Frying Chicken Breasts: Air Fryer Time And Temperature Guide

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They're a quick and easy way to cook food that tastes amazing and is also healthy. One of the best things to cook in an air fryer is chicken breast, which can be ready in less than 20 minutes.

There are a few key steps to follow to ensure your chicken breast is juicy and tender. Firstly, you'll want to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Then, you'll need to coat the chicken in olive oil and a seasoning of your choice. Some popular seasonings include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Once your chicken is coated, place it in the air fryer and cook for around 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts, so be sure to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked air fryer chicken breast that's juicy and tender on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside.

How to season chicken breast for the air fryer

How to Season Chicken Breasts for the Air Fryer

Preparation

Before seasoning your chicken breasts, you should lightly pound them to flatten the thicker side. This will ensure even cooking and a juicy texture. You can also slice the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces for more even cooking and more surface area for the seasoning.

Seasoning

For the seasoning, you can use a simple mix of dried herbs and spices such as:

• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oregano
• Parsley

You can also add other herbs and spices of your choice, such as onion powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika. Mix the spices together in a small bowl and set aside.

Coating the Chicken

Drizzle or toss the chicken breasts with olive oil or avocado oil to ensure the seasonings adhere well. Then, sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. You can use your hands to rub the spices into the chicken.

Brining (Optional)

Brining is an optional step but can help keep the chicken moist and enhance its flavour. It involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt on the meat). If you choose to brine, allow at least 30 minutes for this process.

Cooking

Once your chicken breasts are seasoned and prepared, they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer. For cooking instructions and timings, please refer to the previous answer.

How long to fry chicken breast in the air fryer

Frying chicken breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender piece of meat. The length of time it takes to fry chicken breast in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breast and the temperature of the air fryer.

Air Fryer Temperature

Firstly, it is important to note that the temperature of the air fryer will impact the cooking time. Most sources recommend setting the air fryer to between 360-400°F, however, one source recommends 415°F.

Chicken Breast Size

The weight of the chicken breast will determine how long it needs to be cooked for. Here is a general guide:

• Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 6 to 10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 7 to 12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 10 to 16 minutes

Step-by-Step Guide

• Prepare the chicken breast by trimming any fat and patting it dry with a paper towel.
• Rub olive oil on the chicken breast to help the seasoning stick.
• Mix your chosen spices and seasonings in a small bowl.
• Generously coat the chicken breast with the seasoning mix, ensuring it is evenly covered.
• Place the chicken breast in the air fryer basket and cook for the recommended time based on its weight (see above).
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken breast has reached 165°F. If not, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Remove the chicken breast from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• Create space between multiple chicken breasts in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Flip the chicken breast halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• Always use room temperature chicken to ensure accurate and consistent cooking times.
• Do not line the air fryer basket with parchment paper as this can affect the taste and evenness of the cooking.
• Check the temperature of the chicken breast early to avoid overcooking.
• Allow the chicken breast to rest for a few minutes before cutting into it, to allow the juices to be reabsorbed.

How to prep chicken breast for the air fryer

Choose the right chicken breasts

Air fryer chicken breast recipes typically call for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The ideal weight for each breast is around 7 ounces, but you can also get away with breasts ranging from 5 to 11 ounces or more. If you're using frozen chicken breasts, make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry any excess moisture before seasoning.

Prepare the chicken breasts for cooking

Before cooking, trim any excess fat or tendons from the chicken breasts. Then, use a rolling pin or meat tenderizer to gently pound the thicker side of each breast until it is an even thickness from one end to the other (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick). This step helps ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and prevents overcooking.

Season the chicken breasts

You can season your chicken breasts in a variety of ways, depending on your preference. Here are some popular options:

• Olive oil: Coating the chicken breasts in olive oil helps the seasoning adhere and gives them a nice golden brown color.
• Salt and pepper: Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spices: Try smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also use pre-made blends like McCormick Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning or Creole Seasoning.
• Dry brine: Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and let them rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day before cooking. This step is optional but helps improve the texture and flavor of the meat.

Cook the chicken breasts in the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically between 360-400°F. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them to ensure even cooking. Cook for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts.

Rest and serve the chicken breasts

Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the juices redistribute and prevents the meat from drying out. Enjoy your juicy, tender air fryer chicken breasts!

What temperature to fry chicken breast in the air fryer

The ideal temperature to fry chicken breast in the air fryer is 375 °F. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 400 °F or even 415 °F for a crispier finish.

Small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 7-10 minutes. Medium breasts (8-10 ounces) will take 10-12 minutes. Large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12-16 minutes.

At 400 °F, small chicken breasts will take 6-8 minutes, medium breasts will take 7-10 minutes, and large breasts will take 10-14 minutes.

At 415 °F, thinly sliced chicken breasts will take 10 minutes. If you have larger pieces of chicken, you may need to cook for up to 13 minutes.

Tips for Frying Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
• Flip the chicken halfway through so that both sides cook evenly.
• Use room temperature chicken for accurate and consistent cooking times.
• Don't line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can affect the taste and evenness of the cooking.
• Check the temperature of the chicken early to avoid overcooking.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to reabsorb.

Spices and Seasonings

You can use a variety of spices and seasonings to flavour your chicken. Here are some suggestions:

• Smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder
• Paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper
• Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
• Steak seasoning, paprika, and black pepper
• Brown sugar, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper

How to serve air-fried chicken breast

There are many ways to serve air-fried chicken breast. Here are some ideas:

Salads

You can add the chicken to your favourite salad recipe, such as a spinach strawberry salad or a roasted peanut kale salad.

Wraps and Sandwiches

Air-fried chicken breast can be used to make sandwiches or wraps, such as a chicken Caesar wrap or an avocado grilled cheese sandwich with herbed goat cheese and garlic.

Pasta

Add some extra protein to a veggie pasta dish, such as Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter.

Pizza

Use the chicken to make a scrumptious buffalo chicken pizza.

Stir Fry

Vegetable Lo Mein would be delicious with some air fryer chicken.

Sides

Serve the chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots, asparagus and mushrooms, or Middle Eastern Batata Harra.

Frequently asked questions