Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, with many recipes to choose from. You can cook chicken breasts, wings, thighs, and drumsticks in an air fryer, and even make dishes such as chicken Alfredo or chicken tacos. The key to juicy chicken is to not overcook it, and to brine it beforehand. You can also lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness to reduce baking time and ensure even cooking. For crispy chicken, preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 360°F - 425°F (182°C - 218°C) |
| Cooking Time | 8 - 20 minutes |
| Chicken Type | Breasts, Thighs, Wings, Legs, Drumsticks |
| Chicken Preparation | Brining, Marinating, Breading, Pounding, Seasoning |
| Oil | Avocado Oil, Olive Oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Ranch Powder, Brown Sugar, Cornstarch |
| Sides | Salads, Rice Bowls, Pasta, Fries, Vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken breast preparation
Chicken breast is a versatile dish that can be added to salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare chicken breast in an air fryer.
Brining:
Brining is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken breast is juicy and well-seasoned. It involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt on the meat). For dry brining, sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the chicken and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. During this time, the chicken absorbs the salt, resulting in better seasoning.
Slicing:
For even cooking and maximum juiciness, slice the chicken breasts into thinner, smaller, flat pieces. This increases the surface area for the spices to coat and ensures more consistent cooking throughout the meat.
Seasoning:
Create a seasoning blend by mixing spices like salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, or cayenne pepper in a small bowl. You can also add brown sugar and cornstarch for a sweet and savoury flavour. Drizzle oil over the chicken—you can use avocado oil, olive oil, or any neutral-flavoured high-heat oil. Ensure the chicken is well-coated by tossing the pieces in the oil and spice mixture.
Cooking:
Preheat your air fryer, especially if you want a crispier exterior. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer with good airflow around them. Cook the chicken with the smooth side down at 375°F (190°C) for 6-7 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2-8 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. For larger breasts, cook for a total of 11-14 minutes.
Checking for Doneness:
Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F (74°C), but you can remove it from the air fryer at 160°F (71°C) as the temperature will continue to rise while resting.
Serving:
Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. You can serve it with sides like a green salad, air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans. It also goes well in rice bowls, salads, or tacos.
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Marinades and seasonings
A simple garlic marinade can be made by mixing olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub the chicken breasts with this mixture and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. You can also add brown sugar and cornstarch to this mixture for a crispier texture.
For a zesty option, try a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, dried sage, and black pepper. Spike Seasoning can also be added to this mixture. Make shallow cuts in the chicken to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat, then leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
If you're after a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend. For a simple, healthy, and sugar-free option, try a marinade of lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and freshly chopped herbs. You can also add minced garlic, chilli powder, onion powder, or cumin to this mixture.
Brining is another technique to add flavour and moisture to your chicken. This involves salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for chicken in an air fryer depend on the cut of chicken and whether it is boneless or not. For example, chicken wings are cooked for 18 minutes at 200C/400F, while chicken legs or thighs are cooked for 20 minutes at the same temperature. Chicken thigh fillets are cooked for 14-15 minutes at 200C/400F.
Boneless chicken breasts can be cooked at 390F and checked after 13 minutes. Thinner, smaller, flat pieces of chicken breast are recommended for more even cooking and a juicier result. These can be cooked for 10 to 14 minutes at 375F, with the smooth side down for the first 7 minutes, and then flipped for the remaining time. If the chicken is un-sliced, it can be cooked at 415F for a minimum of 13 minutes.
Chicken is considered cooked at 165F, but some people recommend removing it at 155F-160F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the temperature.
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Chicken thighs and wings
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. They are a darker meat, so they are naturally more flavorful and juicy, and don't need many seasonings or a long marinating time.
Ingredients and Seasonings
You will need:
- Chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on are recommended for juicier meat and crispier skin, but boneless and skinless options are also available)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- Oregano or dried herbs, such as herbs de Provence
- Lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and then rub or spray them with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Mix your chosen seasonings in a small bowl and then sprinkle and rub them over the chicken pieces. Try to get a little seasoning under the skin for maximum flavor.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer, skin side down, and air fry for 12 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs and cook for an additional 7-15 minutes, depending on whether they are boneless or bone-in. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a popular choice for air fryer recipes as they are quick, easy, and yield crispy and juicy results.
Ingredients and Seasonings
You will need:
- Chicken wings (preferably free-run or organic)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt
- White pepper
- Baking powder
- Neutral oil or butter (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Melted butter (optional)
- Store-bought buffalo sauce (optional)
- Chopped parsley (optional)
- Ranch dressing (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a bowl, mix the wings with your chosen seasonings and oil until the wings are evenly coated.
- Let the wings rest for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
- Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
- Cook the wings for 10 minutes, and then increase the temperature and cook until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If desired, toss the wings in hot sauce, or hot sauce and melted butter, or store-bought buffalo sauce.
- Enjoy the wings as is or with a side of ranch dressing and chopped parsley.
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Sides and serving suggestions
There are many different side dishes and serving suggestions that go well with air-fried chicken. Here are some ideas:
Vegetables
You can serve air-fried chicken with a variety of vegetables, including:
- Green beans: You can air fry, steam, or sauté them with bacon and garlic.
- Avocado Caesar green beans
- Squash or zucchini: Slice and bake with cheese.
- Air fryer broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
- Corn on the cob
Salads
Salads are a great way to balance out the fried chicken. Some salad options include:
- Simple green salad
- Roasted peanut kale salad
- Avocado kale Caesar salad
- Make-ahead salad: Prepare this salad in advance so that it is ready to serve with the fried chicken.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates like potatoes and bread are classic side dishes that go well with fried chicken:
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked potatoes: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. You can add toppings to make a loaded baked potato, or simply add butter.
- Sweet potato fries
- Cornbread: You can make it honey cornbread, add jalapenos for spice, or use buttermilk for a moist and tender cornbread.
- Macaroni and cheese: Try adding fresh rosemary for an extra boost of flavor.
Other sides
Some other side dish options include:
- Fried okra
- Fried hush puppies
- Coleslaw
- Taco Bell nacho fries
- Rice bowls
- Pasta: Try creamy kale pasta, mushroom gnocchi, or paprika chicken pasta.
- Tacos: Slice the air-fried chicken and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Spices and seasonings
You can also enhance the flavor of your air-fried chicken by using different spices and seasonings:
- Salt and pepper
- Italian seasonings
- Cayenne pepper
- Ranch powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
Additionally, you can brine the chicken before cooking by salting the meat and letting it rest, or marinate it by coating it with olive oil and a spice mixture.
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Frequently asked questions
The temperature depends on the type of chicken you are cooking. For boneless chicken breasts, cook at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. For chicken thighs, cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit. For chicken wings, cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cooking time depends on the type of chicken you are cooking and the temperature of your air fryer. For boneless chicken breasts, cook for 9-14 minutes. For chicken thighs, cook for 14-20 minutes. For chicken wings, cook for 18 minutes.
To get juicy chicken, lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking. You can also brine the chicken before cooking by salting the meat and letting it rest.
Some good side dishes to serve with air fryer chicken include a simple green salad, air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans.
