Dehydrating Chicken In An Air Fryer: How Long Does It Take?

Dehydrating chicken is a great way to make a tasty snack for yourself or your pets. It is also a good way to store chicken for longer. To dehydrate chicken in an air fryer, first, slice a boneless skinless chicken breast into thin, uniform pieces. Then, place the chicken slices in the air fryer and cook at 280°F for about 9 minutes. Finally, set the air fryer to 170°F and cook for another 1.5 to 2 hours. The chicken is done when it is hard and not spongy to the touch.

Chicken jerky in an air fryer: a chewy snack for humans and dogs

Chicken jerky is a tasty and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed by both humans and dogs. Making chicken jerky in an air fryer is a convenient and fast method that produces delicious results. Here is a detailed guide on how to make chicken jerky in an air fryer, along with some tips and tricks to ensure a perfect batch every time.

Ingredients and Preparation

To make chicken jerky in an air fryer, you will need boneless and skinless chicken breasts. Fresh chicken breasts are ideal, but you can also use frozen chicken and let it thaw for about 10 minutes before slicing. Using a sharp knife, slice the chicken into thin, uniform pieces. For a chewier jerky, cut the chicken with the grain. It is important to remove any excess fat or connective tissue from the chicken as it can affect the dehydration process and the final texture of the jerky.

Marinade (Optional)

While not necessary, marinating your chicken strips before dehydration can add extra flavour to your jerky. You can experiment with different marinades, but a simple option is to use a combination of barbecue sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar. Other popular ingredients for jerky marinades include soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, various types of vinegar, salt, black pepper, and dried spices and herbs. It is recommended to marinate the chicken strips for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours for the best flavour infusion.

Pre-Cooking

Before dehydration, it is important to pre-cook the chicken to kill any bacteria and ensure food safety. Place the chicken strips in the air fryer basket and cook at a temperature of 280°F for about 9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This is a crucial step to prevent any foodborne illnesses, especially if you are making jerky for your furry friend.

Dehydration

After pre-cooking, it's time to dehydrate the chicken. Set your air fryer to a temperature between 160°F and 170°F. Place the chicken strips in a single layer on the air fryer trays or baskets, ensuring they don't overlap. Dehydrate for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the thickness of your chicken strips. You'll know they're done when they are hard and not spongy to the touch. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary, so keep an eye on your jerky and adjust the timing as needed.

Storage

Once your chicken jerky is done, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or bag. Refrigerate the jerky and consume it within a week for optimal freshness and food safety.

Tips and Tricks

• If you want to add spices or flavouring to your jerky, choose dog-safe options if you're making treats for your pup. Avoid seasonings like garlic or onion, which can be harmful to pets.
• Experiment with different marinades to find your favourite flavour combinations.
• Always pre-cook your chicken to the recommended temperature to ensure bacteria are eliminated.
• Store your chicken jerky in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life and maintain freshness.

Marinade for chicken jerky

Chicken jerky is a great, healthy snack option that is easy to make and can be stored for long periods. It is also a good way to preserve meat and make space in your freezer.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breast
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce
• Sriracha
• Rice vinegar
• Mojo Criollo marinade
• Cajun seasoning

Instructions

Firstly, slice the chicken into thin, even strips. This is important to ensure that the chicken dries evenly. You can use a sharp mandoline slicer or partially freeze the chicken to make slicing easier.

Next, prepare your marinade. You can go in several directions with the marinade, but a simple option is to use a combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Alternatively, you can use Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce, Sriracha, and rice vinegar for a mix of salty, umami, and sweet flavours.

Place the chicken strips in a large plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Mix well until all the strips are evenly coated. Place the bag in the fridge and let the meat soak in the marinade for 4-8 hours, or even overnight.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, strain the meat and remove any excess marinade.

Dehydrating the Chicken

Now it's time to dehydrate the chicken. If you're using an air fryer, remove the crisper plate from the air fryer basket. Place half of the meat slices in a single layer on the bottom of the basket. Place the crisper plate on top and lay the remaining chicken strips on it.

Place the basket in the air fryer and select the "DEHYDRATE" setting. Set the temperature to 150°F (65°C) and dehydrate for 4 hours. Check the chicken jerky and if it's not to your desired texture, continue dehydrating for an additional 20-30 minutes.

Once the chicken jerky is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool. Store it in an airtight container.

Tips

• You can also use an oven on its lowest setting to dehydrate chicken. Just make sure to check the chicken every 30 minutes to avoid burning.
• If you want to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, you can place the finished jerky in an oven preheated to 250-275°F for 5-10 minutes.
• To add a smoky flavour to your chicken jerky, use smoked paprika in your marinade or add liquid smoke to your marinade if using an air fryer.
• If you want to extend the shelf life of your chicken jerky, add curing salt to your marinade.
• Always remember to trim any excess fat from the chicken before marinating, as fat does not dry or rehydrate well.

Pre-cooking chicken to kill bacteria

It is important to pre-cook chicken to kill bacteria before dehydrating it. Cooking chicken does not sterilize it, but it does kill most bacteria. Salmonella is a concern with raw chicken, so it is important to cook it thoroughly before dehydration.

The FDA recommends cooking chicken to 165°F (74°C) to kill off any bacteria. This can be done in an oven, air fryer, or instant pot. After cooking, the chicken should be shredded into strips and placed on dehydrator trays, ensuring they do not overlap.

Dehydrating chicken in an air fryer can be done at a temperature setting of 170°F (77°C) for about 1.5–2 hours. The duration may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken strips. It is important to ensure the chicken is fully dehydrated and stored properly to prevent it from going bad.

Additionally, it is crucial to clean the air fryer after cooking raw chicken to prevent the growth of bacteria and the buildup of grease, which can cause smoke or even a grease fire.

Dehydrating chicken in an air fryer vs. a food dehydrator

Dehydrating chicken is a great way to store chicken for longer, prepare backpacking meals, and always have healthy munchies and protein on hand.

Dehydrating Chicken in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, and reheating food. Many air fryers feature a "dehydrate" button, which circulates warm air around the food to remove excess moisture. The dehydration process in an air fryer can take anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours, depending on the type of food. For example, dehydrating fruit in an air fryer usually takes about 4 hours, while vegetables can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.

When dehydrating meat in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe to ingest. Additionally, it is recommended to cook the chicken before dehydrating it to kill any bacteria.

Dehydrating Chicken in a Food Dehydrator

Food dehydrators use low temperatures to remove moisture from food. They typically take longer to dehydrate than air fryers, favouring a low and slow cooking method. Dehydrators are specifically designed for dehydration, so they may be more effective at removing moisture than an air fryer.

When dehydrating chicken in a food dehydrator, it is recommended to cook the chicken first and then dehydrate it at a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius or 145 degrees to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 hours.

Comparison

Both air fryers and food dehydrators are effective tools for dehydrating chicken. Air fryers offer the advantage of multiple cooking functions, while food dehydrators are designed specifically for dehydration and may provide more consistent results. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a versatile appliance, an air fryer may be a better option. However, if you plan to dehydrate large batches of food or want more consistent dehydration results, a food dehydrator might be more suitable.

Storing dehydrated chicken

Firstly, it's important to allow the chicken to cool to room temperature after dehydration. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can promote bacterial growth and spoilage. Once the chicken has cooled, it should be transferred to an airtight container or a sealed bag. Glass jars or Mason jars are ideal, but Ziploc bags can also be used. It's worth noting that some sources suggest conditioning the jars by shaking them daily for seven days before long-term storage.

The dehydrated chicken should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry, and away from direct sunlight. It does not need to be refrigerated, and doing so may even be detrimental due to the moisture present in refrigerators.

Properly dehydrated and stored chicken should last for over a year, although there are varying recommendations on the exact duration. One source suggests using the chicken within a year, while another recommends consuming it within six months for safety. However, hikers have reported using dehydrated chicken after six months or more without any issues, provided it was stored correctly.

In summary, storing dehydrated chicken is a simple process of cooling, packing, and placing it in a cool, dry location. With proper storage, dehydrated chicken can be a long-lasting, safe, and convenient food option.

Frequently asked questions