Air Frying Chicken Breasts: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken breasts are a versatile protein that can be used in a variety of dishes. They can be cooked in an air fryer to make them tender and juicy. The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken breasts and the desired level of doneness. The internal temperature of the chicken breasts should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure food safety.

How long to brine chicken

Brining is an essential step to ensure your chicken is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The process involves soaking the chicken in a saltwater solution or dry-brining with salt, and it can make a significant difference in the texture and taste of your chicken. Here's a detailed guide on how long you should brine your chicken for optimal results.

According to experiments conducted by Cook the Story, the ideal brining time for chicken breasts is between 30 minutes to one hour. Brining for 30 minutes will give your chicken a lightly salted flavor and make it slightly more tender. Aiming for the one-hour mark will result in perfectly seasoned, juicy, and noticeably tender chicken.

However, it's important to note that brining for longer than one hour can lead to overly salty chicken. The texture may also change significantly, becoming similar to deli meat.

When it comes to bone-in chicken pieces, a longer brining time is recommended. Aim for around four hours of brining to ensure the meat absorbs enough moisture and flavor.

If you're preparing a whole chicken, it's best to brine it for at least four hours. You can even brine it overnight for more intense flavor penetration. This will ensure the brine reaches all parts of the chicken, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat.

Tips for Optimal Brining:

• Use cold water for your brine solution. Warm water may prevent the brine from effectively penetrating the meat.
• The type of salt matters. Different types of salt have varying crystal sizes, so adjust the amount accordingly.
• You can freeze brined chicken. Brine for 30-60 minutes, drain the excess brine, and store the chicken in the freezer for up to six months.
• Don't rinse the chicken after brining. Rinsing may increase bacteria in your kitchen and doesn't effectively remove salt from the meat. Simply pat the chicken dry before cooking.
• Brining is especially useful if you're using an air fryer, as it helps keep the chicken moist and prevents dryness.

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to brine your chicken to perfection, ensuring juicy, tender, and flavorful results every time!

How to cook juicy chicken

Ingredients and Preparation

To cook juicy chicken in an air fryer, you will need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Spices (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper)
• Meat tenderizer or rolling pin (optional)

First, create a dry brine by sprinkling salt over the chicken and letting it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This step is optional but helps to keep the chicken moist and enhances its flavour.

Next, pound the chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to ensure they are of even thickness. This will help the chicken cook evenly.

Then, coat the chicken breasts with oil and sprinkle your chosen spices over them, rubbing them in with your hands.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 360-415°F. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts:

• Small breasts (5-7 oz): 7-12 minutes
• Medium breasts (6-10 oz): 10-15 minutes
• Large breasts (9-12 oz): 13-20 minutes

Check that the chicken is cooked through by using an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serving

Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help retain the juices and ensure the chicken is moist.

Tips

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken breasts can touch but should not overlap.
• Do not overcook the chicken. This is the most common reason for dry chicken.
• Marinating the chicken before cooking is a great way to add extra flavour. Try Italian dressing or a blend of olive oil with spices.
• If you are using frozen chicken, thaw it first and let it come to room temperature before cooking.

Sides and Meal Prep

Air fryer chicken breasts are versatile and can be served with a variety of sides, such as salads, soups, casseroles, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. They are also great for meal prep and can be sliced and stored in containers with your favourite sides for quick and easy meals throughout the week.

How to cook frozen chicken

Cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve juicy and tender results:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 360-400°F (180-200°C). Preheating is especially important when cooking breaded chicken, as it helps prevent the breading from becoming soggy. For raw frozen chicken, preheating is not essential, but it may help speed up the thawing process.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Take the desired amount of frozen chicken breasts out of the freezer. It is important to note that the cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, so try to use similarly sized pieces for even cooking. Place the frozen chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between the pieces for even cooking and proper air circulation.

Step 3: Initial Cook

Cook the frozen chicken for 10 minutes at a lower temperature (around 360-375°F or 180-190°C). This initial cooking period allows the chicken to defrost. For raw chicken, you can season both sides with salt at this stage, but for breaded chicken, you should wait until after the initial cooking period to add any seasonings or oil.

Step 4: Season and Cook Further

After the initial 10 minutes, remove the chicken from the air fryer. This is when you would add your chosen seasonings and a drizzle of olive oil or avocado oil to the chicken breasts. You can use a simple combination of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs like basil or thyme. You can also use store-bought seasoning blends or a marinade. Once the chicken is seasoned, place it back into the air fryer and increase the temperature to around 400°F (200°C). Cook for an additional 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

The cooking time will vary based on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Small chicken breasts (around 4-5 ounces or 113-142 grams) may take 20 minutes in total, while medium breasts (6-8 ounces or 170-227 grams) may take 25 minutes, and large breasts (10-12 ounces or 283-340 grams) may take up to 30 minutes. The best way to ensure your chicken is cooked through is to use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once your chicken has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This helps retain the juices and keeps the chicken moist and tender. You can serve your air-fried chicken with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad.

Tips for Success:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken in a single layer, ensuring there is space between the pieces.
• Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process can help ensure even cooking.
• Avoid using aerosol spray in your air fryer, as it can break down the non-stick coating. Instead, use a spray bottle with oil to coat the basket.
• If you are cooking breaded chicken, it is best to preheat the air fryer to prevent the breading from becoming soggy.

How to reheat chicken

Preparation

Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to remove the chill. This will help it heat more evenly. If you want to, you can brush the chicken with a little oil or use a cooking spray to enhance crispiness.

Air Fryer Setup

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). You can skip this step, but it helps ensure even cooking. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with space between each piece for airflow. If you're reheating bigger pieces, you may need to do this in batches.

Reheating

Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the chicken. Flip the chicken after 6 minutes for even reheating. Depending on the size of your chicken, it could take between 10 and 20 minutes to heat through.

Start checking the internal temperature after 10 minutes to prevent overcooking. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, increase the heat to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute.

Tips

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can cause uneven reheating.
• If your chicken is coated with sauce or breadcrumbs, place it on parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Remember to adjust the reheating time based on the thickness of your chicken pieces.
• Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it's thoroughly reheated to 165°F (74°C).
• Experiment with seasonings or sauces to add extra flavour to your reheated chicken.

Timing

The time needed to reheat chicken in an air fryer will vary depending on factors like the thickness of the chicken, the starting temperature, and the model of the air fryer. Here's a rough guide:

• Smaller pieces: 6-10 minutes
• Larger pieces: 10-15 minutes
• Very large or bone-in pieces: 15-20 minutes

What to serve with chicken

Now that you've got the timings for your air fryer chicken breast, it's time to think about what to serve with it. Here are some ideas for side dishes to accompany your juicy chicken:

Vegetables

• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Roasted spring vegetables
• Corn on the cob
• Cabbage
• Squash
• Peas
• Mushrooms
• Salad

Starch

• Potatoes (mashed, roasted, boiled, wedges, baby, sweet)
• Rice
• Pasta
• Couscous
• Quinoa

Other

• Macaroni cheese
• Cheese sauce
• Bread rolls
• Focaccia
• Cornbread
• Stuffing

Specific Examples

• Honey roasted carrots
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Sautéed garlic green beans
• Sautéed garlic mushrooms
• Quinoa spinach salad
• Roasted cauliflower
• Potatoes au gratin
• Roasted garlic Parmesan baby potatoes
• Greek lemon roasted baby potatoes
• Stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar
• Herb-roasted sweet potatoes
• Cheesy garlic dinner rolls
• Scalloped potatoes
• Air fryer asparagus
• Greek salad
• Roasted brussels sprouts with maple-soy caramel
• Air fryer broccoli
• Gluten-free cornbread
• Mediterranean orzo salad
• Roasted spaghetti squash

Frequently asked questions