Air-Fryer Chicken: Perfect Timing For Crispy, Juicy Results

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, giving it a crispy, golden brown crust while keeping the meat tender and juicy. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, but generally, it takes around 10-20 minutes to air fry chicken. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to prevent food poisoning.

How long to cook chicken in an air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer depends on the size and type of chicken, as well as the temperature of the air fryer.

Air Fryer Temperature

Most sources recommend setting your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) when cooking chicken. However, some recommend a temperature of 400°F or 360°F.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

For boneless skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time will depend on the size of the breasts. Small breasts (5 to 7 ounces) will take 7 to 10 minutes, medium breasts (8 to 10 ounces) will take 10 to 12 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12 to 16 minutes.

Bone-In Chicken Breasts

For bone-in chicken breasts, the cooking time will be slightly longer. One source recommends cooking an 8-ounce breast for 5 to 6 minutes, while another recommends 15 to 18 minutes for breasts weighing between 8 and 16 ounces.

Chicken Tenders or Strips

Chicken tenders or strips will cook more quickly than bone-in pieces. Be sure to check them frequently to avoid overcooking, as they are best when they are just cooked through (165° to 170°F in the thickest part).

Whole Chicken

A whole chicken weighing 3 to 4 pounds can be cooked in the air fryer in about 40 minutes. It is recommended to start the chicken breast-side down and flip it halfway through.

Frozen Chicken

You can cook frozen chicken in the air fryer, but it will take longer than fresh chicken. For frozen chicken breasts, one source recommends preheating the air fryer to 360°F and cooking for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. For frozen chicken tenders, another source recommends cooking at 350°F for 10 minutes, flipping, and then cooking for an additional 8 minutes.

Checking Doneness

To check if your chicken is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Air fryer temperature for chicken

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because chicken breast benefits from high-temperature baking for a shorter period of time, and the air fryer offers this advantage.

However, the temperature settings may vary depending on the type and model of the air fryer being used. For example, some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, while others recommend a temperature of 415 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking chicken.

It is important to note that the temperature settings for air fryers are not standardised, and users should refer to their specific air fryer's instructions for optimal temperature settings. Additionally, the cooking time for chicken in an air fryer will vary based on the size of the chicken breasts, with smaller breasts requiring less cooking time than larger ones.

Air fryer chicken breast recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Spices/seasoning of your choice

Method:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound into an even thickness.
• To dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and leave in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 day. If you don't have time to brine, skip this step.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. For a spicy blend, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for a further 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• Brining the chicken beforehand will improve its texture and flavour, but it is not mandatory.
• You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling with salt).
• Don't overcook the chicken, as this will dry it out.
• You can also cook frozen chicken in the air fryer, although the results won't be as juicy. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once.

Air fryer chicken breast cooking time

The cooking time for chicken breasts in an air fryer depends on the size of the breasts. The air fryer is a mini convection oven that cooks chicken breasts to be supremely tender and juicy.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

Chicken breasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the temperature of the air fryer.

For example, at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, small chicken breasts (4-5 ounces) should be cooked for 10-12 minutes, medium breasts (6-8 ounces) for 13-15 minutes, and large breasts (9-12 ounces) for 16-20 minutes.

At 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the cooking time is slightly shorter: small breasts (2/3 pound each) for 7 minutes on each side, or 13 minutes total; medium breasts (8-10 ounces) for 10-12 minutes total; and large breasts (11 ounces or more) for 12-16 minutes total.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

• Marinate or brine the chicken breasts beforehand to add flavour and ensure they remain juicy.
• Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness so that they cook evenly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—the chicken breasts can touch but should not overlap.
• Let the chicken breasts rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to settle and to ensure they stay juicy.

Air Fryer Temperature

While some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer, others suggest that this is unnecessary and can result in the outside of the chicken cooking faster than the inside. A temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended for cooking chicken breasts, though some recipes suggest 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Know When Chicken Breasts Are Cooked

Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken breasts has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The chicken is safe to eat at this temperature, but some recipes suggest removing the chicken from the heat a few degrees early and allowing the residual heat to finish the cooking process.

Air fryer chicken breast marinade

Overview

Air frying chicken breasts is a fast, healthy, and easy way to cook chicken. The air fryer ensures the chicken is tender and juicy, and it's also great for meal prep.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Spices: Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried sage, black pepper, and salt.

Method

• Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and avoids undercooking or overcooking.
• Marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. You can also add other ingredients like brown sugar, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better—up to 24 hours if possible.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360-375°F. Spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the marinated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Brush on any additional marinade and season with salt and pepper.
• Air fry for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. For smaller breasts (4-5 oz), cook for 10-12 minutes. For medium breasts (6-8 oz), cook for 13-15 minutes. For larger breasts (9-12 oz), cook for 16-20 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat at 165°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• Brining the chicken before marinating can add extra flavour and moisture. Brine the chicken by sprinkling with salt and letting it rest for 30 minutes or more before marinating.
• If you want a crispy "fried" texture, coat the chicken with a mixture of parmesan cheese, egg, and panko breadcrumbs before air frying.
• Always ensure your chicken is fully thawed before air frying.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of your chicken to avoid overcooking, which can lead to dry chicken.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat juicy.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer chicken breasts are versatile and can be served with a variety of sides. Try them with:

• Air fryer asparagus or Brussels sprouts
• Garlic Parmesan potatoes with green beans
• Roasted turnips, stir-fried spinach, or garlicky green beans
• Salads, such as a chopped green goddess salad or avocado tomato salad
• Broccoli mac and cheese

Frequently asked questions