Air-Frying Split Chicken Breasts: How Long Does It Take?

Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender meal with minimal prep time and almost no mess. Split chicken breasts are bone-in chicken breasts, usually sold with skin on, and are a great option for cooking in an air fryer as the bone and skin help keep the meat juicy and full of flavour. The air fryer is quicker than the oven, and the skin comes out extra crispy. This introduction will cover everything you need to know about cooking split chicken breasts in an air fryer, including preparation, cooking time, and serving suggestions.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures your chicken breast starts cooking at the right temperature, helping to create a crispy exterior and jumpstart the cooking process. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is between 360 and 375°F (190°C).

If you are using frozen chicken breasts, you may not need to preheat your air fryer. Simply place the frozen chicken in the air fryer and set the temperature to 350°F. However, if you are using fresh chicken, preheating is recommended.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to your desired level. Most air fryers will have a preheat setting, but if yours does not, you can simply set the temperature to the desired level and allow it to heat up for a few minutes before adding your food.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken breasts. Start by rinsing the chicken breasts under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy during cooking. Next, you'll want to rub the chicken breasts with oil. You can use olive oil or another mild cooking oil like avocado oil. This will help the skin crisp up and allow your seasonings to stick to the chicken.

Once your chicken breasts are prepared and your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you're ready to move on to the next step of cooking your split chicken breast.

Pat the chicken dry

If you are cooking multiple chicken breasts, it is important to check each one to ensure they are cooked through. Overcooking chicken will result in dry meat. Use a quick-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken breast. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

If you are cooking frozen chicken breasts, they should be thawed before cooking. If you are cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking.

Season the chicken

Seasoning the chicken is a crucial step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and helps to create a crispy exterior. Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This step will help the skin get crispy during cooking and allow the seasoning to stick to the chicken.

Next, you can drizzle olive oil, avocado oil, or another mild cooking oil over the chicken breasts, ensuring that they are evenly coated. This step is optional, but it can enhance the flavour and help the seasonings adhere to the chicken.

Now it's time to season the chicken! You can use a variety of seasonings, such as kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, or even a simple blend of salt and pepper. You can also get creative with your seasonings and try something like barbeque, lemon pepper, jerk seasoning, or a dry rub with chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste preferences. The key is to sprinkle or rub the seasoning generously over the chicken, ensuring that it coats all sides of the chicken breasts. If you want to get fancy, you can gently lift the skin and sprinkle some seasoning under it as well.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a brown sugar mixture for a sweet and caramelized flavour. Simply mix brown sugar with paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes, and either pour it over the chicken breasts or toss the chicken in the mixture.

Once your chicken is seasoned to perfection, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer basket and cooked to juicy, crispy perfection!

Flip the chicken halfway through

Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring your split chicken breast is cooked evenly on both sides. This is especially crucial if you're aiming for a crispy skin, as the air fryer's heating mechanism is located at the top of the machine, blowing hot air down and around the food.

By flipping the chicken, you expose both sides to direct heat, preventing one side from blackening while ensuring the other side achieves that desirable caramelized look and taste. This is also a good opportunity to check the internal temperature of the chicken breast with a quick-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast—it should have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered fully cooked.

If you're cooking multiple chicken breasts, it's important to check each one individually, as they may cook at different rates. Remove any chicken breasts that are done to avoid overcooking, as this will result in dry chicken. You can also use this opportunity to baste the chicken with any juices that have collected at the bottom of the air fryer, adding extra flavor and moisture to your dish.

Finally, flipping the chicken allows you to adjust the cooking time as needed. If your chicken breasts are larger, you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time. Conversely, if they are smaller, you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.

Check the internal temperature

Checking the internal temperature of your split chicken breast is an important step in the cooking process. This ensures that your chicken is cooked thoroughly and safely, without being overcooked. Using a quick-read or instant-read thermometer is the best way to check the internal temperature of your chicken. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast. The chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°Fahrenheit or 74°Celsius.

It is important to note that the cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer. Larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook, while smaller ones will cook more quickly. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the internal temperature of your chicken to ensure it reaches the safe temperature without overcooking. Overcooked chicken can become dry and less juicy.

Additionally, if you are cooking multiple chicken breasts, it is important to check each one individually, as they may cook at different rates. Remove any chicken breasts that have reached the desired internal temperature to avoid overcooking.

By following these steps and paying close attention to the internal temperature of your split chicken breasts, you can ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly, safely, and perfectly every time.

Frequently asked questions