Make Tender Chicken Breasts In Your Air Fryer

Chicken breasts have a reputation for being dry and boring, but they can truly shine when prepared correctly. If you're looking for a way to make chicken breasts tender in an air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow.

First, it's important to note that the air fryer uses convection heat, so you don't need to set it as high as you would an oven. The ideal temperature for air frying chicken is 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Before cooking, you can make your chicken breasts juicier and more tender by brining them. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. This helps the chicken absorb extra liquid and salt, making it more flavourful and moist. Even just 30 minutes of brining can make a difference.

When you're ready to cook, lightly coat the chicken breasts in olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 9-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Small breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 7-10 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 ounces) will take 10-12 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12-16 minutes.

Finally, don't overcook the chicken breasts. Chicken is considered cooked at an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can remove it from the air fryer once it reaches 155-160 degrees as the residual heat will continue to cook the meat.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your air-fried chicken breasts are tender, juicy, and full of flavour.

Brining the chicken

Brining is an important step in ensuring your chicken is tender and juicy. It is a simple process that involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. During brining, the chicken absorbs extra liquid and salt, which helps keep it moist and enhances its flavour. You can use either a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt over the meat).

Wet Brine

For a wet brine, create a saltwater solution by mixing salt and water. Submerge the chicken breasts in this solution and let them rest for at least 30 minutes. This process will ensure that your chicken is evenly seasoned, moist, and flavourful.

Dry Brine

For a dry brine, simply sprinkle salt over the chicken breasts and let them rest, uncovered, in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to a day. This method is less messy and still yields delicious results.

Tips for Brining

• If you're short on time, even just 30 minutes of brining can make a noticeable difference in the tenderness and flavour of your chicken.
• If you're using a dry brine, you can also add other spices and herbs to the salt mixture to further enhance the flavour of your chicken.
• After brining, let the chicken come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer.
• Don't overcook the chicken. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, and remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155-160°F. The residual heat will bring it to the safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Brining your chicken breasts before air frying them is a simple yet effective way to ensure your chicken is juicy, tender, and full of flavour. Experiment with different types of salt and additional seasonings to find the combination that works best for your taste preferences.

Using olive oil

Olive oil is a great option to ensure your chicken breasts come out tender and juicy when using an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Olive Oil

• Start by gathering your ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, and your choice of seasonings.
• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. You can lightly pound them with a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to ensure they are of even thickness. This step is optional but helps with even cooking.
• Drizzle or rub olive oil on both sides of the chicken breasts. This will help the seasonings stick to the meat and promote even cooking.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

• In a small bowl, mix your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, or other herbs and spices.
• Generously rub the seasoning mixture onto the chicken breasts, ensuring both sides are well coated. Let the seasoned chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the flavours to absorb.

Step 3: Air Frying

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer at temperatures between 360-375°F (182-191°C).
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Leave some space between them to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the chicken for 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. For smaller breasts (5-7 ounces), cook for 9 minutes. For larger breasts (11 ounces or more), you may need up to 12 minutes or slightly longer.
• Flip the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.

Step 4: Resting and Serving

• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This step is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier and more tender chicken breasts.
• Your tender and juicy air fryer chicken breasts are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with your favourite sides, such as roasted potatoes, vegetables, or a refreshing salad.

Tips for Success:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Let the chicken rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is juicy and tender.
• Get creative with your seasonings. You can use Italian seasoning, Greek seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or even lemon pepper to switch up the flavours.

Spacing out the chicken breasts

Firstly, it is crucial to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer, leaving adequate space between them. This allows hot air to circulate around each piece of chicken, promoting even cooking. If your air fryer is small and you are cooking multiple chicken breasts, it is advisable to cook them in batches. By spacing them out, you prevent the chicken from steaming, which can result in soggy, unevenly cooked meat.

Additionally, it is essential to flip the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that both sides of the chicken cook evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and colour. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of chicken breasts, you may need to flip and rotate them to ensure all pieces cook evenly.

Furthermore, the thickness of the chicken breasts can impact the cooking process. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider using a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness before placing them in the air fryer. This technique helps ensure the meat cooks evenly throughout, preventing undercooked or overcooked sections.

When placing the chicken breasts in the air fryer, ensure they are not stacked or overlapping. They should be arranged in a single layer, with adequate space around each piece. If you are cooking a large number of chicken breasts, you may need to cook them in batches to maintain the necessary spacing.

Lastly, it is worth noting that the size of the chicken breasts will affect the cooking time. Smaller breasts will cook faster, while larger ones may require additional time. Adjust your cooking time accordingly, and always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Avoiding overcooking

To avoid overcooking your chicken breasts in an air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to note that chicken breasts tend to be quite finicky and can easily become dry if overcooked. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the temperature and cooking time to ensure they remain tender and juicy.

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, it is recommended to remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches around 155-160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise slightly as it rests. This is known as carryover cooking, and it ensures the chicken is cooked through without drying out.
• Be mindful of the size of your chicken breasts. Smaller breasts (around 5-7 ounces) will take approximately 7-10 minutes to cook, while larger breasts (11 ounces or more) may need up to 16 minutes. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space between the chicken breasts to allow for even cooking. If needed, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Preheating the air fryer is generally not recommended for cooking chicken breasts. Preheating can cause the outside of the chicken to cook faster than the inside, leading to dryness. However, if you are aiming for a crispy exterior, preheating can be beneficial.
• Let the chicken rest after cooking. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and helps prevent the chicken from drying out.
• Brining or marinating the chicken before cooking can also help keep it moist and juicy. Brining involves coating the chicken in a saltwater solution or sprinkling it with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This process adds moisture and enhances the chicken's flavour.

Letting the chicken rest

Resting the chicken also gives the meat a chance to finish cooking. Food safety guidelines recommend cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. However, removing the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 160°F and letting it rest for a few minutes will allow the residual heat to finish cooking the chicken to the recommended temperature. This helps prevent overcooking, which can result in dry and tough chicken.

The resting period is also a great time to prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany your juicy air-fried chicken. Some tasty side dish options include roasted potatoes, easy corn on the cob, air fryer mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, or a salad. For sauces, you could try a creamy mushroom sauce, white BBQ sauce, or Peruvian creamy green sauce.

So, don't skip the resting step! It's crucial for ensuring your chicken is cooked to perfection and results in juicy, tender meat.

Frequently asked questions