Fryer Chicken: A Beginner's Guide To Frying Perfection

There are many ways to make fried chicken in an air fryer, and it can be done in as little as 10 minutes. The key to this recipe is to use thinly sliced chicken breasts, coat them in a variety of spices, and then air fry them to perfection. The spices used can include paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also call for olive oil, brown sugar, and cornstarch. The chicken is cooked in the air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, resulting in juicy and tender meat with a crispy skin.

Choosing the right chicken breasts

Size of Chicken Breasts

When purchasing chicken breasts for your fryer chicken, it is crucial to consider their size. For even cooking and optimal tenderness, opt for smaller, thinner chicken breasts. Larger breasts tend to take longer to cook and may dry out, affecting the overall taste and texture of your dish. Aim for chicken breasts that are around 7 ounces each, as this size works well with standard cooking times and yields juicy, flavourful results.

Boneless and Skinless

For fryer chicken, it is generally best to choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts. While bone-in and skin-on options are available, they require different cooking techniques and timings. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are easier to work with and ensure even cooking throughout the meat. They also absorb flavours more effectively, allowing your chosen spices and seasonings to shine through in the final dish.

Freshness and Quality

Selecting fresh, high-quality chicken breasts is vital for both taste and food safety. Look for chicken breasts with a pale pink colour, avoiding any with discolouration or an unpleasant odour. Ensure the meat is firm to the touch, with a smooth and moist (but not slimy) surface. Check the "best before" or "use by" dates on the packaging to ensure you are getting the freshest product available.

Defrosting and Preparing Frozen Chicken Breasts

If you opt for frozen chicken breasts, it is crucial to defrost them properly before cooking. Place the frozen breasts in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours to allow them to thaw gradually and safely. Once they are completely defrosted, let them come to room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding with seasoning and cooking. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the formation of bacteria.

Slicing and Pounding

For the best results, consider slicing or pounding your chicken breasts to create a uniform thickness. Slicing the breasts into thinner pieces promotes even cooking and enhances the flavour by increasing the surface area for seasoning. Pounding the chicken breasts lightly can also help tenderise the meat, making it more succulent and juicy after frying.

Remember, choosing the right chicken breasts is a crucial step in making delicious fryer chicken. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a mouth-watering dish that your family and friends will surely enjoy!

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, select the right size of chicken. For air fryer chicken breasts, it is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are around 7 ounces. If you are cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer, choose one that is about 3-4 lbs in size.

Now, let's move on to the preparation steps:

• Pat the chicken dry: Use paper towels to remove any excess moisture from the chicken. This step is important as it helps the seasonings stick to the chicken better and promotes even browning.
• Cut the chicken into thin pieces: For air fryer chicken breasts, it is recommended to cut each breast into thin, flat pieces. This ensures even cooking, juicier meat, and more surface area for the seasonings to adhere to.
• Season the chicken: Create a simple seasoning mix using spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also add other dried herbs like oregano or parsley. Sprinkle the seasoning mix generously over the chicken pieces, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
• Add oil: Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the seasoned chicken and rub it in with your hands, ensuring that the chicken is well coated. This step helps the seasonings stick to the chicken and promotes even browning.
• Pound the chicken (optional): If you want to ensure even cooking and reduce the thickness of the chicken breasts, you can lightly pound them to flatten the thicker side.
• Rest the chicken (optional): While this step is not necessary, allowing the seasoned chicken to rest for a short period can enhance the flavour. For best results, wait to add the cornstarch until just before placing the chicken in the air fryer.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared chicken that is ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Air frying the chicken

Air frying chicken is a quick and easy way to cook chicken, and it can be done in a few simple steps.

Firstly, you'll want to prepare your chicken. If you're cooking chicken breasts, it's best to slice them into thinner, smaller, flat pieces. This will ensure more even cooking, and a juicier end result. If you're cooking a whole chicken, you'll want to remove the giblets and untie the legs if the chicken is too big and touching the top of the air fryer. You can also crack the breast bone to make it fit.

Next, you'll want to season your chicken. This can be as simple as sprinkling salt and pepper over the chicken, or you can get creative with a blend of spices. Some popular options include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and dried herbs. You can also marinate the chicken before cooking for extra flavour.

Once your chicken is prepared and seasoned, it's time to start cooking. Preheat your air fryer to between 350-415 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature will depend on the size of your chicken and the model of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust accordingly. Place your chicken in the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space around each piece to allow for airflow.

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken, but generally, it will take around 10-20 minutes for chicken breasts and around an hour for a whole chicken. Be sure to flip your chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. You'll know your chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once your chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air-fried chicken. Here are some suggestions:

Salads

You can serve the chicken on a salad, such as a simple green salad, a roasted peanut kale salad, or an avocado kale Caesar salad.

Rice Bowls

You can serve the chicken in a rice bowl with green rice or coconut rice.

Soups

The air-fried chicken can be added to soups, such as a spicy white chicken soup.

Tacos

You can use the chicken to make chicken tacos.

Dips

The chicken can be served with various dips, such as a gochujang dipping sauce made by mixing mayo, gochujang sauce, grated garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.

Vegetables

Air-fried chicken can be served with roasted vegetables such as sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, or green beans.

Sides

The chicken can be served with mashed potatoes and a side salad.

Sandwiches

You can use the chicken to make sandwiches.

Freezing and Reheating

You can also freeze the cooked chicken for later consumption and reheat it in the microwave when needed.

Reheating tips

Reheating fried chicken can be tricky, as you want to keep the meat moist and the outer layer crunchy. Here are some tips to help you achieve that:

• It is safe to reheat fried chicken as long as it was fully cooked, cooled, and stored properly the first time. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°Fahrenheit before eating or reheating.
• When storing leftover fried chicken, let it come to room temperature, then wrap it to prevent drying, and place it in the refrigerator.
• The best method for reheating fried chicken is using an oven or an air fryer.
• If using an oven, preheat it to 400°Fahrenheit. Place the chicken on an oven-safe rack set on a rimmed baking sheet to allow air circulation and even cooking. Let the chicken sit for 20-30 minutes to come to room temperature, then place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.
• For an air fryer, preheat it to 375°Fahrenheit. Let the chicken come to room temperature, then cook for 3-8 minutes, ensuring the air fryer is not overcrowded for even cooking.
• Avoid reheating fried chicken in the microwave, as it will dry out the meat and make the coating tough and soggy.
• If you want to reheat fried chicken on the stovetop, heat oil in a heavy-duty pot to 350°Fahrenheit. Slowly add the chicken without overcrowding the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes until crisp and heated through.
• To prevent your fried chicken from drying out, you can marinate the meat in a buttermilk brine before the initial cooking.
• Always let the chicken come to room temperature before reheating to ensure even cooking and to prevent the outer crust from burning.
• Do not overcrowd your cooking vessel, whether an oven, air fryer, or skillet, to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Frequently asked questions