Air Fryer Chicken: Reheating Time And Tips

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts to perfection. The key to juicy chicken is to brine or marinate the meat before cooking. You can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). Brining the chicken for at least 30 minutes can make a huge difference in the texture and taste of the meat.

When it comes to seasoning, you can use a variety of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper. You can also add a bit of olive oil to the chicken before seasoning to ensure the spices stick to the meat.

The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and the model of your air fryer. Small chicken breasts (around 5-7 ounces) will take around 7 to 12 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 ounces) will take 10 to 15 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12 to 20 minutes. It is recommended to cook chicken breasts to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air fryer chicken breasts are a quick, easy, and healthy option for a delicious meal. They can be served as-is or chopped up for salads, soups, sandwiches, or wraps.

How long to cook chicken in an air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Chicken breasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Small Chicken Breasts (5 to 7 ounces)

Small chicken breasts weighing between 5 and 7 ounces will take between 7 and 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Medium Chicken Breasts (8 to 10 ounces)

Medium-sized chicken breasts weighing between 8 and 10 ounces will take between 10 and 12 minutes to cook.

Large Chicken Breasts (11 ounces or more)

Larger chicken breasts weighing 11 ounces or more will take between 12 and 16 minutes to cook.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your chicken while it is cooking to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Brining or marinating the chicken before cooking can add moisture and flavour.
• Pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between the chicken breasts to allow for proper air circulation.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.

Air fryer chicken breast recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Marinade

Method:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken into an even thickness.
• To dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and leave in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 day.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you did not dry brine the chicken, add the salt now.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top and toss to coat the chicken, ensuring the spices are rubbed evenly over both sides.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (this should take around 3 minutes).
• Place the chicken presentation side (smooth side) down in the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
• Remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken over with tongs. Continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 155°F to 160°F. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer model.
• Remove the chicken to a plate, cover, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

Tips:

• Brining the chicken will improve its texture and flavour. It will be juicier, plumper, and more evenly seasoned.
• Avoid overcooking the chicken, as this will dry it out.
• If you prefer crispier chicken, try breading it before placing it in the air fryer.
• You can use frozen chicken breast in the air fryer, but the results may not be as juicy. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F, drizzle the chicken with olive oil, season as desired, and air fry for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once.

How to make juicy chicken in the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Your choice of seasonings (e.g. paprika, thyme, cumin, cayenne pepper)

Method

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness.
• Optional: To dry brine, sprinkle salt all over the chicken and place in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together your chosen seasonings.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat, ensuring the spices are rubbed evenly over both sides.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Place the chicken smooth side down in the air fryer and cook for 6-7 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 2-8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The internal temperature should reach 155-160°F (68-71°C). The chicken will continue to cook after you remove it from the air fryer, so it is best not to overcook it.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• Brining or marinating the chicken beforehand can help to keep it juicy and add flavour.
• Ensure the chicken is at room temperature before cooking, and pat dry any excess water/moisture if using frozen chicken.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—leave space for air to circulate.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after removing from the air fryer to keep it juicy.

Air fryer chicken breast cooking time

The air fryer is a countertop convection oven that cooks food by blowing hot air down and around it. It is a great way to cook chicken breast as it can make the outside crispy and golden brown while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

How Long to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer

The cooking time for chicken breast in an air fryer will depend on the size of the breasts. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is a general guide for cooking times:

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

It is recommended to flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Brining the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking can help keep it juicy. Brining can be done by either using a saltwater solution or simply sprinkling the meat with salt (dry brining).
• Do not overcook the chicken breast as this can lead to dryness.
• An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the doneness of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and let it rest for a few minutes. The carryover cooking will bring it to the final safe temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For frozen chicken breast, preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, season as desired, and air fry for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• To get a crispy exterior on the chicken, preheat the air fryer. However, this is not necessary if you are just looking for a juicy chicken breast.
• For thin, flat pieces of chicken, cook at 415 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

Seasoning Ideas for Chicken Breast

• Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper
• Paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper
• Homemade seasoned salt (blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika)
• Taco seasoning
• Italian dressing

How to reheat chicken in an air fryer

Reheating chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by removing the chicken from the refrigerator and letting it come to room temperature. This will help ensure that the chicken reheats evenly. If your chicken is frozen, be sure to thaw it completely before proceeding.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most air fryers have preheat settings, but if yours does not, simply turn it on and allow it to heat up for a few minutes. A temperature of around 350°F to 375°F is ideal for reheating chicken.

Step 3: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between the pieces to allow for proper air circulation. If you are reheating a large amount of chicken, you may need to do this in batches.

Step 4: Reheat the Chicken

Cook the chicken for 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. For smaller pieces, such as chicken tenders or nuggets, 4 to 6 minutes should be sufficient. For larger pieces, such as chicken breasts or thighs, aim for 6 to 8 minutes. Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.

Step 5: Check the Temperature

To ensure that your chicken is safely reheated, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If it has not reached this temperature, continue cooking in the air fryer in 1-minute intervals until it does.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once the chicken has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This will help the juices redistribute and result in a more juicy and flavorful final product. Then, serve the chicken with your choice of sides and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure the chicken is safely reheated.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Frequently asked questions