Cody Casey
Cooking boneless skinless chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare juicy and tender chicken. The air fryer uses convection heat to cook the chicken, which means you don't need to set it as high as you would an oven. There are several ways to prepare the chicken before air frying, including marinating, brining, coating with oil and spices, or simply seasoning with salt and pepper. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but on average, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to cook boneless skinless chicken in an air fryer.
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What You'll Learn
How to cut the chicken
To cook boneless skinless chicken in an air fryer, you'll want to cut the chicken into thin, flat pieces. This will ensure more even cooking, juicier chicken, and more flavourful coating.
To cut the chicken, place the boneless, skinless chicken breast on a cutting board, with the tender removed. Hold the chicken flat with the palm of your non-knife hand. Using a sharp chef's, boning, or filleting knife, slice the chicken breast horizontally into two even pieces. Try to do this in as few strokes as possible so that the meat looks smooth. It is best to position the chicken close to the edge of the cutting board so that the knife hand's knuckles do not bump against it. Keep the fingers of the supporting hand raised and out of the knife's path.
If you are cutting multiple chicken breasts, you will want to cut each breast into thin, flat pieces. This is not bite-sized, but rather a thin chicken breast. For example, if a one-pound package gives you two chicken breasts, you will cut each breast into 3-4 thin pieces.
You can then sandwich the chicken breast slices between sheets of paper or plastic. Parchment paper works, but waxed paper is better as the chicken sticks less to it.
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How to season the chicken
To season the chicken, you can use a variety of spices, herbs, and oils. Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken breasts dry if they have a lot of moisture on them. You can then use a dry brine by sprinkling salt on the meat and letting it rest for 30 minutes. This will help the chicken stay moist and enhance the flavour.
Next, you can coat the chicken with oil. Olive oil is a popular choice, as it helps the outside of the chicken get crispy while it air fries. Avocado oil is another option. You can then season the chicken with a variety of spices. This could include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also add a bit of brown sugar to the spice blend for sweetness. If you want to add a kick of heat, Tajin is a good option. Alternatively, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper.
Make sure to coat the chicken well with the spices, rubbing them into both sides of the chicken with your hands. You can also add some cornstarch to the mix, which will help create a crispy texture.
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How long to cook the chicken for
The cooking time for boneless skinless chicken in an air fryer varies depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the temperature of the air fryer. It is important to note that chicken is considered cooked at 165 °F.
For example, if you are cooking at 375 °F (190 °C), you should cook the chicken for 7 minutes on one side, flip it over, and then cook for an additional 3 minutes or more for larger chicken breasts. You can also check the internal temperature of the chicken with a thermometer to ensure it has reached 165 °F. If it hasn't, you can cook the chicken for another 1-2 minutes.
If you are cooking at 360 °F, you can cook the chicken for 9 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F.
Some recipes suggest cooking the chicken for 4 minutes on each side, for a total of 8 minutes, but this may result in dry chicken. To avoid this, it is recommended to pound the chicken lightly to flatten it before cooking, which will result in a juicier outcome.
Additionally, the size and thickness of the chicken breasts can impact the cooking time. It is recommended to cut the chicken breasts into thinner, smaller, flat pieces for more even cooking and to ensure the chicken is juicy.
Brining or marinating the chicken before cooking can also add to the overall cooking time but will result in juicier and more flavorful chicken.
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What temperature to cook the chicken at
The temperature you cook your chicken at will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and how crispy you want them to be. It is recommended that you cook chicken breasts for less time at a higher temperature to avoid drying them out.
One source recommends cooking chicken breasts for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C), flipping the chicken over, and then cooking for an additional 3 minutes. Another source recommends cooking chicken breasts at 360°F for 9 minutes on each side. A third source recommends cooking chicken breasts at 400°F for 4 minutes on each side.
It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Larger chicken breasts may require a higher temperature or longer cooking time. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is cooked to the appropriate temperature. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, you can remove it from the heat at 155-160°F (68-71°C) as the temperature will continue to rise while it rests.
To ensure your chicken cooks evenly, it is important to flip it halfway through the cooking process. Additionally, you can lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking to promote even cooking and juicier meat.
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What to serve the chicken with
There are many options for what to serve with boneless skinless chicken cooked in an air fryer. The versatility of the dish means it can be served hot or cold and added to salads, wraps, sandwiches, bowls, soups, or tacos.
For a simple option, serve the chicken with a simple green salad, such as a spinach and strawberry salad, or roasted peanut kale salad. For a heartier meal, serve the chicken with pasta, such as creamy kale pasta, mushroom gnocchi, or paprika chicken pasta. If you're looking for a more unique flavor combination, try serving the chicken with green rice and creamy corn.
For a more substantial meal, serve the chicken with a side of air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans. If you're looking for a crispy side dish, air fryer French fries or sweet potato fries are a great option.
If you're looking for a sauce to accompany the chicken, a gochujang sauce or dip is a great option.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 13 minutes to cook boneless skinless chicken in an air fryer. Place the chicken breasts inside the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Then, flip the chicken breasts and cook for 6 more minutes.
Set the air fryer to 360-375°F (190°C).
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer to check.
Cut the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. Then, coat the chicken with oil and your desired spices. You can use a variety of spices like Mexican, BBQ, Indian, smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder.
Yes, brining or marinating the chicken can help lock in moisture and enhance its flavour. However, some recipes recommend skipping this step.
