Cody Casey
Marinated chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes, including rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. Cooking marinated chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare the dish, with most recipes taking under 20 minutes to cook. The air fryer method also results in juicy and tender chicken, without the extra grease of pan-fried chicken. The cooking time for marinated chicken in an air fryer depends on the thickness and size of the chicken breasts, as well as the specific model of the air fryer.
How long to cook marinated chicken in an air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade ingredients | Olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, etc. |
| Marinating time | 30 minutes to 12 hours |
| Air fryer temperature | 350-400°F |
| Air fryer preheating time | 3-5 minutes |
| Air fryer cooking time | 12-20 minutes |
| Internal temperature of chicken | 160-165°F |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the chicken
For a simple marinade, you can use a mixture of olive oil and vinegar. For a more complex marinade, try a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic granules, herbs, salt, and pepper. You can also add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano to taste.
Once you have prepared your marinade, trim any visible fat and undesirable parts from the chicken breasts. Then, place the chicken in a large bowl or plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Massage the chicken gently with your hands, so the marinade is properly absorbed. Cover or seal the container or bag, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 24 hours. The longer you can leave the chicken to marinate, the more intense the flavour will be.
When you are ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade and place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure the chicken comes to room temperature before cooking. Do not overlap or stack the chicken pieces, as this will affect cooking time and evenness. Discard the remaining marinade.
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Pre-cooking the chicken
Preparing chicken for the air fryer is simple and only requires a few steps. First, select your preferred cut of chicken. Chicken breast is a popular choice, but you can also use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or any other cut you prefer. If you're using chicken breast, it's important to ensure they are not too thin or too thick, as this can affect cooking time and the overall juiciness of the meat. You may need to slice thicker chicken breasts in half lengthwise or pound them out to ensure even cooking.
Once you have your desired cut of chicken, prepare the marinade. You can use a variety of ingredients to create a marinade, but a typical combination includes olive oil, lemon juice, and dried herbs. Other options include avocado oil, vegetable oil, balsamic or red wine vinegar, coconut aminos, low-sodium soy sauce, garlic, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix your chosen ingredients in a small bowl, or use a store-bought marinade.
Next, transfer the chicken to a Ziploc bag or a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and gently massage it with your hands until the chicken is well coated. It's important to ensure that the chicken absorbs the flavours of the marinade. Let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 20 minutes to 30 minutes. For maximum flavour, you can marinate the chicken for up to 12 hours or even 24 hours, but be careful not to exceed this time, as the meat may start to break down.
After the chicken has marinated, remove it from the marinade and place it in the air fryer basket. It's important to note that you should not overlap or stack the chicken pieces in the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Discard any remaining marinade. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer.
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Air fryer temperature
The air fryer temperature and cooking time for marinated chicken depend on the cut and thickness of the chicken. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 390°F/195°C or 400°F/204°C for 3-5 minutes. Then, cook the chicken for 10 minutes, flip it, and cook for another 6-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C.
For example, for boneless chicken breasts, it is recommended to cook them at 400°F/204°C for 12-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. On the other hand, for chicken thighs, it is suggested to cook them at 390°F/195°C for a total of 18 to 20 minutes, also flipping them halfway.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken. For thicker chicken breasts, it is recommended to cut them in half lengthwise or pound them to ensure even cooking. Additionally, it is advised to let the marinated chicken come to room temperature before cooking and to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is safe to consume.
When reheating leftover marinated chicken, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes. If reheating from frozen, cook for 10 minutes per side.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for marinated chicken in an air fryer depends on the cut and thickness of the chicken, the temperature of the air fryer, and the desired level of browning.
It is recommended that you let the marinated chicken come to room temperature before cooking it. The ideal marination time is between 20 minutes to 4 hours, but it can be left for up to 12 hours or even 24 hours. However, if left for longer than 24 hours, the meat will start to break down.
When cooking, most sources recommend flipping the chicken halfway through. The cooking time varies depending on the source, with some suggesting a total cooking time of 18 to 20 minutes, while others suggest a total time of 16 to 17 minutes. The temperature settings also vary, with some sources recommending 390°F/195°C, and others suggesting 400°F/204°C.
For chicken breasts, one source recommends a total cooking time of 14 to 16 minutes, flipping the chicken after 8 minutes and checking the temperature with a meat thermometer. The ideal internal temperature for chicken is 165°F/74°C. Another source recommends cooking chicken breasts for 12 to 14 minutes, without flipping, and checking the temperature after 12 minutes.
For chicken thighs, one source recommends cooking for 10 minutes, then flipping and cooking for an additional 6 to 8 minutes.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve air-fried marinated chicken. The chicken can be served hot with roasted turnips, stir-fried spinach with garlic and Parmesan, garlicky green beans stir-fry, or barely-cooked asparagus with lemon-mustard vinaigrette. If it's salad season, you can serve it with an avocado tomato salad or a jicama salad.
The chicken can also be cut up and kept in the fridge to add to salads or stir-fries later in the week. It can be served with lemon wedges and freshly chopped herbs on top.
If you're looking for a low-carb or keto-friendly option, the air-fried marinated chicken breasts are a good main dish. You can also serve it with broccoli mac and cheese, which is sure to be a family favorite.
Chicken is a versatile protein that goes well with a variety of side dishes. You can use your favorite bottled sauce or make your own marinade with olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil, and balsamic or red wine vinegar. You can also add coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
The chicken can be served with a light coating of parmesan cheese, egg, and panko breadcrumbs for a "fried" texture.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the fridge. The longer you marinate, the more time the flavours will have to soak into the meat.
It takes between 18 to 24 minutes to cook marinated chicken in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken you are cooking. For example, chicken breasts will take 12-14 minutes, whereas chicken thighs will take 16 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to between 390°F/195°C and 400°F/204°C. If your air fryer doesn't reach 400°F, set it to its highest temperature. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F/74°C when it is cooked.
