Air Fryer Chicken Kievs: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Chicken Kievs are a delicious, garlicky treat, but how long do they take to cook in an air fryer? The answer depends on a few factors, such as the size of the Kievs, the temperature of the air fryer, and whether you're cooking from frozen. In general, you can expect to air fry chicken Kievs for around 15 to 30 minutes, but read on for more specific instructions.

Cooking chicken kievs from frozen

Chicken kievs are a delicious, easy meal to make in an air fryer. If you're cooking from frozen, simply place the kievs in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C for 25 to 30 minutes, or according to the packet instructions. If you're cooking from fresh, you can follow the same method but reduce the cooking time to 18 to 20 minutes.

To make sure your kievs are cooked through, it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is cooked when it reaches 74-75°C. You can also tell if the kievs are cooked by cutting into them – the meat should be white and the juices should run clear.

Before serving, leave the kievs to rest for a few minutes. This will help keep them juicy and tender. Serve with your favourite sides, such as mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.

If you want to add extra flavour to your kievs, you can try making your own garlic butter. To do this, mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, and nutmeg. Season well with salt and pepper, then wrap the butter in cling film to form a log shape. Place in the freezer until hard, then stuff the butter into a pocket you've cut into the side of each chicken breast.

Using foil to avoid losing garlic butter

If you're cooking chicken kievs in an air fryer, it's recommended that you cook them at 180°C for 18 to 20 minutes, or 25 to 30 minutes if they're frozen. If you're cooking them from fresh, you can also spray them with nonstick spray and cook them for 5 minutes, spray them again, and then cook for another 5 minutes. You should cook them until the juices run clear and the internal temperature is 74-75°C.

To avoid losing garlic butter, you can place the kievs on foil before putting them in the air fryer. This will catch any butter that leaks out during cooking, so you don't lose any. You can also freeze the garlic butter in advance. To do this, mix the softened butter with garlic, parsley, and nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Then, wrap the butter in cling film to form a log shape and place it in the freezer until it's hard.

Using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature

To do this, simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the kiev. If you are using a digital thermometer, it should beep when it reaches the correct temperature. If you are using a manual thermometer, you will need to keep an eye on the temperature reading as it cooks.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your kievs, as well as the temperature of your air fryer. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature a few minutes before the recommended cooking time is up. This will help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your kievs.

If you are cooking frozen kievs, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes. However, it is still important to check the internal temperature to ensure they are cooked properly.

Resting the chicken for a few minutes before serving

After cooking your chicken Kievs in the air fryer, it's important to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that the chicken stays moist and tender. It also gives the chicken time to finish cooking gently, so it reaches the perfect temperature for serving.

Resting the chicken also gives you a chance to prepare any sides and get them ready to serve alongside the Kievs. Mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a fresh salad all work well.

If you're cooking from frozen, you'll need to allow a little longer for resting – around 5 minutes should be enough to ensure the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.

When resting the chicken, it's a good idea to transfer it to a cutting board or serving platter. This will free up your air fryer basket for any sides you might want to cook, like chips or onion rings.

Cooking time for breaded chicken kievs

The cooking time for breaded chicken kievs in an air fryer depends on the temperature you set and whether you are cooking from frozen.

If you are cooking from fresh, you should air fry at 180°C for 18 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 75°C. If you are cooking from frozen, you should air fry at 180°C for 25 to 30 minutes or according to packet instructions.

If you are cooking at a lower temperature of 155°C, you should cook your chicken kievs for 20 to 25 minutes.

You should always check that the chicken is cooked through before serving. You can do this by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the kiev. It should read at least 74°C.

Frequently asked questions