Air-Fryer Grilled Chicken: Timing For Perfection

Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy, tender chicken breasts without the hassle of grilling. By circulating hot air around the food, air fryers can cook chicken in a short amount of time with minimal clean-up required. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 15-20 minutes to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer.

How to cook grilled chicken in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt and pepper or poultry seasoning
• Optional: rosemary, chili powder, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, lemon pepper, BBQ sauce, etc.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-390°F.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
• Place the chicken breasts in a plastic bag and pound with a rolling pin or meat mallet to ensure they are of an even thickness.
• Brush or spray the chicken breasts with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper or poultry seasoning. You can also try other seasonings like rosemary, chili powder, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, or lemon pepper.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the basket isn't overcrowded.
• Air fry the chicken breasts for 10 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• You can also use frozen chicken breasts. Just make sure they are fully thawed before cooking.
• If you want grill marks on your chicken, use a grill plate attachment in your air fryer.
• For juicy chicken, brine the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking.

How to cook frozen grilled chicken in an air fryer

Pre-prep

Before you get started, it's worth noting that some recipes recommend thawing your chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. If your chicken breasts are stuck together, you can separate them by submerging them in warm water for about five minutes.

Temperature

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.

Seasoning

You can season your chicken with a dry rub or a sauce. Here are some options for rubs:

• Salt and pepper
• Poultry seasoning
• Cayenne powder
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Honey soy marinade
• Olive oil with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika powder, and salt and pepper

Cooking time and technique

Place your seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Saucing

If you are using a sauce, brush it onto the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer grilled chicken can be served as is, or sliced up on a salad. It's also great for meal prep and can be added to stir-fries, soups, sandwiches, wraps, and more.

How long to grill chicken breast in an air fryer

Grilling chicken breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, juicy, and healthy meal on the table. It's also a versatile cooking method, as the chicken can be seasoned in many different ways and served with a variety of sides or in salads, sandwiches, and wraps.

How Long to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer

The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and the temperature of your air fryer. Most recipes recommend cooking the chicken for around 10 minutes on each side, or a total of 20 minutes, at a temperature of between 350°F and 390°F. However, it's important to note that air fryers can vary, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the chicken as it cooks and use a meat thermometer to check that it has reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F.

How to Grill Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F.
• Prepare the chicken breasts by trimming off any excess skin or fat, and pounding them to an even thickness.
• Make a seasoning mix of your choice. Popular seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil or another oil of your choice, and rub in the seasoning mix.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket.
• Cook the chicken for around 10 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving.

Tips and Variations

• You can use frozen chicken breasts, but it's best to thaw them first for more even cooking.
• For extra juicy chicken, try brining the chicken before cooking by sprinkling with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes.
• To get grill marks on your chicken, use a grill plate attachment in your air fryer.
• You can also cook other types of chicken in the air fryer, such as chicken thighs, tenders, or wings.
• Leftover grilled chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

How to serve grilled chicken

Grilled chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve grilled chicken:

As a Main Course

Grilled chicken can be served as a main course, accompanied by a variety of side dishes. Some side dish options include:

• Salads: Grilled chicken can be served with a variety of salads, such as a cucumber salad, a zucchini salad, a broccoli salad, or a Greek garbanzo bean salad.
• Grilled Vegetables: You can grill some vegetables like mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, asparagus, eggplant, or corn to serve alongside the grilled chicken.
• Potato Dishes: Cheesy grilled potato packets, grilled potato salad, or skillet fries are some potato-based sides that go well with grilled chicken.
• Other Sides: Other side dish options include grilled broccoli and radish salad, garlicky grilled kale salad, grilled watermelon, grilled eggplant with goat cheese and tomato, or a black bean and couscous salad.

In Meals and Sandwiches

Grilled chicken can be added to meals and sandwiches, such as:

• Rice Bowls: Grilled chicken can be served with rice, such as in chicken quinoa bowls or Greek chicken grain bowls.
• Sandwiches: Chicken Caesar baguettes, grilled chicken sandwiches, or melty, cheesy grilled chicken sandwiches are some sandwich options.
• Wraps: Grilled chicken can be sliced and served in a wrap.
• Salads: Grilled chicken can be added to a variety of salads, such as a quinoa chickpea salad or a chicken Caesar salad.
• Soups: Grilled chicken can be used in soups.
• Stir-Fry: Grilled chicken can be added to a stir-fry.
• Fajitas: You can make grilled chicken fajitas by marinating the chicken in lime zest, coriander, cumin, cayenne, and olive oil.

On Its Own

Grilled chicken can also be served on its own, as it is often juicy and tender, with a delicious flavour.

How to store and reheat grilled chicken

Storing grilled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge will keep it fresh for up to five days. It's important to let the chicken cool down completely before storing it in the refrigerator.

When you're ready to reheat your grilled chicken, the air fryer is the ideal appliance to use. It will retain the chicken's moisture and crispiness, which other reheating methods like the microwave can often compromise.

Here's a step-by-step guide to reheating your grilled chicken in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Heat your air fryer to 350-360°F (175-182°C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Brush your chicken pieces with a thin layer of olive oil or avocado oil. You can also add a little extra seasoning if desired.

Step 3: Place Chicken in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each piece for optimal airflow.

Step 4: Reheat the Chicken

Place the basket into the air fryer and reheat for 5-8 minutes. For larger pieces of chicken, this may take up to 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Turn the Chicken Pieces

After the initial heating phase, carefully turn the chicken pieces with tongs to ensure even cooking on all sides.

Step 6: Continue Reheating

Return the basket to the air fryer and continue reheating for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly warmed through.

Step 7: Check the Internal Temperature

Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This is an important food safety precaution.

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness:

• Preheat the air fryer to create an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure proper air circulation.
• Lightly coat the chicken with oil to enhance crispness.
• Monitor cooking time closely to prevent overcooking.
• If the chicken seems dry, add a small amount of liquid or sauce to the basket.

Storing Reheated Chicken:

If you have leftover reheated chicken, it's important to store it properly:

• Allow the chicken to cool down to room temperature for no more than 2 hours.
• Divide large batches into smaller portions.
• Use airtight containers or resealable plastic bags for storage.
• Label and date the containers with the contents and reheating date.
• Refrigerate the containers within 2 hours of reheating.

By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious and safely reheated grilled chicken with the perfect balance of moisture and crispiness!

Frequently asked questions