Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy, tender and flavourful chicken breasts in less than 20 minutes. The high-temperature baking and even cooking of the air fryer means you can achieve golden, crispy chicken without the need for lots of oil. This method is perfect for meal prep and can be used in salads, wraps, sandwiches and more.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air-Fried Boneless Chicken Breast
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken preparation | Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced |
| Chicken weight | 1 pound |
| Chicken quantity | 2 breasts |
| Chicken temperature | Thawed, room temperature |
| Chicken seasoning | Spices, brown sugar, cornstarch |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F |
| Air fryer timing | 13 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 165°F |
| Resting period | 5 minutes |
| Sides | Salads, wraps, sandwiches, pasta, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, baked potatoes |
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$9.97
What You'll Learn
Defrosting frozen chicken
While it is possible to cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer without defrosting them first, some people suggest that thawing the chicken beforehand creates the best texture. If you have the time, you can defrost frozen chicken by submerging the package in warm water for about 5 minutes. You can then season the chicken as desired and cook it in the air fryer.
If you don't have time to defrost the chicken, you can place it straight into the air fryer basket and cook it from frozen. It is recommended to leave a little space between each chicken breast and not overcrowd the basket. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the type of air fryer you are using, but it will typically take between 4 and 30 minutes. For example, one source recommends cooking at 390°F (200°C) for 5-25 minutes, depending on the cut of chicken. Another source suggests preheating the air fryer to 400°Fahrenheit and cooking the chicken for around 30 minutes.
It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly before serving. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C). If your chicken is cooked in under 30 minutes, you may need to check the temperature regularly after the 130°-140° mark, as the internal temperature can rise 10°-15° every 2-3 minutes.
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Preparing a brine
Brining is a process that injects flavour and moisture into the chicken, and tenderises it. It is a technique widely used by chefs and involves submerging the chicken in a salty liquid and letting it marinate.
To prepare a brine, you will need water and salt. The basic ratio of salt to water for a brine is 4 tablespoons of salt per 6 cups of water. You can also add other ingredients like soy sauce, olive oil, and sugar to promote browning and ensure the meat is moist and tender.
For boneless chicken breasts, you should brine for about two hours. If you are using frozen chicken, it is best to thaw it first before brining and then cooking it in the air fryer.
- Pour a gallon of warm water into a large container.
- Add 4 tablespoons of kosher salt, and stir until the salt has dissolved.
- Add other ingredients like soy sauce, olive oil, and sugar, and stir until everything is well combined.
- Let the brine cool to room temperature.
- Submerge the chicken in the brine and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse it before cooking.
Your chicken is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!
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Cutting and seasoning the chicken
To prepare your chicken for air frying, start by placing two chicken breasts on a cutting board. Cover them with plastic wrap or parchment paper, then use a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer to gently pound the thicker side of the chicken breast until it is an even thickness from one end to the other (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick). This step is important to ensure even cooking.
Next, cut each chicken breast into thin, flat pieces. The pieces should not be bite-sized, but rather resemble a thin chicken breast. For example, if you have two chicken breasts from a one-pound package, cut each breast into 3-4 thin pieces. Thin chicken not only cooks more evenly but is also essential for achieving that delicious, crispy texture.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel if they have a lot of moisture on them. This will help the seasoning adhere better to the chicken. Now it's time to season! In a small bowl, mix together your desired spices, such as smoked paprika, regular paprika, or Italian seasoning. You can also add a bit of brown sugar and cornstarch for a unique flavour profile. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken pieces in a bowl, or place the spices and chicken in a sealable bag and shake to coat. Make sure the entire surface of each chicken piece is evenly coated with the seasoning.
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Cooking the chicken
To cook fried boneless chicken breast in an air fryer, start by pounding the thicker end of the chicken to make both sides levelled out so they cook evenly. If you are using frozen chicken, let them defrost in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours before cooking. Then, let them come to room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before seasoning. Pat the chicken breasts dry if they have a lot of moisture on them.
Next, create a brine solution by filling a large bowl with 6 cups of lukewarm water and adding 1/4 cup of Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Stir to dissolve the salt, then add the chicken breasts to the water and let them sit, refrigerated for 1 to 1.5 hours to brine. After brining, remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
Now, it's time to season the chicken. Mix your chosen spices together in a small bowl and set aside. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken pieces, rubbing it in with your hands to ensure the entire breast is evenly coated. If you prefer a crispy breading texture, coat the chicken pieces in brown sugar and cornstarch instead of olive oil.
Place the chicken breasts inside the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Then, flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 6 minutes. After a total of 13 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F. If it has not, cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Once the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature, promptly remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer basket and let them rest on a clean cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking. Enjoy your juicy, tender air-fried chicken breasts with your favourite sides!
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Serving suggestions
Once you've cooked your juicy, tender air-fried chicken breast, the serving possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Salads
Slice, dice, or shred the chicken to add protein to your favourite salad. Try a spinach and strawberry salad, a simple green salad, a Greek orzo salad, or an arugula salad. You can also add chicken to a roasted peanut kale salad or an avocado kale Caesar salad.
Sandwiches, Wraps, and Pitas
Use the chicken in sandwiches, wraps, or pitas with a variety of vegetables and a delicious sauce. Try it in a chicken wrap with tzatziki, a chicken Caesar sandwich, or a healthy salad sandwich.
Pasta
Chicken is a great addition to pasta dishes. Try it with creamy kale pasta, mushroom gnocchi, or paprika chicken pasta.
Rice Bowls
Slice up your chicken and serve it in a rice bowl with some green beans, Brussels sprouts, or creamy corn.
Soups
Shredded chicken can be added to soups for a heartier meal.
Tacos
Chicken tacos are a family favourite. Try this recipe with some gochujang sauce or avocado Caesar green beans on the side.
Sides
Serve your chicken with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, baked potatoes, or sweet potatoes. You can also air fry some vegetables as a side, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus.
Dips
Slice and serve your chicken with some dips on a cutting board.
Freezing and Reheating
If you have leftovers, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can also refrigerate cooked chicken for up to 4 days and gently rewarm it in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the chicken into thin, flat pieces. Pat the chicken breasts dry if they have a lot of moisture on them. Then, mix your spices and sprinkle the mixture over the chicken pieces. Next, brush or spray both sides of the chicken with oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for another 6 minutes. After a total of 13 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. If it hasn't reached 165°F, cook for another 1-2 minutes.
It depends on the size of your chicken breasts. Generally, it takes about 13-15 minutes to cook an average-sized chicken breast. Smaller, thinly sliced pieces will take less time, while thicker pieces will take longer.
Set your air fryer to 400°F. Some recipes recommend cooking at 415°F, but this may result in the outside of the chicken cooking faster than the inside.
Yes, but it's best to let the chicken defrost in the fridge overnight or for at least 4-5 hours before cooking. Then, let the chicken come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before seasoning and cooking. If you want to cook the chicken straight from frozen, preheat the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Air fryer chicken breast goes well with a variety of side dishes. You can serve it with a fresh salad, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or baked potatoes. It's also great for meal prep and can be added to wraps, sandwiches, or salads.
