Air Fryer Chicken: How Much Can You Cook?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, with many people saying they prefer it to cooking chicken in an oven. The air fryer's convection heat means that you can cook chicken at a lower temperature than you would in an oven, and it also cooks the chicken more quickly. It's also more energy-efficient than an oven, as you don't have to heat up the whole oven to cook a batch of chicken.

The key to cooking chicken in an air fryer is to not overcook it. Many people recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F. You can also take the chicken out of the air fryer when it reaches 155°F and let it rest, as the temperature will continue to rise a few degrees while it rests.

There are lots of different ways to season chicken in an air fryer, and you can also brine the chicken before cooking it to keep it juicy and add flavour.

How much chicken can you put in an air fryer at once?

The amount of chicken you can put in an air fryer at once depends on the size of your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces. It's important to not overcrowd the air fryer, as this can affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the chicken.

As a general rule, you should leave a bit of space between each piece of chicken to allow for good airflow and even cooking. If you are cooking a whole chicken, it's best to cook it breast side down first and then flip it over halfway through the cooking time.

For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, it is recommended to cut them into thin, flat pieces for more even cooking and to ensure they don't dry out. You can then cook them in a single layer in the air fryer, leaving some space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

For bone-in chicken pieces such as thighs, legs, or drumsticks, it's best to leave some space around each piece to ensure even cooking. Again, you may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side.

It's always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's instruction manual for specific guidelines on how much food you can cook at once and any recommended cooking times and temperatures.

How long does it take to cook chicken in an air fryer?

The cooking time for chicken in an air fryer depends on the size and type of chicken. Here is a general guide for cooking chicken in an air fryer:

Air Fryer Chicken Cooking Times:

• Whole chicken: 360°F for 30 minutes breast-side down, then flip and cook for another 12-22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Boneless chicken breast: 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
• Bone-in chicken breast: 400°F for 12 minutes.
• Boneless chicken thighs: 360°F for 5-6 minutes.
• Bone-in chicken thighs: 360°F for 7-8 minutes.
• Chicken drumsticks: 360°F for 12 minutes.
• Chicken leg quarters: 360°F for 12 minutes.
• Chicken wings: 360°F for 12 minutes.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it is cooked through. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 400°F before adding the chicken. Cooking chicken in an air fryer typically takes less time than cooking it in a regular oven, and it is important not to overcook the chicken to prevent dryness.

What are some good chicken seasonings for an air fryer?

There are many ways to season chicken for an air fryer, with many recipes suggesting a simple mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, or parsley, or spices like cumin, rosemary, or thyme.

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness.
• For a dry brine (optional): Sprinkle kosher salt all over the chicken and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (add salt now if you did not dry brine the chicken).
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or the air fryer's "chicken" setting if available).
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, presentation side (smooth side) down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs to find your favourite combinations!

What are some good chicken cuts for an air fryer?

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, and the air fryer is no exception. Here are some good chicken cuts to try in your air fryer:

Chicken Breasts

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for the air fryer. They cook quickly and evenly, and you can slice them into thinner pieces for even faster cooking and more surface area for seasoning. You can also leave them whole and pound them lightly to an even thickness. In terms of seasoning, a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper works well. You can also experiment with other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley, or try a spice blend like McCormick's Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning. The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts, but for a 7-ounce breast, 10 minutes in the air fryer at 375°F should be enough. If you're using frozen chicken breasts, be sure to defrost them in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours before cooking.

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are a classic choice for the air fryer. They come out crispy and juicy, and you can experiment with different sauces and seasonings to find your favorite. Cook wings at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you're using frozen wings, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are a great choice if you prefer dark meat. They stay juicy and tender in the air fryer and are hard to overcook. You can cook them with or without the bone, and with or without the skin. If you're cooking skin-on thighs, you'll get deliciously crispy skin. Thighs typically take around 20 minutes in the air fryer at 390°F.

Whole Chicken

If you're feeding a crowd or just want leftovers, you can even cook a whole chicken in your air fryer. It will come out with crispy skin and juicy meat. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and cook the chicken breast-side down for 30 minutes. Then, flip it over and cook for an additional 12 to 22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Chicken Tenders or Tenderloins

Chicken tenders or tenderloins are a convenient choice for the air fryer, as they cook quickly and evenly. You can season them with your favorite spice blend or bread them for an extra crispy texture. Cook tenders at 390°F for 13 to 15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

What temperature should you cook chicken at in an air fryer?

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, it's important to note that the temperature and timing will depend on the cut of chicken you are cooking.

For a whole chicken, you'll want to cook it at 360°F for 30 minutes breast-side down, then flip it and cook for another 12-22 minutes until the internal temperature is 165°F.

For chicken breasts, a temperature of 375°F is recommended. The timing will depend on the size of the breasts:

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

For chicken thighs, a temperature of 390°F is recommended for 15-20 minutes.

For chicken drumsticks, cook at 380°F for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for another 15 minutes.

For chicken wings, cook at 400°F for 18 minutes.

It's important to note that the timing may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so it's always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F. Some people prefer to remove the chicken from the air fryer at 155°F and let it rest, as the carryover cooking will bring it to the safe temperature of 165°F.

Frequently asked questions