheat the air fryer. However, this may cause the outside of the chicken to cook faster than the inside, resulting in drier meat.
• For best results, flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Do not line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can affect the cooking process and the taste of the chicken.
• Always use room-temperature chicken for accurate and consistent cooking times.
• To add more flavour, marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or another marinade of your choice for up to 24 hours before cooking. Drain and pat the chicken dry before air frying.
• For a crispier coating, toss the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch and brown sugar before air frying.

Top tips for success

Prep the Chicken

The first step to achieving juicy, tender air fryer chicken breasts is to pound the chicken to an even thickness. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and eliminates the possibility of having an undercooked thicker end and an overcooked thinner end. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover them with plastic wrap, and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to the desired thickness.

Seasoning

The beauty of this air fryer chicken breast recipe is its versatility when it comes to seasoning. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with various spice blends. You can also marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or make a paste with oil and spices to coat the chicken. Regardless of the seasoning method you choose, be sure to brush or mist the chicken with extra virgin olive oil first to help the seasonings stick.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 350°F and 400°F. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook for the recommended time based on the size of your chicken breasts, flipping them halfway through. For smaller breasts (4-5 ounces), cook for 10-12 minutes. For medium breasts (6-8 ounces), cook for 13-15 minutes. For larger breasts (9-12 ounces), cook for 16-20 minutes.

Resting

Allowing the chicken to rest after air frying is crucial to retaining moisture and ensuring juicy results. Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a platter or cutting board and loosely cover them with foil. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Sides and Serving Suggestions

The great thing about air fryer chicken breasts is their versatility. You can serve them as a simple and healthy dinner option with sides like roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes, or chop them up for salads, soups, casseroles, and more. They can also be used in place of rotisserie chicken in various recipes.

Frequently asked questions