Keep Chicken Juicy In Your Air Fryer: Tips And Tricks

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken quickly and easily, but it can be tricky to get the meat just right. Overcooking chicken in an air fryer can result in a dry and tough texture, so it's important to know some tips and tricks to prevent this from happening.

One way to ensure your chicken stays moist is to brine it before cooking. Brining is the process of soaking meat in a saltwater solution, which helps it retain moisture and enhances its ability to stay tender and juicy. You can also try marinating the chicken to infuse it with flavour. In addition, using a small amount of oil, such as olive or avocado oil, will help keep the chicken moist and allow any seasonings to adhere better.

It's important to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken, and to ensure that the temperature is correct. Cooking at high temperatures for too long will dry out the meat, so it's a good idea to use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature of the chicken and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious, juicy air-fried chicken without worrying about it drying out.

Brining the chicken

Brining is a great way to ensure your chicken stays juicy and tender when cooked in an air fryer. It's a simple process that involves soaking the meat in a solution of water and salt, with spices added to taste. This technique helps the chicken retain moisture in two ways:

Firstly, the salt in the brine acts on the proteins in the meat, improving their ability to hold onto water molecules. Secondly, the brine causes the muscle fibres in the meat to swell, trapping even more moisture within the chicken. As moisture naturally evaporates during cooking, brining helps lock in the juices, ensuring your chicken remains moist, tender, and flavourful.

To make a brine, combine water and salt in a large container, stirring until the salt dissolves. You can then add various herbs, sugar, or other aromatic ingredients if you wish, heating the mixture to infuse these additional flavours. However, only heat a quarter of the water, adding the remaining liquid in cold water to help the solution cool faster.

When you're ready to brine your chicken, place the meat in the container with the brine. Leave boneless chicken pieces in the brine for around 30 minutes. For bone-in chicken pieces, increase this to one to two hours. If you're brining a whole chicken, leave it in the brine for four to 12 hours.

After brining, you can marinate the chicken to further enhance the flavour. However, if you're primarily concerned about the chicken drying out, you can skip the marinade and move straight to cooking.

It's worth noting that brining isn't the same as marinating. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes. Brining is a method of tenderising and moisturising meat, whereas marinating is more about infusing it with flavour.

Marinating the chicken

Marinating is a great way to infuse your chicken with flavour and keep it juicy. You can marinate your chicken after brining it to lock in moisture and add flavour.

A simple way to make a brine is to combine water and salt in a large container, stirring with a whisk to dissolve the salt. You can add sugar, herbs, and other aromatic ingredients to the brine if you wish. Heat the mixture to infuse the brine with these additional ingredients, but only heat a quarter of the water. When adding the remaining liquid, use cold water so the solution cools faster. Place the chicken in the container with the brine and leave boneless chicken pieces for 30 minutes, bone-in pieces for one to two hours, and a whole chicken for four to 12 hours.

For the marinade, you can use any combination of herbs and spices to season the meat. A simple blend could include onion powder, garlic powder, chilli powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for a little spice. Alternatively, you could use a store-bought seasoning blend.

Pat the chicken dry with clean paper towels and place it in a bowl. Coat the chicken with your chosen marinade and rub it in. Transfer the chicken to the fridge and chill it, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes.

After marinating, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer and rub the chicken breasts with olive oil. Cook the chicken for about 18 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Using a food thermometer

Choose the Right Thermometer:

Get a good-quality food thermometer, such as the KIZEN Digital Meat Thermometer with Probe, which is waterproof and gives quick temperature readings.

Insert the Thermometer Properly:

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure not to touch any bones. This will give you an accurate reading of the meat's temperature.

Check the Temperature:

The USDA recommends that poultry be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 ºF (73.8 ºC). This ensures the chicken is safe to consume and helps prevent overcooking, which can lead to dry meat.

Monitor the Temperature:

By regularly checking the temperature towards the end of the cooking process, you can prevent overcooking. Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155-160 ºF, as the temperature will continue to rise during the resting period.

Rest the Chicken:

Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This resting period is crucial, as it lets the juices redistribute, ensuring the chicken stays moist and tender. It also allows for carryover cooking, bringing the chicken to the safe consumption temperature of 165 ºF.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your chicken comes out crispy and well-cooked. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer:

Preheating ensures that your chicken starts cooking as soon as it touches the air fryer's surface, promoting even cooking and a crispy texture. It is a crucial step that even seasoned cooks sometimes overlook.

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for at least 10 minutes before placing your chicken inside. This gives the appliance enough time to reach the desired temperature, ensuring optimal cooking conditions.

Preheat Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375°F. However, you may need to adjust this temperature slightly based on your specific air fryer model. Always refer to your air fryer's instructions or seek guidance from the manufacturer.

Don't Forget the Oil

Before placing your chicken in the air fryer, remember to coat it with a small amount of oil. This helps to ensure your chicken stays moist and enhances the flavour. A little olive oil or avocado oil goes a long way!

Preheating for Frozen Chicken

If you're cooking frozen chicken, you'll still want to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 360°F, and don't forget to coat your chicken with oil before placing it in the air fryer.

Tips for Success

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure consistent results.
• Preheat for at least 10 minutes to allow the appliance to reach the desired temperature.
• The ideal temperature for cooking chicken is 375°F, but adjust as needed for your specific model.
• Don't forget to coat your chicken with oil before placing it in the air fryer.

Adjusting the cooking time

The cooking time for chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Small breasts (5-7 oz) will take 7-10 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 oz) will take 10-12 minutes, and large breasts (11 oz or more) will take 12-16 minutes. However, cooking times may vary depending on the model of the air fryer, so it is important to monitor the chicken's progress and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

To ensure the chicken is cooked properly, it is recommended to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165 °F, but it is best to remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 155-160 °F as the temperature will continue to rise while resting. This will help prevent overcooking, which can lead to dry chicken.

Additionally, it is important to preheat the air fryer for at least 10 minutes before cooking and to ensure that the air fryer's temperature is accurate. A manual temperature check with a thermometer is recommended at least once every six months to catch any discrepancies that could affect the cooking time and the moisture level of the chicken.

Frequently asked questions