Air Fryer Chicken Strips: How Long Until They're Done?

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook chicken strips. The cooking time will depend on the specific model and power of the air fryer, but generally, chicken strips will take around 10-12 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For the best results, it is important to preheat the air fryer, ensure that the chicken strips are not overcrowded in the basket, and spray them with oil to help achieve a crispy texture.

Pre-cooking prep: from marinating to brining

Brining

Brining is a process of soaking meat in a saltwater solution before cooking. It helps to tenderise the meat and keep it moist. The salt in the brine penetrates the meat, making it taste seasoned throughout, and the liquid helps to keep it juicy. You can brine chicken using a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).

To wet brine chicken, cover the chicken in a saltwater solution (1 tablespoon of salt to 1 cup of water) and leave it to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. If you are short on time, you can also dry brine your chicken by sprinkling it with salt and leaving it uncovered in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to a day.

Marinating

Marinating chicken is another great way to add flavour and moisture to your meat before cooking. You can marinate chicken in a variety of liquids, such as olive oil, lemon juice, or a homemade sauce like teriyaki. You can also add herbs and spices to your marinade, like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or parsley.

To marinate chicken, simply place the meat in a bowl or plastic bag with your chosen marinade and leave it to soak in the fridge. You can marinate chicken for as little as 30 minutes, or for up to 12 hours for best results. If you are using frozen chicken, it's important to note that it will only start to absorb the marinade once it has fully defrosted.

Other Pre-cooking Tips

Before cooking your chicken strips in the air fryer, there are a few other things you can do to ensure they turn out perfectly:

• Bring your chicken to room temperature before cooking.
• Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
• Generously spray the chicken tenders with cooking spray or olive oil to help them brown and crisp up.

Cooking methods: how long, at what temperature, and for how many people

The cooking time for raw chicken strips in an air fryer varies depending on the specific recipe and the number of chicken strips being cooked. Most recipes recommend cooking the chicken strips for around 10–12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, some recipes suggest cooking the strips for a shorter time, such as 5–6 minutes on each side, while others recommend a longer cooking time of up to 14 minutes. It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your chicken strips to ensure they don't overcook.

At what temperature?

To cook raw chicken strips in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 380°F and 400°F. The specific temperature may vary slightly depending on the recipe, but this temperature range is ideal for cooking chicken strips to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior.

For how many people?

The number of servings that each recipe yields can vary. Some recipes yield 4 servings, while others can yield up to 6 servings. The number of servings will depend on the number of chicken strips or tenders used in the recipe, as well as the serving size. For example, a serving size of 2–3 tenders is common.

Cooking equipment: air fryer models and basket sizes

Air fryers are a convenient and fast way to cook crispy food. They are essentially countertop convection ovens that use a heating element and a powerful fan to cook your food from all angles. The size of the air fryer basket is an important consideration when purchasing an air fryer, as it will determine the amount of food that can be cooked at one time.

• Power Air Fryer XL - 5 Quart (Model AF-530) 1700 W by Tristar Products Inc.: The basket is square with rounded edges and measures 9 inches wide and 9.75 inches deep.
• Power XL Vortex 7 Quart: The basket size is 9.5" x 10.25".
• Emerald from Best Buy: The bottom rack has a decent size of 8x7 inches, and the model was available on sale for $21.
• Cosori XL 5.8 Quart: This air fryer has a nonstick coated basket and is ideal for cooking for two or more people.
• Ninja Pro AF141: With a rated capacity of 5 quarts, the Ninja Pro offers a larger surface area of 64.9 square inches.
• Chefman TurboFry RJ38-5-T: This air fryer has a cooking surface area of 54.7 square inches and a capacity of 5.68-7.57 liters.
• Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer: This model has a roomy basket and a sleek exterior. It performed well in cooking crispy fries, juicy chicken, and a well-baked cake.
• Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer: This model has dual 4-quart baskets, allowing you to cook two different foods at once. It also has a Smart Finish feature, ensuring that both foods are cooked at the same time.
• Instant Vortex Mini 2-Qt Mini Air Fryer: This compact model can hold less than 3 quarts, making it ideal for cooking for one person.

When choosing an air fryer, consider the number of people you will be cooking for and the amount of food you typically cook. Additionally, some air fryers offer additional features such as dehydrating, broiling, baking, and roasting. It is also important to note that the volume of the basket is not as important as the surface area when it comes to air fryer cooking.

Post-cooking: reheating, storing, and freezing

Reheating

You can reheat your chicken strips in the air fryer to maximise their crunch. Place the chicken strips in the air fryer basket, set the temperature to 400°F, and reheat for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken strips halfway through.

Storing

Store your chicken strips in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezing

It is not recommended to freeze leftover chicken strips.

Serving suggestions: sauces, sides, and salads

Sauces

Chicken strips cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of sauces. Some popular options include ranch, BBQ sauce, honey mustard sauce, honey sriracha sauce, and buffalo sauce. You can also serve them with your favourite dipping sauce or a sweet-spicy sauce.

Sides

Air fryer chicken strips can be paired with a range of sides, depending on your preference and dietary needs. Here are some ideas:

• French fries
• Tater tots
• Sweet potato fries
• Onion rings
• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Frozen green beans
• Salad

Salads

While there are no specific salad recipes mentioned in the sources, the versatility of chicken strips means they can be added to a variety of salads. For example, you could try a classic garden salad with leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and your choice of dressing. Or, for a more substantial option, a chicken strip cobb salad with avocado, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and blue cheese. Chicken strips could also be a tasty addition to a Caesar salad or a Greek salad.

Frequently asked questions