Air Fryer Chicken: The Perfect Timing And Temperature Combination

Chicken breasts are a versatile staple in many diets, but they have a reputation for being dry and bland. However, cooking them in an air fryer can result in juicy, tender, and flavourful meat.

The key to achieving this is to ensure the chicken breasts are of an even thickness, and to cook them at the right temperature for the right amount of time.

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer is around 375°F (190°C). At this temperature, chicken breasts weighing 6-7oz should take around 10 minutes to cook, while larger breasts weighing 10oz or more may take up to 14 minutes. It is also important to flip the breasts halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer, but this is not necessary for chicken breasts. Preheating can result in the outside of the meat cooking faster than the inside, leading to dryness.

To ensure the chicken breasts are juicy, some recipes recommend brining the meat before cooking. This involves either soaking the meat in a saltwater solution or sprinkling it with salt and leaving it to rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Chicken breasts can be seasoned in a variety of ways, but a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper works well.

Chicken breasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F

It's important to note that the temperature of chicken continues to rise after it has been removed from the heat source due to a phenomenon known as carry-over cooking. This means that chicken breasts can be removed from the heat once they reach an internal temperature of 162°F and allowed to rest for 30 minutes. During this time, the temperature will continue to rise and stabilize, ensuring the chicken is safe to eat without overcooking.

To accurately measure the internal temperature of chicken breasts, it is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer. The thermometer should be inserted into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding contact with bone, pockets of air, or fat, which can give a faulty reading.

For best results, it is also recommended to let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat juicy and tender.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your chicken breasts are cooked to the correct internal temperature of 165°F, making them safe to eat without drying out or becoming rubbery.

Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken breasts

The cooking time for chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Chicken breasts come in a variety of sizes, from small to large, and the cooking time will vary accordingly.

Small chicken breasts, weighing between 4 and 5 ounces, will take around 10 to 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer. Medium-sized breasts, weighing between 6 and 8 ounces, will need a little longer, around 13 to 15 minutes. For larger chicken breasts, those weighing 9 ounces or more, allow for a cooking time of 16 to 20 minutes.

It's important to ensure that chicken is cooked thoroughly to avoid food poisoning. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To check this, use an instant-read thermometer to measure the temperature at the thickest part of the breast.

Additionally, for even cooking and to ensure the chicken doesn't dry out, it's a good idea to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before placing them in the air fryer. This will help them cook more evenly and prevent the thinner parts from drying out while the thicker parts are still cooking.

By following these guidelines and adjusting the cooking time based on the size of your chicken breasts, you can ensure perfectly cooked, juicy, and tender chicken every time.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F

Preheating your air fryer is a great way to speed up cooking time and get that extra crispiness on your food. While it's not necessary for all air fryers, it can be a game-changer for certain dishes. Here are some detailed instructions on preheating your air fryer to 375°F:

First, make sure your air fryer is turned on and everything is clean, plugged in, and ready to go. Check your air fryer's manual to see if there is a preheat button or setting. If there is, select that option and set the temperature to 375°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, don't worry! You can still preheat manually by selecting the air fry setting and setting the temperature to 375°F.

Let the air fryer run for around 3 to 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature. This is a good time to prepare your food so that it's ready to go once the air fryer is preheated. Once the preheat timer goes off, carefully place your food into the air fryer basket, making sure it's in a single layer with some space between each item.

Now, you're ready to start cooking! Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on what you're making, so refer to your recipe for specific instructions. Preheating your air fryer is a simple step that can make a big difference in the final result, so it's worth giving it a try!

If you're cooking thicker cuts of meat, you might want to skip the preheating step as it can cause the outside to burn before the inside is cooked. In this case, place the meat in the air fryer before turning it on to ensure even cooking.

Pat dry the chicken breasts and season with olive oil

To make delicious chicken breasts in an air fryer, you'll want to start by patting the chicken dry. This step is important because it helps to ensure that your chicken will turn a nice golden brown colour while cooking. Blotting the excess moisture from the chicken breasts with paper towels will help to achieve this.

Once your chicken breasts are dry, you can begin to season them. Olive oil is a great option for a base layer of seasoning, as it will help to keep the chicken moist in the middle while also keeping the outside crisp and tender. When coating the chicken breasts with olive oil, be sure to be generous and rub the oil onto each fillet.

There are many different seasoning combinations that you can use to flavour your chicken breasts. A simple option is to just use salt and pepper. If you're looking for something a little more complex, you could try a combination of smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You could also try a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whatever seasoning combination you choose, be sure to mix your spices together in a bowl before applying them to the chicken. Sprinkle the mixture over the chicken, or use your hands to coat each piece thoroughly.

After your chicken breasts have been seasoned, you can place them in the air fryer. Be sure to leave enough space between them to allow for good airflow. For best results, the air fryer should be preheated to 400°F. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, they will need to cook for 6 to 14 minutes. For small breasts, cook for 6 to 8 minutes, for medium breasts, cook for 7 to 10 minutes, and for large breasts, cook for 10 to 14 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute or two before serving. Enjoy!

Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness

Using an instant-read thermometer is the most accurate way to check if your chicken is cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast or thigh, ensuring it is not touching any bones. The thermometer will give a temperature reading in about 15 seconds. As per FDA recommendations, the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

When checking the temperature, don't worry about hitting the exact centre of the meat. Instead, push the thermometer all the way through to the other side, and then slowly retract it. As the tip of the thermometer enters the meat, the temperature reading will rise and then start to drop as you get closer to the centre. Keep retracting the thermometer slowly until you hit a low point, and then start to see the temperature rise again. This minimum point is the temperature reading you should go by.

It's important to note that cooking times can vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts and the settings of your air fryer. For example, small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces) may only need 6 to 8 minutes in the air fryer, while larger breasts (11 ounces or more) may need up to 14 minutes. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check that your chicken has reached the safe internal temperature, regardless of the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions