Ella Walter
Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a healthy meal. Air fryers use convection heat to blow hot air down and around the food to cook it, which means you don't need to set the temperature as high as you would with an oven. This method of cooking can be used to make juicy chicken breasts or thighs with a crispy texture.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken preparation | Slice chicken breasts into thinner, smaller flat pieces. Pound the chicken to an even thickness. |
| Chicken seasoning | Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, cornstarch, olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutral-flavored high-heat oil. |
| Air fryer preheating | Preheat the air fryer at 360-400°F (182-204°C) for 4 minutes. |
| Air fryer temperature | Set the air fryer at 375-415°F (190-213°C). |
| Air fryer cooking time | 9-14 minutes for boneless chicken breasts. 14-20 minutes for chicken thighs, legs, or wings. |
| Air fryer cooking technique | Place the chicken smooth side down in the air fryer. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. |
| Chicken doneness | Use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F (74°C). |
| Chicken resting | Let the chicken rest for 2-10 minutes after cooking. |
| Chicken serving | Serve with sides like salad, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potato fries. |
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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 breasts in an air fryer.
Brining:
Brining is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken breasts are 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 a wet brine, you can divide 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt evenly over each breast. If you prefer a dry brine, lightly sprinkle salt on the chicken and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
Slicing:
For even cooking and maximum juiciness, it is recommended to 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:
In a small bowl, mix your desired spices. You can use a blend of salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. If you want a sweeter flavour, you can add brown sugar and cornstarch to your spice blend. 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 with oil, then generously apply your spice blend to both sides of the chicken, rubbing it in with your hands.
Cooking:
Preheat your air fryer, especially if you want a crispier exterior. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer, ensuring good airflow around them. For 6-7-ounce chicken breasts, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 7 minutes smooth side down, then flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). For larger chicken breasts, cook for a few minutes more.
Serving:
Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. You can serve the chicken breasts with a simple green salad, air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans. Alternatively, slice and serve on a cutting board with dips, or add to rice bowls, salads, or sandwiches.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for chicken in an air fryer depend on the type and size of the chicken pieces. It is important to note that chicken is considered cooked at 165 °F (74 °C). However, it is recommended to remove the chicken from the fryer at 155-160 °F (71 °C) as the temperature will continue to rise while the chicken rests.
For boneless chicken breasts, it is recommended to cook at 375 °F (190 °C) for 7 minutes on the smooth side, then flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes or more for larger breasts. This will result in juicy chicken with a golden brown colour. If you prefer crispy chicken, you can preheat the air fryer and cook at the same temperature for 9 minutes on each side. For thinner chicken breasts, cooking for 6 minutes on the smooth side and 2-8 minutes on the other side at 375 °F (190 °C) will be sufficient.
For bone-in chicken thighs, cooking at 390 °F (200 °C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, will result in crispy skin. For boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time is reduced to 14-15 minutes at 200 °C/400 °F (71 °C).
If you are using thicker, un-sliced chicken breasts, it is recommended to air fry at 415 °F (213 °C) for a minimum of 13 minutes, checking the temperature to confirm doneness.
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Marinades and seasonings
First, you'll want to select your seasonings. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a great base, but you can also add Italian seasonings, ranch powder, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. You can also add brown sugar and cornstarch for a sweet and crispy coating. If you're using frozen chicken, be sure to thaw it before coating it with your chosen seasonings.
Once you've selected your seasonings, it's time to prepare the chicken. If you're using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pound them lightly to flatten the thicker side and ensure even cooking. You can also slice the chicken breasts into thinner, smaller flat pieces—this will give you more surface area to coat with your seasonings and help prevent overcooking.
Next, coat the chicken with your chosen oil. Avocado oil, olive oil, or any neutral-flavoured high-heat oil will work well. Brush or toss the chicken with the oil, ensuring that every piece is well-coated. Then, apply your seasoning blend, rubbing it into the chicken with your hands to ensure it's fully covered.
At this point, you can choose to let the chicken rest in the refrigerator or cook it right away. If you're in a hurry, simply place the chicken in the air fryer, smooth side down, and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
If you have time to let the chicken marinate, combine the chicken, oil, and seasoning blend in a bowl and stir until the chicken is fully coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for more intense flavour. When you're ready to cook, follow the same instructions as above, adjusting the cooking time as needed depending on the thickness of your chicken.
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Using frozen chicken
First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 400°F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, manually set it to the desired temperature for a few minutes. It is important to ensure that the basket is installed and heated as well.
Next, place the frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each breast. If your chicken breasts are stuck together, you can submerge the package in warm water for about 5 minutes to separate them.
At this point, you can choose to season your chicken. While some recipes recommend seasoning the chicken halfway through cooking, others suggest coating the frozen chicken breasts with olive oil and seasonings before cooking. A basic seasoning combination includes olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also experiment with different seasonings such as smoked paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper. If you are using a sauce like barbecue or teriyaki, it is best to wait until the chicken is almost done cooking to prevent the sauce from burning.
Cook the chicken for 20 to 35 minutes, depending on the thickness and size. For thicker pieces, you may need to cook for a longer time. Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.
Finally, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve air-fried frozen chicken with sides such as roasted vegetables, smashed red potatoes, or a green salad.
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Sides and serving suggestions
Air fryer chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and in a range of ways. Here are some ideas for sides and serving suggestions to accompany your air fryer chicken:
Salads
A simple green salad is a refreshing side dish to pair with your air fryer chicken. You can get creative with your salad ingredients; for example, a roasted peanut kale salad or an avocado kale caesar salad. If you want to add some fruit to your salad, a spinach and strawberry salad could be a tasty option.
Vegetables
There are several vegetable sides that go well with air fryer chicken. You could try air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans. For something a little different, try sous vide asparagus or instant pot risotto.
Starchy Sides
For a more filling option, consider serving your air fryer chicken with mashed potatoes or sweet potato fries. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, creamy corn could be a tasty choice.
Pasta and Rice
Air fryer chicken can also be served with pasta dishes such as creamy kale pasta, mushroom gnocchi, or paprika chicken pasta. Alternatively, you could try serving it with green rice for a colourful and flavourful dish.
Wraps and Tacos
If you're looking for a more casual dining option, air fryer chicken can be diced or shredded and served in wraps or tacos. Try serving it with Thai peanut wraps or your favourite taco fillings.
Sauces
Don't forget the sauce! Air fryer chicken can be served with a variety of sauces to enhance the flavour. Try a creamy mushroom sauce, white bbq sauce, or Peruvian creamy green sauce.
Storage and Reheating
If you have any leftover chicken, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the air fryer or oven at 300-350°F for 8-10 minutes until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook chicken in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 7 minutes on the smooth side, then flip it over and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
It takes 10 to 14 minutes to cook chicken in an air fryer, depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
To get juicy chicken, lightly pound the chicken to flatten the thicker side. Then, coat the chicken in some oil and cook for 10 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to get a crispier texture. You can also try brining the chicken before cooking.
Some good side dishes to serve with air-fried chicken include a simple green salad, air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans. You can also try air fryer lemon butter salmon with creamy potatoes.
