Emilie Meyer
Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a fast and easy way to get moist and flavorful chicken without the grease of pan-frying or the dryness of baking. Marinating the chicken is a crucial step in adding flavor and keeping the chicken breasts juicy and tender. The marinade can be as simple as olive oil, lemon juice, and dried herbs, or you can add spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 4 hours or even overnight. Once marinated, the chicken breasts can be cooked in the air fryer for 10-14 minutes, depending on their size, flipping them halfway through.
How to Cook Marinated Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade | Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, honey, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, dried herbs, paprika, rosemary, parsley, Spike Seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, dried sage, brown sugar |
| Marinating Time | 30 minutes to 24 hours |
| Chicken Preparation | Remove any unwanted fat and trim chicken breasts to an even thickness. Cut shallow slits across the breasts. Pat dry with a paper towel. |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 375°F to 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 8 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes. |
| Internal Temperature | 165°F |
| Resting Time | 5 minutes |
| Sides | Roasted vegetables, salad, rice, mac and cheese, stir-fried spinach with garlic and parmesan, green beans, asparagus with lemon-mustard vinaigrette, avocado tomato salad, Laurel’s jicama salad, broccoli mac and cheese |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Freeze cooked or raw chicken in the marinade for up to 3 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken breast preparation
Next, prepare the marinade. A good marinade will add flavour and moisture to the chicken. You can use a store-bought marinade or make your own. A simple marinade can be made by combining olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, dried sage, and some fresh ground black pepper. You can also add salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper for an extra kick. If you want a more substantial coating, you can use a mixture of parmesan cheese, egg, and panko breadcrumbs.
Once you have prepared the marinade, place the chicken breasts in a large container or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal or cover, and chill in the refrigerator. For best results, let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. If you are short on time, even a quick 20-minute marination will help add flavour and moisture to the chicken. You can also marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavour.
Finally, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before cooking. This step is important as it will help the chicken cook more evenly. Now your chicken breasts are ready to be cooked in the air fryer!
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Marinade ingredients
Marinating chicken breasts before air frying is a great way to add flavour and moisture to the meat. There are many different ingredients you can use to marinate chicken, and you can use either homemade or store-bought marinades.
A simple marinade can be made with just four ingredients that you can easily find in your pantry. Olive oil is a common ingredient in many marinades, as it helps to hold spices onto the chicken and prevent the meat from drying out. Other neutral cooking oils such as avocado or canola oil can also be used. Lemon juice is another popular ingredient, adding acidity to the marinade. You can also use the zest of the lemon for extra flavour.
Garlic is a key ingredient in many marinades, and you can use either garlic powder or freshly minced garlic. Alternatively, onion powder can be used to achieve a similar flavour. Spices such as paprika, dried basil, dried oregano, dried sage, and black pepper are also commonly used in chicken marinades. Fresh rosemary or dried rosemary can be added for a herbal flavour, and salt is used to enhance all the other flavours in the marinade.
For a sweeter marinade, you can add honey to the mixture, and Worcestershire sauce will add a salty flavour. Alternatively, brown sugar and salt can be combined with an acid like lemon juice to create a simple, healthy, and flavourful marinade.
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Marinating the chicken
Start by trimming any visible fat or undesirable parts from the chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, slice them so that they are of equal thickness. This will help ensure even cooking. Next, create shallow slits about 1/2 inch apart, going crosswise down each chicken breast. This will help the marinade penetrate the meat more effectively.
In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices, herbs, and acids with olive oil. Whisk or mix well until you have a smooth marinade. Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is well coated. Massage the chicken gently with your hands to help the marinade penetrate the meat.
Cover the bowl or seal the bag, and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for the best results. If you're short on time, even a quick 20-minute marination will add some flavour. For more intense flavour and tenderisation, you can marinate the chicken overnight or for up to 12 hours.
Once the chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer. This step is important, as it will help ensure even cooking.
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Air fryer settings
Firstly, it is important to note that different air fryer models may have specific instructions, so always refer to your air fryer's manual for precise guidelines. However, the following settings can be used as a general guide:
Preheating:
Preheating your air fryer is not mandatory, but it can help improve cooking results. If you choose to preheat, set your air fryer to 375°F-390°F/195°C for 3-5 minutes. This will ensure your air fryer is at the optimal temperature for cooking your chicken breasts.
Cooking Temperature:
After preheating, adjust the temperature to 380°F-400°F/204°C. This temperature range is ideal for cooking chicken breasts, ensuring they cook thoroughly without drying out.
Cooking Time:
The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. For large breasts, cook for 8-10 minutes on each side, which equates to 16-20 minutes in total. For medium breasts, cook for 8 minutes per side (16 minutes total), and for small breasts, cook for 6-7 minutes on each side (12-14 minutes total).
Internal Temperature:
To ensure your chicken is cooked thoroughly, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to check its temperature.
Resting:
Once your chicken breasts have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This resting period helps retain moisture and prevents the chicken from drying out.
Reheating:
If you have leftover chicken, you can reheat it in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400° Fahrenheit and reheat for 3 to 5 minutes.
Remember, these settings may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and personal preferences. Always refer to your air fryer's instructions for specific guidelines, and feel free to adjust the temperature and timing to suit your taste.
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Cooking and serving
Marinated chicken breasts are a quick and easy meal to cook in an air fryer, and the results are tender, juicy, and packed full of flavor.
First, prepare your chicken by trimming any visible fat and undesirable parts from the breasts. If your chicken breasts are not of a similar thickness, you may want to slice them so that they are. You can also cut short, shallow slits about half an inch apart across each breast to help the marinade penetrate.
Next, make your marinade. You can use any combination of seasonings you like, but a typical marinade includes olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. You can also add salt, pepper, paprika, and honey to taste. Whisk your marinade together in a bowl, then pour it over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally for 4 hours or even overnight.
When you are ready to cook your chicken, preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. If your fryer does not need preheating, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. Place the chicken breasts in the basket, taking care not to overlap them, and cook for 8 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for a further 6 to 7 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the breasts with a meat thermometer—they are safe to eat when they reach 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This will help to keep the meat juicy. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, or a fresh salad.
Any leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Frequently asked questions
Marinate your chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the fridge. For the best flavor, let your chicken marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F-400°F (380°F-390°F/195°C).
For large breasts, cook for 10 minutes per side (20 minutes total). For medium breasts, cook for 8 minutes per side (16 minutes total). For small breasts, cook for 6-7 minutes per side (12-14 minutes total).
Chicken needs to be cooked to 165°F/74°C-75°C to be safe to eat.
