Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great way to cook stuffed chicken breasts. The cooking time depends on the ingredients used to stuff the chicken, the size of the chicken breasts, and the number of chicken breasts being cooked. On average, it takes between 15 to 25 minutes to cook stuffed chicken breasts in an air fryer.

How to butterfly chicken breast

Now that you know how long it takes to cook stuffed chicken breast in an air fryer, it's time to learn how to butterfly the chicken breast.

Butterflying a chicken breast is a simple technique that can be done in a few easy steps. It involves cutting the chicken breast horizontally so that it opens up like a book, but not cutting all the way through, so the two halves stay connected. This results in a thinner, more even piece of meat that cooks quicker and more evenly. It also creates the perfect pocket to stuff with your favourite ingredients.

Step 1: Place the chicken breast on a clean, flat work surface or cutting board. Use a sharp knife, such as a boning knife or a chef's knife, and place your non-dominant hand on top of the chicken breast, curving your fingers slightly for safety.

Step 2: Insert the knife into the middle of the thickest part of the chicken breast and cut horizontally through the breast, almost to the end, but being careful not to cut all the way through. You can use a single slicing motion or a series of shorter cuts to help keep the cut even.

Step 3: Open the chicken breast like a book, laying the top piece flat on your board. You now have a larger, thinner piece of chicken breast that is ready to be stuffed and cooked.

Optional Step: If you want to pound the meat to an even thickness, place the butterflied chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or inside a plastic bag. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken from the centre out until it reaches your desired thickness.

Now that you know how to butterfly a chicken breast, you can try it out the next time you make stuffed chicken breast in your air fryer!

How to make the filling

Now that you know how long it takes to cook stuffed chicken breast in an air fryer, let's get into the fun part: preparing the filling!

There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a filling for your stuffed chicken breast. Here are some detailed instructions on how to make a few popular options:

Creamy Spinach and Cheese Filling:

This classic combination is a match made in heaven and can be prepared in a few simple steps:

• Start by gathering your ingredients: cream cheese, shredded Parmesan cheese, baby spinach, garlic, and any additional seasonings like red pepper flakes or salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and any other shredded cheese of your choice. You can also add in some garlic for extra flavour.
• Roughly chop the baby spinach leaves and add them to the bowl. You can also use thawed frozen spinach, but be sure to squeeze out any excess liquid first.
• Mix all the ingredients until well combined. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste preferences.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Cheese Filling:

Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavour and a touch of sweetness to the filling. Here's how to make it:

• Gather your ingredients: cream cheese, shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, and any desired seasonings.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and shredded cheese until well combined.
• Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes and add them to the bowl. You can also blot them with a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
• Mix all the ingredients until well incorporated. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste.

Greek-Inspired Filling:

For a Mediterranean twist, try a Greek-inspired filling with fresh herbs and vegetables:

• Gather your ingredients: spinach, garlic, olive oil, feta cheese, black olives, red onion, and fresh herbs like oregano and basil.
• Chop the spinach, garlic, red onion, and herbs.
• Heat some olive oil in a pan and add the chopped vegetables and herbs. Sauté until softened and fragrant.
• Crumble the feta cheese and add it to the pan. Stir until the cheese is melted and combined with the vegetables.

Antipasto Filling:

Bring the flavours of an antipasto platter to your stuffed chicken breast with this filling:

• Gather your ingredients: cured meats like salami or prosciutto, cheese such as mozzarella or provolone, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and marinated artichoke hearts.
• Chop the meats, cheeses, and vegetables into small pieces.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Remember, these are just a few suggestions, and you can get creative with your fillings! Feel free to experiment with different combinations of cheeses, vegetables, herbs, and seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile. Happy cooking!

How to cook the chicken

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Toothpicks or metal skewers
• Spinach
• Cream cheese
• Feta cheese
• Garlic
• Red bell pepper
• Oregano
• Cheddar cheese
• Ham
• Tomato slices
• Bacon (optional)

Method:

• Prepare the filling by mixing together your choice of cheese, spinach, garlic, and any other desired ingredients in a bowl. You can also add in cooked bacon or ham for extra flavor.
• Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting a horizontal slit in each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. You can ask your butcher to do this step for you if preferred.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, both inside and out.
• Stuff each chicken breast with the filling. Use toothpicks or skewers to close the pocket and secure the filling inside.
• Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil. This step is optional, but it will help to create a crispier exterior.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F.
• Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping or touching.
• Cook for 15-20 minutes at 350°F, or 15-18 minutes at 380°F, until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the meat, being careful not to touch the stuffing.
• Remove the toothpicks or skewers before serving.

Tips:

• If you are cooking more than two chicken breasts, you may need to increase the cooking time to 25-30 minutes, as the extra chicken will cool the air fryer down.
• For food safety, always ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F before serving.
• You can wrap the outside of the stuffed chicken breasts with raw bacon slices and secure them with toothpicks before air frying for extra flavor.

How to cook frozen stuffed chicken in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen raw stuffed chicken breast
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Your favorite spices (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer
• Sharp knife
• Toothpicks

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the frozen raw stuffed chicken breast from its packaging.
• Brush both sides of the chicken breast with a light coating of olive oil.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken breast. You can also add your favorite spices to taste.
• Place the seasoned chicken breast into the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space for proper air circulation.
• Set the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and cook for 18-20 minutes. Flip the chicken breast halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken breast with a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
• Once the chicken breast reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can stuff the raw chicken breast with a variety of fillings, such as cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. Ensure the filling is cooked before stuffing the chicken.
• You can also use a batter or breading on the frozen raw stuffed chicken breast to create a crispy texture when air frying.
• Make sure to add a non-stick coating or spray to your air fryer basket to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Don't forget to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time!

How to reheat stuffed chicken in the air fryer

To reheat stuffed chicken in an air fryer, you should:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place your leftover stuffed chicken in the air fryer basket.
• Reheat for 5 to 8 minutes, or until warmed through.

This should result in your stuffed chicken being warmed all the way through, while maintaining a golden exterior.

Frequently asked questions