Air-Frying Chicken: Best Practices For Succulent Results

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook chicken breasts. You can have a delicious, juicy and tender meal ready in under 15 minutes. All you need to do is season the chicken, add oil, and cook in the air fryer for around 10 minutes.

How to season chicken breast for the air fryer

Seasoning chicken breast for the air fryer is a simple process. First, combine your chosen spices and oil in a small bowl and mix well. You can also add salt to the mixture. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then brush the oil mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is completely coated. You can also drizzle the oil over the chicken and rub the seasoning in with your hands.

Once the chicken is coated, place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's important to ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts in the basket, as the air fryer cooks the protein by circulating hot air.

Cooking times will depend on the size of the chicken breasts. For smaller or medium-sized breasts, cook for around 10 minutes at 190ºC/375ºF. For larger breasts, increase the cooking time. Flip the chicken halfway through so that both sides cook evenly.

You'll know the chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Use a meat thermometer to check. Once cooked, remove the chicken to a plate and let it rest for a couple of minutes. This will allow the carryover cooking to increase the internal temperature by several more degrees.

How long to cook chicken breast in an air fryer

Cooking chicken breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and how many you are cooking.

For smaller or medium-sized chicken breasts, you should cook them for 10 minutes in total. First, place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes at 190ºC/375ºF. Then, flip the chicken over and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. You can check this by using a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165F.

For larger chicken breasts, you will need to increase the cooking time. One method is to cook the chicken for 4 minutes, flip, and then cook for another 4 minutes. You can then check the internal temperature and, if it has not reached 165F, continue to cook in 2-minute intervals until it has.

Another method for larger chicken breasts is to cook for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C), then flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

How to know when chicken breast is cooked in an air fryer

To know when chicken breast is cooked in an air fryer, you should check the internal temperature of the meat. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

Cooking times will depend on the size of the chicken breasts. Large breasts will require a longer cooking time, while small or medium breasts should be done in around 10 minutes. As a rough guide, cook the chicken for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C), then flip the chicken over and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

You'll also know the chicken is cooked when it is golden brown and tender. It should be juicy and delicious!

How to prepare chicken breast for the air fryer

To prepare chicken breast for the air fryer, start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Next, combine your chosen spices and oil in a small bowl and mix well. Then, brush the oil over the chicken, ensuring each piece is completely coated. You can also drizzle oil over the chicken and rub it in with your hands.

After this, season the chicken. Sprinkle the seasoning blend on both sides of the chicken and rub it in with your hands. You can also add salt to the oil and spices to create a paste, which you can then coat the chicken breasts with.

Finally, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space between the breasts. Cook times will depend on the size of the breasts, with larger breasts requiring a longer cooking time.

How to serve chicken breast from the air fryer

Once your chicken breasts are cooked, let them rest for a couple of minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking.

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165F. If it hasn't, return the chicken to the air fryer for a few more minutes.

When you're ready to serve, place the chicken breasts on a plate or board and ensure there is enough space between them. This will help keep the chicken juicy.

You can serve the chicken breasts with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, salad, or potatoes. You could also slice the chicken and serve it in a wrap or sandwich.

Frequently asked questions