Air Frying Bone-In Chicken: The Perfect Timing

Bone-in chicken breasts are a great option for a quick, easy, and juicy meal. With an air fryer, you can have a delicious, crispy-skinned chicken dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. The air fryer's quick cooking time and even heat distribution ensure that your chicken remains moist and tender without drying out. You can season your chicken with a variety of herbs and spices and serve it with a range of side dishes, making it a versatile and convenient weeknight dinner option.

Seasoning the chicken breast

Choose Your Seasonings:

Select the seasonings that you want to use on your chicken breasts. You can opt for a simple blend of salt and pepper or get creative with other spices. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, Chinese 5-spice, Old Bay Seasoning, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Feel free to use a premade seasoning blend or create your own mix. For a sweet and spicy twist, you can even coat the chicken with brown sugar, as it caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer.

Prepare the Chicken:

Before seasoning, it is essential to pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This step ensures that the seasonings will stick to the surface of the chicken. If your chicken breasts have skin, you can gently lift the skin and sprinkle some seasoning underneath for added flavor.

Apply Oil:

Drizzle or rub a high-quality olive oil on both sides of the chicken breasts. Olive oil serves as an excellent base for the seasonings to adhere to the meat. It also helps to crisp up the skin and enhance the overall flavor. If you don't have olive oil, you can use other mild cooking oils like avocado oil.

Season Generously:

Now it's time to sprinkle or rub the seasonings onto the chicken. Ensure you coat all sides of the chicken breasts evenly. If using a premade seasoning blend, follow the package instructions for the appropriate amount. If working with individual spices, adjust the quantities to your taste preferences. Don't be afraid to be generous with the seasonings, as this will infuse flavor into the chicken.

Massage the Seasonings:

Once you've coated the chicken breasts with the seasonings, use your hands to gently massage the spices onto the meat. This step ensures that the seasonings are evenly distributed and helps them stick to the surface. Massaging the meat also allows the spices to penetrate the chicken, enhancing the flavor from the inside out.

Rest and Cook:

After seasoning, let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to settle. Then, place the chicken breasts in the air fryer, following the cooking instructions for bone-in chicken. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer, but it typically ranges from 20 to 30 minutes for juicy, tender results.

Feel free to experiment with different seasoning combinations to find your favorite flavor profiles. Remember, the beauty of seasoning is that you can make it as simple or as adventurous as you like!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It helps to create a crispy exterior on your chicken and ensures even cooking throughout. It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 360 and 385 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and that the skin becomes crispy.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the desired temperature. Most air fryers will have a preheat setting, but if yours does not, you can simply set it to the desired temperature and wait for it to heat up. This usually takes around 2-3 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the display shows that the set temperature has been reached.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken breasts. Pat them dry with a paper towel to absorb any extra moisture. This step is important as it helps the chicken develop a crispy skin during cooking. It also helps the seasonings stick to the chicken better.

After patting the chicken dry, you can season the chicken breasts. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or even a blend like Montreal Chicken Seasoning. Be sure to coat all sides of the chicken evenly. You can also drizzle the chicken with olive oil before sprinkling on the seasonings to help them stick and enhance the crispiness.

Once your air fryer is preheated and your chicken is seasoned, you can place the chicken breasts into the air fryer basket and set the timer for the desired cooking time. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer, the cooking time can vary, but it typically ranges from 20 to 30 minutes.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for bone-in chicken breasts in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the size of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook at 360-385 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes.

Firstly, preheat the air fryer to 360-385 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and to achieve a crispy exterior.

Next, prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with a paper towel. This step helps to remove any extra moisture, ensuring the chicken cooks evenly and allowing the seasonings to stick to the meat.

Then, season the chicken breasts. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or even a simple blend of salt and pepper. Rub the seasonings into the chicken, ensuring that all sides are coated evenly.

Now, place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, in a single layer with space between each piece. This ensures that the hot air circulates around the entire surface of the chicken.

Cook the chicken for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts. For larger breasts, they may take a few extra minutes to cook. It is recommended to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

To check if the chicken is done, use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If the chicken has not reached this temperature, return it to the air fryer and cook in 5-minute intervals until it is done.

Finally, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender chicken breast.

Resting the chicken

During the resting period, the chicken continues to cook due to residual heat. This is known as carry-over cooking. It is important to consider this when determining the ideal cooking time. Removing the chicken from the air fryer a few minutes before it reaches the desired internal temperature of 165°F will ensure it does not overcook. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the temperature of the chicken. By taking it out a few degrees lower, you can ensure the chicken reaches the perfect temperature while resting and stays juicy.

The resting period also allows the juices to settle, making the chicken more succulent. This is especially important if you are cooking multiple chicken breasts, as it ensures that all pieces are cooked evenly and no piece is overcooked or dry. Overcooking chicken can result in dry and tough meat, which is not desirable. By allowing the chicken to rest, you give the juices time to redistribute, creating a more flavorful and moist dish.

Additionally, resting the chicken makes it easier to handle and carve. When chicken comes straight out of the air fryer, it is extremely hot. Allowing it to rest gives it time to cool down slightly, making it safer and more convenient to handle. This is especially important if you are serving the chicken whole and allowing your guests to carve their own portions. A well-rested chicken will hold its shape better and provide a more aesthetically pleasing presentation.

Finally, resting the chicken gives you the opportunity to prepare any sides or sauces that accompany the dish. Chicken is often served with a variety of side dishes, such as vegetables or salads, and sauces like gravy or dips. By letting the chicken rest, you can focus on finalizing these accompaniments, ensuring that the overall meal is well-prepared and presented. This also ensures that the chicken and its sides are served at the ideal temperature, creating a more enjoyable dining experience.

Storing leftovers

While you can regain some crispiness on the outside of the chicken, the inside may be drier than when it was first cooked. You could also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, but the crispiness of the skin will be lost.

There are plenty of recipes that use cooked chicken, so you could add your leftover chicken to a Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole, or a Cobb Salad.

Frequently asked questions