Air-Fryer Marinated Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking marinated chicken breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. The key to success is a good marinade and ensuring the chicken is cooked through without drying out. Chicken breasts should be allowed to come to room temperature before being added to the air fryer, and the air fryer should be preheated to around 400F/204C. The cooking time will depend on the size of the breasts, but generally, they will need to cook for around 10 minutes per side. It's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should reach 160-165F/75C to be safe to eat.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F-400°F

You can also cook chicken breasts in an air fryer without a marinade. To do this, pat the chicken breast with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Pound the thicker end of the chicken to even out the sides for even cooking. Drizzle olive oil on top of the chicken and season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken breasts with the oil and seasoning and coat well. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Marinade the chicken for at least 30 minutes

Marinating chicken breast before air frying is a great way to add flavour and moisture to the meat. To do this, you should first pat the chicken breast with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, pound the thicker end of the chicken to even out the sides for even cooking. Drizzle olive oil on top of the chicken and season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken breasts with the oil and seasoning until they are well coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours if you have the time.

While the chicken is marinating, you can preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking at around 400°F/204°C, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your chicken breasts.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, you can add the breasts to the air fryer basket. Make sure to let them come to room temperature first, as adding cold chicken to the air fryer can affect the cooking time and temperature. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer, with the smooth side down.

For large chicken breasts, cook for 10 minutes per side. Medium breasts should be cooked for 8 minutes per side, and small breasts for 6-7 minutes per side. After the initial cooking time, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F/75°C to be safe to eat.

Cook the chicken for 10-14 minutes

After you've prepared your chicken and preheated your air fryer, it's time to cook the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-14 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. For large breasts, cook for 10 minutes per side. Medium breasts should be cooked for 8 minutes per side, and small breasts for 6-7 minutes per side.

After cooking, it's important to let the chicken rest before slicing. This will help keep the juices in the meat, ensuring your chicken is moist and tender. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes. While the chicken is resting, you can prepare any side dishes, such as a salad.

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 160-165°F to be safe to eat. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature.

Rest the chicken for 5 minutes

Once your chicken breasts are cooked, it's important to let them rest for five minutes before serving. This will give the chicken time to settle and ensure that it's cooked through. Resting the chicken will also help to retain the moisture in the meat, keeping it juicy and tender.

During the resting period, you can prepare any side dishes you want to serve with the chicken. This could include roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or a simple side of lemon wedges and herbs.

If you're cooking multiple chicken breasts, it's a good idea to let them rest together on a platter or a large plate. This will help them retain their heat and moisture.

After the five-minute resting period, you can slice the chicken breasts and serve them. Remember to always check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached a safe level before consuming. For chicken breasts, this is 165°F/75°C.

Serve with lemon wedges and herbs

To cook marinated chicken breast in an air fryer, you'll first need to let the chicken come to room temperature. You can then preheat your air fryer to 375°F-400°F/204°C and cook the chicken for 10-14 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts. For large breasts, cook for 10 minutes per side. For medium breasts, cook for 8 minutes per side. For small breasts, cook for 6-7 minutes per side. The internal temperature should be 160-165°F/75°C when cooked.

Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with lemon wedges and freshly chopped herbs over the top. You could also serve with roasted turnips, stir-fried spinach with garlic and parmesan, garlicky green beans stir fry, or barely-cooked asparagus with lemon-mustard vinaigrette.

To ensure your chicken breasts are moist and full of flavour, you can use a marinade. To do this, pat the chicken breast with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Pound the thicker end of the chicken to even out the sides for even cooking. Drizzle olive oil on top of the chicken and season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken breasts with the oil and seasoning and coat well. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions