Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, yielding juicy and tender results. The high-powered, countertop convection oven cooks chicken with hot air, and is a healthier alternative to frying chicken. It is also a versatile way to cook chicken, as it can be added hot or cold to salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more. To cook plain chicken in an air fryer, the chicken should be cooked at 360–375°F for 9–14 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. The chicken should be flipped halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly.
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What You'll Learn
How to get juicy chicken
There are several ways to ensure your chicken stays juicy when using an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to note that chicken breast is a lean meat, so it is best cooked using high-temperature baking for a shorter period. The air fryer is ideal for this. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375°F (190°C).
To ensure your chicken is juicy, you can brine it first. Brining is the process of salting meat and letting it rest before cooking. This helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, keeping it juicy. Even just 30 minutes of brining can make a difference.
Another way to ensure your chicken stays juicy is to avoid overcooking it. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F (74°C). It is recommended to remove the chicken from the air fryer at 160°F (71°C) as the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken as it rests.
You can also keep your chicken juicy by pounding it to an even thickness before cooking. This helps the chicken cook evenly and can be done by lightly pounding the thicker side of the chicken breast. However, it is important not to pound the chicken too flat, as this can result in dry chicken.
Finally, coating your chicken in oil and seasoning can help keep it juicy. Olive oil is a good option, as it helps the outside of the chicken get crispy while also ensuring the seasonings adhere to the meat. For seasoning, you can use a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
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How to get crispy chicken
To get crispy chicken, you can use an air fryer to cook the chicken to golden, crispy perfection. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving that crispy chicken texture:
Preparation
Firstly, decide if you want to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or bone-in chicken with skin. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are leaner and healthier, but bone-in chicken with skin will give you a more flavourful and juicier result with a crispier crust.
If you are using frozen chicken breasts, make sure to defrost them in the fridge overnight or at least 4-5 hours before cooking.
Brining
Brining is a great way to ensure your chicken 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 the meat with salt). Brining helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, keeping it moist and flavourful.
Seasoning
A simple seasoning mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper works well for plain chicken. You can also add other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley. Make sure to season generously and evenly coat all the chicken pieces.
Coating
For an extra crispy coating, you can dip the chicken in buttermilk and then coat it with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs. The buttermilk helps the coating stick and gives the chicken more flavour. Make sure to spray the chicken lightly with oil to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F-375°F (190°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook for about 7 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F-165°F.
Resting
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for a few minutes before serving. This allows the carryover cooking to increase the internal temperature by a few degrees, ensuring it is cooked through.
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How to prepare the chicken before cooking
Preparing chicken before cooking it in an air fryer is a simple process. Firstly, decide whether you want to cook a whole chicken or just chicken breasts. If you opt for a whole chicken, you can cut it up yourself to get a mix of dark and white meat. You may also choose to keep the chicken skin-on and bone-in, as this can result in more flavourful and juicier meat.
If you are cooking chicken breasts, it is recommended to slice them into thinner, smaller, flat pieces to ensure more even cooking and more flavour. However, be careful not to pound the chicken too thin, as this can result in dry meat.
Next, you can choose to brine the chicken to ensure it stays moist during cooking. This can be done by either wet brining, where you cover the meat in a saltwater solution, or dry brining, where you simply sprinkle salt over the meat. You can also marinate the chicken to add extra flavour.
After brining or marinating, lightly coat the chicken pieces in oil and season them generously with salt and other spices. You can also add brown sugar and cornstarch for extra flavour and crispiness. Ensure the chicken is well-coated by rubbing the oil and seasoning into the meat with your hands.
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How to avoid overcooking the chicken
To avoid overcooking plain chicken in an air fryer, it's important to monitor the cooking time and temperature carefully. Here are some detailed tips to help you avoid overcooking:
First, it's crucial to understand that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Smaller breasts will require less cooking time, while larger ones may need a few extra minutes. As a general guideline, plain chicken breasts without breading typically take around 10 to 14 minutes in the air fryer, cooking at 375°F (190°C). Flip the chicken halfway through, after about 7 minutes, to ensure even cooking.
To prevent overcooking, it's recommended to remove the chicken from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 155–160°F, as carryover cooking will increase the temperature by a few degrees while the chicken rests. The chicken is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F. Using an instant-read thermometer will help you accurately determine the doneness of your chicken.
Additionally, consider brining your chicken before cooking. Brining involves soaking the chicken in a saltwater solution or simply sprinkling it with salt (dry brining) for about 30 minutes. This technique helps keep the chicken moist and adds flavour by allowing the meat to absorb extra liquid and salt.
Another factor to consider is the use of oil. While air fryers can cook chicken without oil, adding a small amount of oil can improve moisture levels and texture. Lightly coat the chicken with oil before placing it in the air fryer, and consider spraying the chicken with oil during cooking if you notice any dry spots.
Lastly, preheating the air fryer is generally recommended, as it ensures that the cooking process begins immediately upon adding the chicken. Preheat your air fryer for at least 10 minutes before adding the chicken. However, note that preheating may cause the outside of the chicken to cook faster than the inside, so be cautious when using this technique with chicken breasts.
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How to serve the chicken
There are many ways to serve plain air-fried chicken. Here are some ideas:
Salads and Wraps
You can add the chicken to salads, wraps, and sandwiches. For a salad, try a Tomato Burrata Salad with basil and orange zest, or a Fresh Fig and Goat Cheese Salad with honey dressing. For a wrap, try a classic chicken wrap with your choice of vegetables and sauces.
Sides
You can serve the chicken with a variety of sides. Some examples include roasted fennel, roasted potatoes, French onion soup, sweet potato gratin, and Parmesan-crusted Brussels sprouts. For a healthier option, serve the chicken with a side of steamed rice and vegetables.
Hearty Meals
For a more filling meal, serve the chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, or with a side of mac and cheese. You can also try a one-pan dinner with chicken, a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and vegetables.
Other Options
You can also use the chicken as a base for other dishes. For example, shred the chicken and use it in tacos, burritos, or grain bowls. You can also try a chicken piccata recipe, where you cook the chicken on a bed of tender red potatoes and serve it with a buttery lemon sauce and briny capers.
Remember, the beauty of plain chicken is its versatility, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors and cuisines!
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook chicken in an air fryer is 350°F.
It takes 14 minutes to cook chicken in an air fryer. After 14 minutes, flip the chicken and spray it with oil. Then cook for another 10 to 12 minutes.
Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
To prevent the chicken from drying out, you can brine it before cooking. Brining is the process of salting meat and letting it rest prior to cooking.
You can serve plain chicken cooked in an air fryer with a simple green salad, air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or avocado Caesar green beans.
