Air-Fried Boneless Chicken: Quick, Crispy, And Juicy!

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken breast, then look no further than your air fryer. This handy kitchen appliance can cook juicy and tender chicken in less than 15 minutes.

The key to success is ensuring your chicken breasts are an even thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the thicker end. You can then season or marinate your chicken – a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper is a great option.

Once seasoned, pop your chicken into the air fryer basket and cook at 360-375°F for 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2-8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts.

And that's it! You now have juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken breast that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Choosing the right chicken breasts

Size

It is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are of a similar size, preferably around 7 to 8 ounces each. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking or undercooking. If you are cooking for a larger group, you can cook multiple batches to ensure the best results.

Quality

Opt for good-quality chicken breasts that are fresh and have a pinkish hue. Look for meat that is firm to the touch, with a smooth surface and no discolouration. Avoid chicken breasts with excessive liquid in the packaging, as this may indicate that they are past their prime.

Preparation

Before cooking, trim any excess fat or tendons from the chicken breasts. You can also lightly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, which promotes even cooking and tenderness. Cover the chicken with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound it to the desired thickness.

Seasoning

You can season the chicken breasts with a variety of spices and herbs to enhance their flavour. Common options include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also use pre-made seasoning blends such as taco seasoning or BBQ spices. Be generous with the seasoning, as it adds flavour and helps create a delicious crust during cooking.

Brining or Marination (Optional)

While not mandatory, brining or marinating the chicken breasts can take their flavour and juiciness to the next level. For brining, simply sprinkle salt over the chicken and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. For marination, you can use Italian dressing or a blend of olive oil, spices, and herbs. Let the chicken breasts soak up the flavours for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours before cooking. Remember to pat the chicken dry after marination to ensure a crisp exterior.

By following these tips and choosing the right chicken breasts, you'll be well on your way to creating mouth-watering fried boneless chicken in your air fryer!

Preparing the chicken

Step 1: Brining (optional but recommended)

Brining is a process of salting meat and letting it rest before cooking. It helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, making it more juicy and flavourful. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (simply sprinkling salt over the meat). If you choose to brine your chicken, place it on a plate and sprinkle it with salt, then leave it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken breasts

Take the chicken breasts out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. If you didn't brine the chicken, sprinkle it with salt now. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and helps to tenderise the meat.

Step 3: Make the seasoning

In a small bowl, mix together your chosen seasonings. You can use a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, or get creative with other herbs and spices like rosemary, sage, thyme, or cajun seasoning. You can also add a little brown sugar and cornstarch for extra flavour and crispiness.

Step 4: Coat the chicken

Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle it with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat, ensuring that the spices are evenly distributed on both sides. You can also use your hands to rub the spices into the meat.

Step 5: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Most air fryers will take around 3 minutes to heat up.

Step 6: Cook the chicken

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6-7 minutes. Then, use tongs to carefully flip the chicken over and continue cooking for another 2-8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 7: Rest the chicken

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures that your chicken stays moist and juicy.

Tips for the best air fryer chicken:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space between the chicken breasts to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcook the chicken. Keep a close eye on it towards the end of the cooking time and use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly.
• Don't skip the brining step if you can help it. It makes a big difference in the juiciness and flavour of the meat.
• You can use frozen chicken breasts, but be sure to thaw them first for the best texture.

Now you're ready to make delicious, juicy, and tender air fryer chicken breasts!

Cooking the chicken

The key to cooking juicy chicken in an air fryer is to not overcook it. You can also brine the chicken beforehand to ensure it stays moist. To brine the chicken, sprinkle it with salt and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. You can also use a wet brine by dissolving the salt in water and submerging the chicken in the solution.

If you're using frozen chicken, it's best to thaw it first before cooking. You can also cook frozen chicken in the air fryer, but the results won't be as juicy.

Before cooking, lightly pound the chicken with a mallet or your palm to ensure it's an even thickness. This will help the chicken cook evenly. You can also cut the chicken into thin, flat pieces to ensure even cooking and more surface area for the seasoning.

Brush or drizzle the chicken with olive oil or avocado oil to help the seasonings stick. You can use any combination of seasonings you like. A simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper works well. You can also use Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, or chicken spice.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 360-375°F (190°C) for 7-10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Small breasts (around 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.

Check the temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it's cooked through. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165°F (73-74°C). Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Resting the chicken

The internal temperature of the chicken will also increase by several degrees while it rests, so it's important to remove the chicken from the air fryer a few degrees early. The ideal temperature for chicken is 165°F, but you can remove the chicken when it reaches 155-160°F as the temperature will continue to increase while it rests.

You can also rest the chicken before cooking. Brining the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking will improve the texture and flavour, making the meat juicy, plump, and well-seasoned.

Serving suggestions

This juicy, tender, and golden fried boneless chicken breast is a versatile dish that can be served in multiple ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Salads: Slice or shred the chicken and add it to your favourite salad. It pairs well with a spinach and strawberry salad or a Caesar salad. You can also add it to a simple green salad or an avocado kale Caesar salad.
• Wraps and Sandwiches: Dice or shred the chicken and use it as a filling for wraps or sandwiches. It can be added to a chicken Caesar wrap or an avocado grilled cheese sandwich.
• Rice Bowls: Slice the chicken and serve it on a bed of rice with your choice of vegetables and sauces. It goes well with a green rice bowl or a rice bowl with creamy corn.
• Tacos: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and use it as a filling for tacos. It can be used in chicken tacos or paired with a lime crema for a flavourful twist.
• Pasta: Add the chicken to a veggie pasta dish or toss it with Brussels sprouts pasta and brown butter. It can also be mixed with creamy kale pasta or mushroom gnocchi.
• Sides: Serve the chicken with a variety of sides such as roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, air fryer mushrooms, mashed potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, air fryer asparagus, or arugula salad.
• Dips and Sauces: Pair the chicken with dips and sauces like a house-made gochujang dipping sauce, homemade ranch, or a lime crema.
• Other Dishes: The chicken can be used in stir-fries, pizzas, fried rice, or soups. It can also be served with oven-baked fries, Middle Eastern Batata Harra, or cheesy mashed potato cakes.

Frequently asked questions