Air Fryer Chicken Chunks: Timing For Perfect Results

Chicken chunks in an air fryer are a quick and easy meal to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a simple addition to any meal. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken chunks and the temperature of the air fryer, but on average, it takes around 8 to 12 minutes to cook chicken chunks in an air fryer.

Characteristics	Values
Temperature	375°F-400°F
Time	8-12 minutes
Chicken size	1-1.5 inch cubes
Chicken type	Boneless, skinless chicken breast/thighs/tenders
Oil	Olive oil/avocado oil/coconut oil
Seasoning	Italian dressing/adobo seasoning/dried herbs/salt/sazon seasoning

What You'll Learn

How to make chicken chunks in an air fryer?
How to season chicken chunks for the air fryer?
How to reheat chicken chunks in the air fryer?
How long to cook frozen chicken chunks in the air fryer?
What to serve with chicken chunks?

How to make chicken chunks in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make chicken chunks in an air fryer:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders
Olive oil or avocado oil
Salt
Spices/seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning)
Optional ingredients: apple cider vinegar, cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the Chicken into Bite-Sized Pieces

Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to cut the chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Marinade or Seasoning

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar (if using), and your choice of spices or seasonings. You can also add salt to taste. Mix well to create a marinade.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken with the Marinade or Seasoning

Add the chicken pieces directly to the bowl with the marinade or seasoning. Stir well to ensure that all the chicken pieces are evenly coated. You can let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the flavours to absorb.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, and cook in batches if necessary. Spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Cook the Chicken

Cook the chicken at 375-400°F for 8-12 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. Pause the air fryer and flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when it is browned and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 7: Rest the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These chicken chunks can be served as a main dish with sides like rice, potatoes, or vegetables. They also work well in wraps, salads, grain bowls, or tacos. You can also serve them as an appetizer or snack with your favourite dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Reheating Time

You may want to see also

How to season chicken chunks for the air fryer

Seasoning chicken chunks for the air fryer is a simple process and can be done in a few different ways. Firstly, you can coat the chicken pieces in olive oil or avocado oil, which helps the spices stick to the meat and prevents the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can then add your chosen spices and seasoning blends to the oil-coated chicken.

Some popular spice and seasoning options include:

Italian seasoning (dried herbs such as oregano, basil, and parsley)
Adobo seasoning (a Latin spice blend with onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, and other spices)
Cajun seasoning
Lemon pepper
Taco seasoning
Greek seasoning (Italian seasoning with oregano and red wine vinegar)
Ranch seasoning (dried chives, parsley, and dill)
Curry powder and cumin
Smoked paprika
Blackened seasoning
Everything bagel seasoning
BBQ seasoning
Black pepper
Salt

You can also add some cornstarch to the chicken to help it crisp up during cooking. Additionally, a small amount of sugar can be added to balance out the other spices and give the chicken a charred appearance and flavour.

Air Fryer Potato Wedges: Reheating Time

You may want to see also

How to reheat chicken chunks in the air fryer

If you're looking to reheat chicken chunks in an air fryer, there are a few simple steps to follow. Firstly, ensure your chicken chunks are similar in size to ensure even cooking. You can reheat chicken chunks in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F until they are heated through. You can also reheat chicken chunks in the microwave for 1-1:30 minutes or in a toaster oven for 4-7 minutes.

If you are cooking chicken chunks from scratch in the air fryer, the process is a little different. Firstly, cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders. Then, add your chosen seasonings and toss the chicken to ensure it is well coated. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 375°F-400°F for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The chicken chunks are ready when they are browned and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air-Fryer Mahi Mahi: Quick, Crispy, and Delicious

You may want to see also

How long to cook frozen chicken chunks in the air fryer

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken chunks, then the air fryer is a great option. Here's a guide on how long to cook frozen chicken chunks in your air fryer.

Preparation

First, you'll want to cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces or cubes. Aim for pieces that are around 1-inch in size for even cooking. You can use chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders, but make sure they are boneless and skinless.

Once you have your chicken pieces, you can season them however you like. Some popular options include Italian seasoning, Greek seasoning, ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, or a simple combination of salt and pepper. You can also add olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil to help coat the chicken and ensure it doesn't stick to the air fryer basket.

Cooking Time

Now, for the cooking time. For frozen chicken chunks, you'll want to cook them in the air fryer for around 11-15 minutes at a temperature of 350°F until they are cooked through. You may need to adjust the timing depending on the size of your chicken pieces and the type of air fryer you have. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

It's important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if needed, and be sure to shake the basket or flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking.

Serving Suggestions

These air fryer chicken chunks are versatile and can be served in many ways. You can use them as a main dish with sides like rice, potatoes, or vegetables, or add them to salads, wraps, tacos, or grain bowls. They also make great snacks or appetizers, and you can dip them in your favorite sauces.

So, there you have it! Cooking frozen chicken chunks in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious and healthy meal. Enjoy!