Air Fryer Chicken Fillet: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken fillets can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 8 minutes, but the timing depends on the size of the fillet and the desired level of doneness. Small fillets (5-7 ounces) will take around 6 to 10 minutes, medium fillets (8-10 ounces) will take 7 to 12 minutes, and large fillets (11 ounces or more) will take 10 to 20 minutes. It is important to ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F to prevent foodborne illness.

How to season chicken fillets for the air fryer

Choosing the Chicken

The key to a good air-fried chicken fillet is to choose the right size of boneless, skinless chicken breasts — around 7 ounces. If you're cooking for a larger group, you can go for larger breasts, but they will take an extra 1-4 minutes to cook.

Preparing the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them in a bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and ensure the chicken is well coated.

Seasoning

There are endless options for seasoning your chicken fillets. Here are some suggestions:

• Smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder for a delicious smokey and umami flavor.
• Paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
• Cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

You can also try other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley, or a marinade.

Mix your chosen spices together in a small bowl and then rub them onto both sides of the chicken fillets. If you have time, you can leave the chicken to sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors develop.

Cooking

Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Then, flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

For larger chicken breasts, you may need to cook for a further 1-4 minutes. Always ensure that your chicken is cooked through before serving.

How to prepare the air fryer for cooking

Setting Up Your Air Fryer

Firstly, remove all packaging materials and clean all parts and accessories. Then, place the air fryer on a level, flat, and dry surface, ensuring there is adequate clearance around the appliance. Refer to your owner's manual for specific setup instructions.

Preparing Food for Air Frying

Lightly coat the basket of your air fryer with an oil spray to prevent sticking. Then, distribute your food in a single layer across the bottom of the basket for an even bake. Spritz or brush your proteins or vegetables with a light coat of oil and your desired seasonings before placing them in the basket. If you are reheating food, you can skip the oil.

Preheating Your Air Fryer

Not all air fryers require preheating, so be sure to refer to your manual for specific instructions. Preheating usually takes a few minutes and helps to ensure consistent results.

Selecting Air Fryer Cooking Time

Cooking time varies depending on the recipe and the type of food. As a general rule, reduce the temperature of the air fryer by 25°F if converting a deep frying recipe, and by 25°F and 20% of the cooking time if converting a conventional oven recipe.

Shaking or Flipping Food

Most air fryers require you to shake or flip your food at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. Some recipes may require you to shake or flip every 5 minutes.

Cleaning Your Air Fryer

Always clean your air fryer after each use to prevent flavour mixing. Allow your air fryer to cool, then unplug it and remove the crumb tray and air fry basket. Clean these parts with warm, soapy water using a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. For stuck-on foods, soak the parts in warm, soapy water before cleaning, and use a soft-bristle brush to clean the mesh of the basket. Wipe the inside and outside of the air fryer with a damp cloth, then dry and replace the crumb tray and basket.

How long to cook chicken fillets in the air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken fillets in an air fryer depends on the size of the fillets and the temperature of the air fryer. A general rule of thumb is that the air fryer should be set to around 360-400°F (180-200°C) and the chicken cooked for 10-15 minutes. However, this can vary depending on the size of the chicken fillets.

Small chicken fillets (5-7 ounces)

Small chicken fillets weighing between 5 and 7 ounces will take around 6 to 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Medium chicken fillets (8-10 ounces)

Medium-sized chicken fillets, weighing between 8 and 10 ounces, will take a little longer, with most sources recommending 10 to 12 minutes in the air fryer.

Large chicken fillets (11 ounces or more)

Large chicken fillets, those weighing 11 ounces or more, will need a little more time again. These larger fillets should be cooked for 12 to 20 minutes, depending on their size.

Checking for doneness

It's important not to overcook chicken, as this can lead to dry meat. The best way to check if your chicken fillets are cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Resting

Once your chicken has reached the correct internal temperature, it's a good idea to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and helps ensure your chicken stays moist and juicy. Aim for a resting time of 5 to 10 minutes.

How to know when chicken fillets are cooked

Checking the internal temperature

The best way to check if chicken fillets are cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature. According to FDA recommendations, chicken is considered fully cooked and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Some recipes recommend removing the chicken from the heat at around 155°F-160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests.

Checking the juices

If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can check the doneness of the chicken by inserting a knife into the thickest part of the fillet and checking the colour of the juices. If the juices run clear (no cloudy colour or redness), the chicken is cooked.

Resting the meat

Resting the chicken for 5-10 minutes after cooking is an important step to ensure the meat stays juicy. During this time, the juices will be reabsorbed into the chicken, keeping it moist and flavourful.

Size and weight matter

The cooking time for chicken fillets will depend on their size and weight. Smaller fillets (around 5-7 ounces) will take around 6-10 minutes to cook, while larger fillets (11 ounces or more) can take up to 14-20 minutes. It's important to ensure even cooking by flipping the fillets halfway through and checking that the internal temperature has reached 165°F before serving.

How to store leftover chicken fillets

Air-fried chicken fillets are a quick and easy meal to make, but what should you do with leftovers? Here are some tips on how to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and safe to eat.

Storing Leftover Chicken Fillets in the Fridge

Leftover cooked chicken should be cooled to room temperature and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's important to do this quickly, as bacteria can multiply if the chicken is left out for more than two hours. When stored correctly, leftover chicken will usually last for three to four days in the fridge, although some sources say it can be kept for up to five days.

The best containers for storing leftover chicken are airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. These help to preserve freshness and prevent odours from transferring to other foods in the fridge. You can also wrap the chicken tightly in aluminium foil or plastic wrap, but make sure no air can get in. Leftover chicken should be stored on the bottom shelf at the back of the fridge, as this is the coldest part.

Storing Leftover Chicken Fillets in the Freezer

If you want to keep leftover chicken fillets for longer than a few days, you can freeze them. Wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a Ziploc freezer bag or wrap them again in foil. Squeeze out as much air as possible and label the bag with the date. Frozen chicken fillets will keep for up to six months, but for the best quality, they should be used within three months.

Reheating Leftover Chicken Fillets

When reheating leftover chicken, it's important to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to make sure it's safe to eat. You can reheat chicken in the oven, skillet, air fryer, or microwave. Here are some specific instructions for each method:

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. For larger pieces, cook for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Smaller pieces may only need 10-15 minutes.
• Skillet: Preheat a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Add the chicken and cover with a lid. Heat for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
• Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, regularly checking the internal temperature.
• Microwave: Place the chicken in a microwave-safe container, adding sauce or gravy to keep it moist. Cover and heat at medium power in intervals of a few minutes, checking the temperature after each interval.

Frequently asked questions