Air Fryer Chicken: Timing For Perfectly Cooked Meat

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, making them tender and juicy. The cooking time depends on the size of the breasts and the desired level of doneness, but generally, it takes around 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer, while others suggest cooking the chicken straight away. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly to avoid food poisoning.

How long to cook chicken in an air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken and the model of the air fryer. The air fryer is a high-powered, countertop convection oven that cooks food by blowing hot air down and around it. This means that food cooks faster in an air fryer than in a regular oven.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

The cooking time for chicken breasts in an air fryer depends on the size of the breasts. Here is a general guide:

• Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 6 to 10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 7-12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 10-16 minutes

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the model of the air fryer. It is always best to check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. The recommended internal temperature for chicken is 165°F.

How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer

A whole chicken typically takes around 30-40 minutes to cook in an air fryer. However, the exact cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and the model of the air fryer. It is important to cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure it is safe to eat.

Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Brining the chicken before cooking can help keep it juicy and flavourful. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. This process helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in more tender and flavourful chicken.
• It is not necessary to preheat the air fryer before cooking chicken. However, if your air fryer has a preheat function, you can use it to save some time.
• Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process ensures even cooking and helps prevent overcooking.
• Adding a simple spice rub or marinade to the chicken before cooking can enhance its flavour.
• Using an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken is the best way to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Air fryer temperature for chicken

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375°F (190°C)400°F or 415°F for a shorter amount of time.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and the temperature of the air fryer. For example, small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 6 to 10 minutes at 375°F, while large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12 to 16 minutes.

It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to be considered safe to eat. Some people prefer to remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155-160°F and let it rest for a few minutes, as the temperature will continue to rise and the chicken will stay juicy.

• Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature.
• Prepare the chicken by pounding it to an even thickness and seasoning it with oil, salt, and any desired spices or herbs. Some popular spice combinations include paprika, garlic powder, thyme, cumin, onion powder, and black pepper.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, leaving space between the pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the chicken according to the recommended time based on its size and the air fryer temperature.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Ensure it reaches 165°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

How to make air fryer chicken breasts

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Paprika

Method

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken into an even thickness.
• Dry brine (optional): Sprinkle salt all over the chicken and place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the spices.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (or 400°F if your air fryer doesn't go up to 375°F).
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 2 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F to 160°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• For juicy chicken, it's important not to overcook the chicken breasts. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, and remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155°F to 160°F. The residual heat will bring the chicken to the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• Brining the chicken for at least 30 minutes can help improve the texture and flavor. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt directly on the meat).
• If using frozen chicken breasts, thaw them completely and pat dry before seasoning and cooking.
• For crispy chicken, slice the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces before cooking. This will also help ensure even cooking and more flavor.
• You can marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or a spice rub overnight for extra flavor.

How to keep air fryer chicken from drying out

Air fryer chicken is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken. However, it can be easy to overcook the chicken, leaving it dry and tough. Here are some tips to ensure your air fryer chicken stays juicy and tender:

Use a Meat Thermometer

Using a meat thermometer will help you cook the chicken to the perfect temperature. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. However, if you take the chicken out of the air fryer at exactly 165°F, it will continue to cook and may become dry. Instead, remove the chicken when it reaches 155°F and let it rest for a few minutes. The temperature will continue to rise, and your chicken will be perfectly cooked.

Flatten the Chicken

Chicken breasts are often thick on one end and thin on the other, which can lead to uneven cooking. To ensure your chicken cooks evenly, flatten it out before putting it in the air fryer. You can do this by pounding the chicken with a meat mallet or rolling it out with a rolling pin. Aim for an even thickness of around 1 inch.

Brine or Marinate the Chicken

Brining or marinating the chicken before cooking will help it retain moisture and enhance its flavor. For a basic brine, dissolve a few tablespoons of salt in a bowl of water. Place the chicken in the brine and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. If you're short on time, even a 30-minute brine can make a difference. Just be sure to rinse and pat the chicken dry before cooking.

If you prefer a marinade, try a simple mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and your favorite herbs and spices. Place the chicken in a ziplock bag, add the marinade, and let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Don't Overcook the Chicken

Air fryer chicken cooks quickly, and it's easy to leave it in for too long. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken, but a good rule of thumb is to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts for around 10 minutes per side at 375°F. For bone-in chicken breasts, increase the cooking time to 12-15 minutes per side. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.

Use Oil

Coating the chicken with a thin layer of oil before cooking will help it stay moist and juicy. You can use any type of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. Simply drizzle or brush the oil over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated, then season and place in the air fryer.

Cut the Chicken into Strips or Pieces

Instead of cooking a whole chicken breast, try cutting it into strips or bite-sized pieces before air frying. This will reduce the cooking time and help ensure even cooking. It's also a great option if you're using the chicken in salads, sandwiches, or other recipes where you'll be cutting it up anyway.

Cook at a Lower Temperature

If you find that your air fryer chicken is consistently drying out, try lowering the cooking temperature. Instead of cooking at 400°F, try 350°F or 375°F. This will give the chicken more time to cook through without drying out the exterior.

Try Dark Meat

If you're finding that boneless, skinless chicken breasts are too dry, consider switching to dark meat. Chicken thighs and drumsticks have more fat and naturally stay juicier during cooking. They're also more forgiving when it comes to cooking time, so you're less likely to overcook them.

How to serve air fryer chicken

Air fryer chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sandwiches or Wraps

Create a chicken and avocado sandwich or wrap using keto tortillas, keto bread, or low-calorie wraps. You can also add some extra protein and make a chicken Caesar wrap or an avocado grilled cheese sandwich with herbed goat cheese and garlic.

Pasta

Slice the air fryer chicken and add it to a healthy pasta dish or serve it on the side with some high-protein or low-calorie pasta. It would go well with a veggie pasta like Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter.

Pizza

Use your air fryer chicken as a topping on a pizza. It would be delicious on a Buffalo chicken pizza or a cast-iron pizza.

Sides

Make the chicken the star of your meal and serve it with sides such as smoked mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, or curry fried rice.

Salad

Top your favorite salad with air fryer chicken. It would go well with a spinach strawberry salad with balsamic poppy seed dressing, a simple green salad, or a roasted broccoli salad. You can also add it to a keto potato salad or an avocado kale Caesar salad.

Stir Fry

Add air fryer chicken to a stir fry. It would be delicious in a vegetable lo mein or a chicken and broccoli stir fry.

Rice Bowls

Slice the air fryer chicken and serve it on top of rice bowls. It would be delicious with a creamy corn side or some green rice.

Tacos

Use the air fryer chicken to make chicken tacos. You can also add it to tortilla shells with your favorite toppings.

Dips

Slice the air fryer chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve it with your favorite dips. It would be delicious with a gochujang dipping sauce made by mixing mayo, gochujang sauce, grated garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.

Other Ideas

• Soups: Add air fryer chicken to your favorite soup or stew.
• Fajitas: Make chicken fajitas by slicing the air fryer chicken and serving it with sautéed peppers and onions.
• Curries: Add air fryer chicken to your favorite curry dish.
• Kebabs: Thread the air fryer chicken onto skewers with vegetables and grill them for a fun presentation.
• Grain Bowls: Serve air fryer chicken on top of a grain bowl with quinoa, farro, or brown rice.
• Stuffed Vegetables: Stuff air fryer chicken into peppers, zucchini, or portobello mushrooms for a tasty and healthy dish.

Frequently asked questions