Air-Fried Chicken Grillers: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken grillers are a tasty and juicy dish that can be made in an air fryer. The dish is easy to make and requires just a handful of ingredients. The chicken is wrapped in bacon and seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, and other spices. The air fryer ensures the chicken is cooked evenly and efficiently, resulting in a flavorful and juicy dish. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer, so it is recommended to test the recipe beforehand.

How to cook chicken grillers in an air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your chicken grillers are cooked evenly and efficiently. By preheating your air fryer to 400°F, you create the ideal temperature for browning the bacon wrapping and sealing in the juices of the chicken. This step also helps to ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly, achieving the recommended internal temperature for safe consumption.

To preheat your air fryer to 400°F, start by checking your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions. Different models may have unique features or settings that you can utilise. Generally, you can preheat your air fryer by simply turning it on and setting it to 400°F. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes before adding your chicken grillers.

While preheating, you can also prepare your air fryer basket or rack. It is recommended to coat it with a non-stick cooking spray or brush it with olive oil. This step helps prevent the bacon from sticking to the surface and makes cleaning up easier. If you prefer, you can also line the basket with parchment paper to achieve the same result.

During the preheating process, you can also assemble your chicken grillers. Wrap each chicken breast with two pieces of bacon, securing the ends neatly. You can use toothpicks to hold the bacon in place, but remember to remove them before serving. Seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, paprika, or other spices of your choice can also be done during this time.

Once your air fryer has preheated to 400°F, you can proceed to the next step of placing your chicken grillers inside and adjusting the temperature and time according to your recipe. Remember that air fryers can vary in terms of cooking power, so you may need to adjust the timing slightly based on your specific model and the number of chicken grillers you are cooking.

Season the chicken

Seasoning your chicken is a crucial step in the cooking process, and it's an excellent opportunity to add flavour and moisture to your dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to seasoning your chicken grillers to perfection before air frying:

Prepare the Chicken:

Start by ensuring your chicken is clean and dry. Pat the chicken breasts with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is essential for even cooking and to ensure the seasonings adhere well to the surface.

Choose Your Seasonings:

For a classic approach, you can't go wrong with salt and black pepper. These simple seasonings enhance the natural flavour of the chicken without overpowering it. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt and pepper over the chicken breasts, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your taste preferences.

Add Extra Flavour (Optional):

If you want to take your chicken grillers to the next level, consider adding additional seasonings or spices. Some popular options include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs (such as thyme or rosemary), or a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat. Mix and match these seasonings to create your unique blend, or opt for a pre-made seasoning mix designed for chicken.

Rub the Seasonings:

Once you've selected your seasonings, it's time to rub them into the chicken. Using your hands, gently rub the seasonings into both sides of the chicken breasts. Ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed and work them into the meat with a gentle massage. This step ensures that every bite of your chicken grillers will be packed with flavour.

Let it Rest:

After seasoning, let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. You can cover the seasoned chicken breasts loosely with plastic wrap or place them in a container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This step is optional but allows the flavours to develop even further.

Now that your chicken is seasoned to perfection, it's ready to be wrapped in bacon and air-fried!

Wrap chicken in bacon

Wrapping chicken in bacon is a simple and delicious way to elevate your dinner. The salty, smoky flavour of the bacon pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken, and the method is versatile: you can serve the chicken as a main course, slice it up for salads, or use it as a sandwich filling.

To make bacon-wrapped chicken in an air fryer, you will need the following:

• Chicken breasts boneless and skinless
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Sweet paprika

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray. Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help your seasonings to stick to the chicken.

Next, combine your seasonings (salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sweet paprika) in a small bowl. Add olive oil to the chicken breasts and rub it all over, then sprinkle them generously with the seasoning mixture.

Now it's time to wrap the chicken. Take 2-3 slices of bacon and wrap them around each chicken breast, trying to keep the ends of the bacon underneath the chicken to prevent them from unwrapping during cooking. Secure the bacon with toothpicks if needed, but remember to remove them before serving.

Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then turn down the temperature to 370°F (187°C) for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is juicy. Bacon-wrapped chicken can be served with a variety of sides, such as roasted broccoli, mashed potatoes, or baked potatoes with a sour cream sauce.

Thin slices of bacon work best for wrapping chicken as they cook more evenly in the air fryer and crisp up nicely without overcooking the chicken. It is not recommended to use frozen chicken for this recipe; always thaw the chicken completely before wrapping it in bacon and cooking it in the air fryer.

Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes on each side

Cooking chicken grillers in an air fryer is a straightforward process. After seasoning the chicken and wrapping it in bacon, it's time to air fry! Set your air fryer to 380°F and place the chicken inside. You'll want to cook the chicken for about 6 minutes on each side. This timing will ensure that the chicken is cooked through and that the bacon is crispy and browned.

It's important to note that all air fryers are different and may cook at varying powers. As such, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your chicken grillers during the cooking process. You may find that you need to adjust the timing, depending on how your air fryer cooks.

While the chicken is cooking, you can use the time to prepare a salad or any other sides you want to serve with your meal. A salad with mixed greens, spinach, or romaine, along with toppings like avocado, tomatoes, shallots, and cucumbers, is a great option to pair with the chicken.

Once the chicken has been in the air fryer for about 6 minutes, carefully flip it over to ensure even cooking on both sides. Then, let it cook for another 6 minutes. After this, your chicken grillers should be cooked to perfection!

Remember, for the best results, always ensure your chicken is completely thawed and brought to room temperature before cooking. This will ensure even cooking throughout.

Increase temperature to 400°F for 1 minute

So, you've got your chicken grillers in the air fryer and they're cooking nicely. You've followed the steps: preheating the air fryer, preparing the basket, seasoning the chicken, and wrapping that chicken in bacon. Now, it's time to finish things off.

You'll want to increase the temperature to 400°F for the final minute of cooking. This step is important as it helps to brown the bacon, giving it that crispy texture and mouthwatering flavor. No one wants soggy bacon! By increasing the temperature, you're ensuring the bacon gets that perfect, golden finish.

It's important to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the chicken. You're aiming for it to reach 160°F, which is the safe internal temperature for cooked chicken. If it hasn't reached this temperature yet, leave it for a little longer, checking every minute or so, until it does.

Once the chicken has hit that magic number of 160°F, go ahead and turn up the heat to 400°F. Keep it at this temperature for just one minute. This will give you that perfect bacon crispness without overcooking the chicken inside.

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