Emilie Meyer
Cooking chicken breast chunks in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare chicken. It's a versatile dish that can be used in salads, wraps, rice bowls, and tacos. The air fryer's convection heat means you can cook chicken at a lower temperature than you would in an oven, and it's also a great way to get crispy chicken without the need for lots of oil. You can use a variety of seasonings and spices to flavour the chicken, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, or even a marinade. The key to juicy chicken is to not overcook it, and to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
How to Cook Chicken Breast Chunks in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken preparation | Cut chicken into 1-1.5 inch chunks |
| Chicken type | Boneless, skinless chicken breast |
| Chicken seasoning | Salt, cornstarch, avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, Italian dressing, adobo seasoning, dried Italian herbs, kosher salt, sazon, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, poultry seasoning, dried parsley flakes, granulated sugar, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning |
| Air fryer preparation | Spray the air fryer basket with oil |
| Air fryer temperature | 375-400°F |
| Air fryer duration | 7-13 minutes |
| Notes | Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation and seasoning
Chicken breast chunks are a great option for a quick, healthy, and tasty meal. They can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, wraps, sandwiches, pasta, tacos, and rice bowls.
To prepare the chicken, start by cutting it into 1-1.5 inch bite-sized pieces. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cut into uniform pieces for even cooking. If you are using frozen chicken, it is recommended to thaw it before coating it with spices and cooking it in the air fryer.
Once the chicken is cut into pieces, combine it with your choice of oil and spices in a large bowl. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral-flavored high-heat oil. For the spices, you can experiment with different combinations such as Italian dressing, adobo seasoning, and dried Italian herbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes. You can also try a dry brine by sprinkling the meat with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This helps to season the meat thoroughly and keep it moist.
After the chicken is coated with oil and spices, place the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure good airflow and even cooking. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer, and cook the chicken for 7-11 minutes at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Air fryer settings and cooking time
The cooking time and temperature settings for your air fryer will depend on the size of your chicken chunks and the type of air fryer you have.
If you are using an air fryer that has a preheat setting, you can use that to preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can manually preheat it to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
Once preheated, you can add your chicken chunks to the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the chicken pieces are in a single layer and not overcrowding the basket. This helps ensure even cooking and browning. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
For chicken chunks that are 1 to 1.5 inches in size, cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken chunks after 7 minutes to ensure even cooking.
If you prefer your chicken to be more well-done, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes. However, it is important not to overcook the chicken, as this can lead to dryness. The ideal internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155 to 160 degrees, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
If you are using thicker, un-sliced chicken breasts, you will need to increase the temperature and cooking time. Air fry at 415 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 13 minutes, checking the temperature to confirm doneness.
You can also adjust the cooking time based on your preferred level of crispiness. For slightly crispy chicken, air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.
It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your chicken while it is cooking and adjust the time as needed.
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Chicken breast alternatives
If you're looking for an alternative to chicken breasts, you can try using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins. These alternatives will require some adjustments to timing and temperature to ensure they are cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F to be considered safe for consumption.
For those who enjoy the darker meat of chicken thighs but want the crispy exterior and juicy interior of chicken breast prepared in an air fryer, this alternative is worth exploring. It is important to note that chicken thighs may take longer to cook than chicken breast chunks, so adjust your timing accordingly.
Additionally, you can experiment with different seasonings to enhance the flavor of your chicken. For a spicy kick, include red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, dried thyme, or dried parsley flakes. Smoked paprika can add a unique touch, but regular paprika or even a chicken wing rub can be used as substitutes. Don't forget to add a bit of granulated sugar to balance out the spices and give your chicken a nice char.
Brining, either with a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt on the meat), is another great way to ensure your chicken alternatives stay juicy and flavorful. Even just 30 minutes of brining can make a significant difference in moisture and taste.
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Chicken chunk serving suggestions
Chicken chunks cooked in an air fryer are incredibly versatile. You can serve them as a quick, high-protein dinner, or use them for meal prep for the week. They can be served on a cutting board with dips, or in rice bowls, salads, soups, or tacos. For a simple side, try a green salad, air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans. If you're serving the chicken on a salad, try a roasted peanut kale salad or avocado kale Caesar with sweet potato fries.
If you're looking for something more substantial, this chicken goes great with pasta—try creamy kale pasta, mushroom gnocchi, or paprika chicken pasta. It's also delicious with green rice and creamy corn. For a mindless chicken taco night, serve the chicken chunks in tortillas with your favorite toppings and sides.
If you're not a fan of spice, simply leave out the red pepper flakes and cut back on the Cajun seasoning. You can also substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins, but be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.
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Chicken chunk reheating instructions
If you have leftover chicken chunks, you can easily reheat them in your air fryer. It is important to note that you should not increase the temperature above 375°F (190°C) as this can make the chicken tough.
Firstly, take the chicken out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you plan to start reheating it. This will ensure that the chicken is not too cold when it goes into the air fryer. Then, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C). Once preheated, place the chicken chunks in the air fryer basket in a single layer and heat for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
You can also reheat chicken chunks in the oven. To do this, place the cooked chicken in a sealed foil packet with a splash of water or chicken stock. Put the packet in an oven preheated to a low temperature (around 250°F-300°F or 121°C-148°C) and heat until warmed through. Alternatively, you can add a tablespoon of butter to a large skillet and heat the chicken over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook chicken breast chunks at 375F for 10 minutes.
Cut the chicken into 1-1.5 inch chunks. Combine the chicken with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, dried paprika and dried thyme in a large bowl. Stir the chicken well to ensure it’s well coated.
The chicken breast chunks are done when an internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
