Broasted Chicken In An Air Fryer: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Broasted chicken is a hybrid between frying and pressure cooking. It has a crispy skin layer on the outside, a layer of drier meat under the skin, and a softer layer underneath. While you can make broasted chicken in an air fryer, it won't be as crispy as deep-fried chicken.

To make broasted chicken in an air fryer, start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk. Then, dredge the chicken in a flour mixture. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 360–390 °F for 15–20 minutes. If you're using an air fryer, it's important to remember that the circulating air needs to be able to reach all surfaces of the food, so don't overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

While you can use boneless and skinless chicken breasts for convenience, bone-in and skin-on chicken pieces are recommended for the most flavourful and juicy broasted chicken. Chicken thighs and legs have more flavour and moisture due to the presence of both dark and white meat. They also have skin, which helps the coating stick and creates a luscious crispy texture.

Chicken Size and Thickness

For even cooking and to avoid undercooked or overcooked spots, choose chicken pieces that are similar in size. If using chicken breasts, opt for smaller ones, and consider pounding the chicken to an even thickness. This ensures that all parts of the meat cook evenly, preventing the thinner ends from drying out before the thicker middle is cooked.

Chicken Quality

Whenever possible, opt for higher-quality chicken from a trusted source. Look for chicken with a good amount of marbling, which are the thin white lines of fat that run through the meat. This fat helps keep the chicken moist and juicy during cooking.

Preparation and Marinade

Before coating the chicken, pat it dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step helps the coating adhere better and promotes crispiness. You can also try dry brining the chicken by coating it with a mixture of salt and spices and letting it air dry in the refrigerator for a day. This enhances the flavour and helps dry out the skin for a crispier texture.

Quantity

Remember to consider the size of your air fryer when choosing the amount of chicken to cook. The chicken pieces should not touch each other in the air fryer to allow proper air circulation. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Marinating the chicken

Selecting the Chicken:

Start by choosing the right type of chicken for broasting. Bone-in chicken thighs and legs are ideal as they provide the most flavour. You can also use a whole chicken and cut it into pieces, ensuring you have a mix of dark and white meat. Skin-on and bone-in chicken pieces result in juicier and more flavourful meat.

Preparing the Marinade:

In a small bowl, combine salt, spices, and oil to create a paste. The specific spices you use can vary based on your preference. You can use a simple combination of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, or get creative with seasonings like Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, paprika, oregano, or Italian seasoning. Adjust the amount of salt according to your taste preferences and the type of salt used (e.g., Diamond Kosher Salt has less sodium than other salt brands).

Take the chicken pieces and coat them generously with the prepared paste. Ensure that all surfaces of the chicken are covered with the marinade. Once the chicken is coated, place the pieces in an airtight container or a bowl and let them marinate in the refrigerator. The ideal marination time can vary—you can let the chicken sit for at least an hour or even overnight for more intense flavour penetration.

Enhancing the Flavour:

For even more flavour, you can try a few additional techniques. One option is to brine the chicken before marinating. Brining helps to add moisture and tenderness to the meat. Simply soak the chicken pieces in a brine solution (a mixture of water and salt) for a few hours before rinsing and patting them dry. Another option is to use buttermilk as a marinade. Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for an hour or overnight before coating them with the spice paste. Buttermilk adds tenderness and flavour to the chicken.

Tips for Best Results:

• If you have the time, allow the chicken to marinate for a longer period, as this will enhance the flavour and tenderness of the meat.
• If you want to add a crispy coating to your broasted chicken, prepare a flour mixture with seasonings and dredge the marinated chicken pieces in it before placing them in the air fryer.
• Always ensure your air fryer basket is coated with non-stick spray or oil to prevent the chicken from sticking and make clean-up easier.
• When cooking the chicken, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer, which can lead to uneven cooking.

Preparing the coating

Firstly, you will need to season the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, prepare a medium-sized bowl and add buttermilk and eggs, whisking them together.

Next, prepare another medium-sized bowl and add flour, cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix these dry ingredients together.

Now, you are ready to dredge the chicken. Using tongs, dredge the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then lastly in the flour again. Ensure that the chicken is well coated.

If you have time, you can let the chicken sit in the buttermilk for an hour or even overnight. This will give your chicken that classic fried chicken tenderness.

Cooking the chicken

There are a few steps to follow to cook the chicken to perfection. Firstly, you'll want to prepare the chicken by coating it in a paste or a flour mixture. For the paste, mix the salt and spices with oil. For the flour mixture, whisk together the flour, salt, and any other seasonings you want to add. Then, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, dip it in buttermilk or egg, and then dredge it in the flour again.

Next, you'll want to place the chicken in the air fryer. Make sure there is enough space between each piece of chicken to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the chicken in batches. Cooking times will vary depending on the size and type of chicken you are using, but generally, it will take around 15-20 minutes at a temperature of around 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the cooking process, you might need to spray the chicken with cooking spray or oil to ensure that any leftover coating gets cooked and doesn't burn. You can also flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Finally, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking.

Reheating and storing the chicken

Now that you've made your delicious broasted chicken in the air fryer, it's important to know how to reheat and store it properly to maintain its taste and texture.

Reheating the Chicken

The best way to reheat broasted chicken is in an air fryer or oven. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the chicken soggy and dry. Here are some detailed instructions for reheating your chicken:

• If your chicken has been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to remove some of the chill. This helps it reheat more evenly.
• Brush the chicken with a little oil or cooking spray to enhance crispiness. You can also spritz the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray to help crisp up any leftover coating.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for proper airflow. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Reheat the chicken for about 6 minutes, then flip it over for even cooking.
• Continue heating for another 4-10 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's thoroughly reheated and safe to eat, according to USDA guidelines.
• For extra crispiness, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking.

Storing the Chicken

To store your broasted chicken properly, follow these steps:

• Allow the chicken to cool down to room temperature before storing.
• Place the chicken in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. You can also wrap the chicken in aluminum foil, ensuring there are no air bubbles or tears.
• If using a container, line it with paper towels to soak up any excess juices and help keep the chicken crisp.
• Store the chicken in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for 3-5 days.
• Avoid freezing reheated chicken, as it can affect the texture and taste.

Frequently asked questions