Air Fryer Chicken: How Long To Fry Raw Chicken?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, and the best part is that it takes less than 15 minutes to make juicy and tender chicken. The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken breasts, with small breasts (5-7 ounces) taking 6 to 10 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 ounces) taking 10 to 15 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) taking 12 to 20 minutes. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer is 360 to 415 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chicken breast fillets in an air fryer for 8 minutes

Overview

Air-fried chicken breast fillets are a quick, easy, and healthy meal option. The air fryer's convection heat ensures even cooking, resulting in juicy and tender chicken. The key to success is to avoid overcooking the chicken and let it rest after cooking.

Ingredients and Preparation

For this recipe, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, and your choice of seasonings.

Start by placing the chicken breasts on a cutting board and covering them with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness. This step ensures even cooking.

Next, you can choose to dry brine the chicken by sprinkling it with kosher salt and letting it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to a day. This step is optional but helps improve the texture and flavor of the meat.

After brining, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, prepare your seasoning blend by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to ensure an even coating.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or follow your air fryer's instructions). Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.

Remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken over using tongs. Continue cooking for an additional 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The chicken is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F, but you can remove it a few degrees early and let the residual heat finish the cooking.

For best results, use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of your chicken. The total cook time will vary based on the size of your chicken breasts and the model of your air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer chicken breast fillets are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:

• Salads: Top your favorite salad with the air fryer chicken. It goes well with a spinach strawberry salad or a keto coleslaw.
• Sandwiches or Wraps: Use the chicken in a chicken Caesar wrap or add it to an avocado grilled cheese sandwich for extra protein.
• Pasta: Toss the chicken with some veggie pasta or serve it on the side of a high-protein pasta dish.
• Pizza: Add the chicken to a buffalo chicken pizza for a flavorful and protein-packed option.
• Sides: Make the chicken the star of your meal and serve it with sides like roasted potatoes and carrots or scalloped potatoes.

Storage and Reheating

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350°F.

You can also freeze the cooked and cooled chicken breasts in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips and Tricks

• Ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation.
• Always use room temperature chicken for accurate and consistent cooking times.
• Don't line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can affect the even cooking and taste of the chicken.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The chicken breasts can touch but should not overlap.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain moisture and juiciness.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked chicken breast fillets from the air fryer!

Chicken breast slices in an air fryer for 10 minutes

Overview

Air-fried chicken breast slices are a quick, easy, and healthy meal option. The air fryer's convection heat ensures juicy and tender chicken without the need for excessive oil. With a simple spice blend and a few minutes of preparation, you can transform chicken breast slices into a delicious and versatile dish.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (around 7 ounces each)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Spices: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, brown sugar, cornstarch, and black pepper

Optional Ingredients

• Marinade: Italian dressing, gochujang sauce, or your choice of marinade
• Dipping sauce: house-made gochujang dipping sauce or your preferred sauce

Instructions

• Preparation: Start by thinly slicing the chicken breasts into flat pieces. Pat them dry if they have excess moisture. You can also lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This step ensures even cooking and maximizes the surface area for flavor.
• Coating: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with your chosen spices and oil. Ensure that each piece is well-coated. You can let the chicken sit with the spices for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor. However, if you plan to use cornstarch, add it just before placing the chicken in the air fryer.
• Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (some recipes suggest 415°F, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model). Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation. Air fry for about 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For larger pieces, you may need to increase the cooking time to 13 minutes or more.
• Resting: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This step helps retain moisture and ensures juicy chicken.

Tips and Variations

• Brining: For extra juiciness, you can brine the chicken before cooking. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt directly on the meat).
• Frozen Chicken: If using frozen chicken, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4-5 hours before cooking. Then, let it come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before seasoning and air frying.
• Oil Alternatives: While olive oil or avocado oil are commonly used, you can also use other neutral-flavored high-heat oils, such as canola oil or grapeseed oil.
• Spices and Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different spice blends and seasonings to find your favorite flavors. You can also use store-bought seasoning blends, such as McCormick Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning.
• Dipping Sauces: Enhance your chicken's flavor by serving it with dipping sauces. You can make a gochujang dipping sauce by mixing mayonnaise, gochujang sauce, grated garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
• Side Dishes: Air-fried chicken breast slices go well with various side dishes, such as asparagus, mashed potatoes, green salads, or roasted vegetables.
• Reheating: To reheat leftovers, add a teaspoon of water to the chicken and cover it before microwaving. This helps add moisture and prevents dryness.

Chicken breast slices in an air fryer for 13 minutes

Preparation:

First, gather your ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil or avocado oil, and your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or Italian dressing. Don't forget the kosher salt for dry brining!

Now, let's prepare the chicken. Start by slicing the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. This step is crucial for even cooking and maximizing flavor. Pat the chicken dry, then place the slices in a bowl. Drizzle or brush the chicken with oil, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Next, sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the chicken and toss until each piece is thoroughly coated. You can let the chicken rest at this stage or cook it immediately—the choice is yours!

Cooking:

Set your air fryer to 375°F (some recipes suggest 415°F, but adjust according to your air fryer's capabilities). Place the chicken slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there's space for air to circulate. Preheat the air fryer if desired, though it's not necessary.

Cook the chicken for 13 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken slices and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F, but remember that the chicken will continue to cook a little after you remove it from the air fryer.

Serving:

Once your chicken is cooked to perfection, transfer it to a platter or cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This step is essential to seal in the juices and ensure your chicken stays nice and juicy. After resting, slice or dice the chicken and serve it however you like! It's perfect for salads, wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, or simply enjoying on its own with your favorite sides.

Storage:

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for later use. To reheat, pop it back into the air fryer or oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Chicken breast in an air fryer for 15 minutes

Overview

Air-fried chicken breast is a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be served hot or cold and used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches. The air fryer's convection heat ensures juicy, tender chicken without the need for high oven temperatures.

Preparation

Before cooking, you can brine or marinate the chicken to enhance its flavour and texture. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest, while marinating involves soaking it in a seasoned liquid. You can also simply season the chicken with herbs and spices of your choice.

Cooking

Set your air fryer to 375°F (some recipes recommend 415°F). Lightly pound the chicken to flatten it, then coat it with oil and your chosen seasonings. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3-8 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts.

Serving

Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. It's recommended to serve the chicken with sides like asparagus, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

Storage

Air-fried chicken breast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a teaspoon of water to the chicken and cover it before placing it in the microwave to prevent it from drying out.

Chicken breast in an air fryer for 16-20 minutes

Overview

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breast, giving it a juicy and tender texture. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 16-20 minutes to cook large chicken breasts (9-12oz) in an air fryer.

Preparation

Before cooking, it is important to ensure the chicken breasts are at room temperature. They can be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Olive oil or avocado oil can be used to help the seasonings adhere to the chicken and keep it moist. Some recipes also suggest brining or marinating the chicken before cooking for extra flavour and juiciness.

Cooking

When cooking chicken breast in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that there is enough space between the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. The chicken should be cooked for around 16-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking. The ideal internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F (71°C).

Serving

Air fryer chicken breast can be served in a variety of ways, such as sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta, or pizza. It is a versatile dish that can be used for meal prep and is a quick and healthy option for lunches and dinners.

Frequently asked questions