Air-Fried Chicken: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken breasts are a versatile dish that can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and even chicken burrito bowls. They are also a great source of lean protein and vitamins.

An air fryer is a high-powered, countertop convection oven that cooks food by blowing hot air down and around it. It is a healthier alternative to deep frying and can be used to make healthy versions of fried favourites.

Ingredients:

- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

- 2 teaspoons olive oil

- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

1. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness.

2. To dry brine, sprinkle salt all over the chicken and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.

3. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes.

4. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you did not dry brine the chicken, add the salt now.

5. Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top and toss to coat evenly.

6. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.

8. Flip the chicken over and continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Choosing the right size of chicken breasts

If you're using an air fryer, it's best to opt for smaller, thinner chicken breasts. Thick chicken breasts can take longer to cook and may dry out. Aim for chicken breasts that are around 6-7 ounces or cut thicker breasts into thinner, flatter pieces. This will ensure even cooking and help prevent overcooking.

Here's a general guide for cooking times based on the size of your chicken breasts:

• Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 7-10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 10-12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 12-16 minutes

It's important to note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model, so adjust the timing as needed.

Additionally, it's recommended to pound the chicken breasts lightly to flatten and even out their thickness. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the chicken from drying out.

By choosing the right size of chicken breasts and adjusting the cooking time accordingly, you'll be well on your way to perfectly cooked, juicy air-fried chicken!

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, you will need to decide whether to brine your chicken or not. Brining is a process of salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. It helps to improve the texture and flavour of the chicken, but it is not essential. If you do decide to brine, you can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). For a dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with salt and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Next, you will need to prepare your chicken breasts. It is important to ensure they are an even thickness so that they cook evenly. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and use a rolling pin or meat mallet to gently pound the thicker side until they are an even thickness of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. You can also use your palm to flatten the chicken.

Now it's time to add the oil and seasoning. Place the chicken in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. In a separate bowl, mix together your chosen spices. You can use a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, or get creative with Mexican spices, BBQ spices, Indian spices, or whatever takes your fancy. Once you have mixed your spices, sprinkle the blend over the chicken and rub it in evenly on both sides.

Your chicken is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Seasoning the chicken

Choose the Right Chicken

The key to this recipe is making sure you buy the right size of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Go for chicken breasts that are about 7 ounces. Larger breasts will take an additional 1 to 4 minutes to cook.

Prepare the Chicken

Before seasoning the chicken, you can lightly pound the chicken to flatten the thicker side. This helps ensure even cooking and makes the chicken a bit more juicy. You can also trim the chicken breasts to make them thinner and smaller, but not bite-sized. This increases the surface area, allowing for more even cooking and more flavour.

Dry Brining (Optional but Recommended)

Dry brining is the process of salting the chicken and letting it rest before cooking. Sprinkle salt all over the chicken and place it in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. Dry brining improves the texture of the meat, making it juicier, plumper, and more flavourful.

Mix Your Spices

Now, it's time to mix your spices. You can go with a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley. You can also use Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or a premade blend like McCormick Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning. If you want some heat, add some ground cayenne pepper to your blend.

Coat the Chicken

In a bowl, combine the chicken with olive oil and the spice mixture. Toss to coat the chicken, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed on both sides. You can also use avocado oil or a neutral-flavoured high-heat oil. The oil helps the spices adhere to the chicken and keeps it moist.

Let it Rest

Before cooking, let the chicken come to room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes. This helps ensure even cooking.

Time to Air Fry!

Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook it for about 10 to 14 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. For a 7-ounce chicken breast, cook for about 10 to 11 minutes. For an 8 to 9-ounce breast, go for 11 to 12 minutes. And for a 10-ounce or larger breast, cook for about 13 to 14 minutes.

Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken even more juicy. Then, slice and serve your delicious, juicy air-fried chicken!

Cooking the chicken

Now that you've gathered all your ingredients, it's time to cook the chicken!

First, place your chicken breasts on a cutting board. Cover them with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer, gently pound the thicker side of each chicken breast. This step ensures that the chicken is of an even thickness, creating uniform cooking. Aim for a thickness of about half to three-quarters of an inch.

Next, we'll make a dry brine. Sprinkle kosher salt all over the chicken and place it in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes or up to a day. This step is optional but highly recommended, as it improves the texture and flavour of the meat. If you're short on time, you can skip this step and proceed to seasoning.

Before seasoning the chicken, remove it from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. In a small bowl, prepare your seasoning blend by mixing together your chosen spices. For a simple yet delicious option, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also experiment with other spices like thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning.

Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts and ensure they are well-coated. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and rub it in evenly on both sides. You can also place the chicken and spices in a large bowl and toss to coat.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, don't worry; simply place the chicken in the air fryer and it will heat up quickly. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, presentation side (smooth side) down, and cook for 6 minutes.

After 6 minutes, remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken using tongs. Continue cooking for an additional 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (71°C). An instant-read thermometer can be very helpful for checking the temperature.

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender chicken.

Tips for the Best Results

• Create space between multiple chicken breasts in the air fryer to ensure even cooking. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Avoid overcooking the chicken, as this can lead to dryness. Keep a close eye on the temperature and use the resting period to your advantage.
• Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the chicken juicier.
• Experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations. You can try Mexican spices, BBQ spices, Indian spices, or even a simple blend of salt and pepper.
• For extra juiciness and flavour, try marinating or brining the chicken before cooking. A dry brine, as described earlier, is a simple and effective method.

Resting the chicken

During the resting period, the chicken will continue to cook slightly due to residual heat, bringing it to the recommended internal temperature of 165°F. This process is known as carryover cooking, and it ensures that the chicken is cooked thoroughly without drying it out.

Additionally, resting the chicken makes it easier to handle and slice. It gives the meat time to relax, making it more tender and improving its texture. This step is crucial for getting juicy and flavorful chicken, and it also helps to enhance food safety by killing any harmful bacteria.

The resting time can vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the desired level of doneness. For smaller breasts, 5 minutes of resting time is usually sufficient. However, for larger breasts or if you prefer your chicken well done, you can let it rest for up to 10 minutes.

Frequently asked questions