Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breast: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make fried chicken that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The air fryer method is healthier than deep-frying, as it uses very little oil, and it's also quicker and less messy.

To make fried chicken in an air fryer, you'll first need to prepare your chicken. You can use chicken breast, thighs, drumsticks, tenders, or a mix. If you're using chicken breast, slice it into thin, flat pieces. You can also brine the chicken beforehand to make it super tender and juicy.

Next, prepare your breading or seasoning. This could be seasoned dried breadcrumbs, a mixture of flour and spices, or a combination of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and spices. You'll also need to use a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, to help the breading stick and create a crispy texture.

After coating your chicken pieces with the breading or seasoning, preheat your air fryer to around 390-400°F (200°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd it. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is done when it's golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74-75°C).

Serve your air fryer fried chicken with your favourite sides, such as potatoes, roasted vegetables, salads, or dipping sauces. Enjoy!

How to prepare the chicken for frying

Preparing the chicken for frying is a crucial step in achieving the perfect air-fried chicken breast. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Slicing the Chicken

Start by slicing the boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. This ensures even cooking, juicier meat, and more surface area for the flavour to coat. Aim for thin chicken cutlets, but avoid cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Pat the chicken dry if there is excess moisture.

Coating the Chicken

In a shallow bowl, prepare your coating mixture. You can use seasoned dried breadcrumbs with spices such as chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix the spices and breadcrumbs well. You can also add a little oil to the breadcrumbs to help them stick to the chicken and create a crispier texture.

Next, coat each piece of chicken thoroughly with the breading mixture. Make sure the chicken is well-coated, with no excess breadcrumbs. You can use tongs or your hands for this step, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 390°F (200°C). You can switch it on about 5 minutes before you're ready to start cooking to ensure the chicken doesn't dry out.

Air Frying the Chicken

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully transfer the coated chicken pieces to the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Air fry the chicken for about 12-15 minutes. After the first 8-10 minutes, open the air fryer, flip the chicken, and continue cooking for a few more minutes. Use tongs to handle the chicken, as the basket will be hot.

Checking Doneness

To ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly, use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Alternatively, you can cut into a small piece of chicken to check if it's cooked through.

The best type of chicken to use

There are a few things to consider when choosing the best type of chicken to use for your air fryer fried chicken breast.

Firstly, it is important to decide whether you want to use boneless or bone-in chicken. Boneless chicken cooks faster and is easier to eat, while bone-in chicken has more flavour and moisture. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference.

If you opt for boneless chicken, it is best to choose thinner cuts or slice the chicken into thinner strips before cooking. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the chicken from drying out.

When it comes to the type of chicken breast, you can use either skin-on or skinless chicken. Skin-on chicken will result in crispier skin and juicier meat, while skinless chicken is a healthier option.

For the best results, it is recommended to use chicken breast with the skin on. This will give your fried chicken a delicious crispy texture on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside.

In terms of flavour, you can choose between plain chicken breast or chicken breast seasoned with herbs and spices. If you want a more intense flavour, go for a seasoned chicken breast.

It is also important to consider the size of the chicken breast. If you are using an air fryer, make sure the chicken breast fits comfortably in the basket with enough space for air to circulate.

Finally, the quality of the chicken is crucial. Look for chicken that is fresh, organic, and free-range if possible. This will ensure the best taste and texture.

How to make the breading

The breading is what gives your chicken that crispy, golden texture and mouth-watering flavour. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect breading for your air fryer chicken breast:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by slicing your boneless, skinless chicken breast into thin, flat cutlets or strips. This helps the chicken cook more evenly and quickly, and also increases the surface area for the breading to stick to. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a shallow dish, mix together the dry ingredients for your breading. This typically includes flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. For the seasonings, you can use a variety of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. You can also add baking powder to the mix, as it helps the breading puff up and brown more. Mix everything together until it's well combined.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Now it's time to coat your chicken pieces with the breading mixture. First, drizzle the chicken with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This helps the breading stick to the chicken. Then, coat each chicken piece thoroughly with the dry breading mixture. Make sure every piece is well-coated, with no bare spots. You can use your hands or tongs for this step.

Step 4: Double-Coat for Extra Crispness (Optional)

For an even thicker and crispier coating, you can double-coat the chicken. Simply dip the coated chicken pieces back into the egg mixture, and then coat them with the breading mixture again. This will give you an extra-thick and crunchy crust.

Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection

Once your chicken pieces are coated, it's time to air fry them to golden perfection. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 390-415°F (200°C). Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! With these simple steps, you'll have delicious, crispy, and juicy air fryer chicken breast that rivals any deep-fried version. Enjoy your homemade fried chicken!

How to cook the chicken in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook fried chicken without the mess and health drawbacks of deep-frying. The air fryer's convection power cooks the outside of the chicken to a crisp while keeping the inside moist.

Preparation

Before cooking the chicken, you'll want to prepare it by slicing it into thin, flat pieces. This will ensure more even cooking, juicier chicken, and more flavour coating surface area. You can also brine the chicken beforehand to make it super tender and juicy. To brine the chicken, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 2 cups of room-temperature water and let the chicken sit in the saltwater for at least 15 minutes. After brining, rinse the chicken with freshwater and pat it dry with paper towels.

Next, you'll want to coat the chicken with your chosen breading and seasonings. You can use a traditional flour and egg mixture, or simply coat the chicken with seasoned breadcrumbs and a drizzle of oil. If you're using flour, soak the chicken in buttermilk first to give it that classic fried chicken tenderness. Then, dip it in well-seasoned flour. If you're using breadcrumbs, drizzle the chicken with oil and distribute it so that the chicken is well-coated. Then, coat each piece of chicken with the breadcrumbs. Make sure to season the coating generously, as this is where most of the flavour comes from.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 390°F and 415°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space for air to circulate. You may need to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cooking time will vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer and the thickness of your chicken, but it should take around 10-15 minutes. For thinner chicken, aim for the lower end of this range, and for thicker chicken, it may take a few minutes longer. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.

Serving

Air fryer fried chicken is best served immediately, as it can become soggy if left to sit for too long. It pairs well with potatoes, roasted vegetables, salads, or dipping sauces. Enjoy!

How to store and reheat the chicken

Storing and reheating fried chicken can be tricky, as you want to strike a balance between keeping the meat moist and flavorful, and maintaining the crispiness of the outer layer. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store and reheat your air-fried chicken breast:

Storing Your Chicken:

• Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before storing. This usually takes about an hour.
• Wrap the chicken pieces individually in foil to prevent them from drying out in the refrigerator. Try to avoid layering them on top of each other.
• Store the wrapped chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken. Wrap the pieces tightly in foil or plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating Your Chicken:

• There are several methods you can use to reheat your fried chicken breast, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
• Oven: The oven is one of the best methods to reheat fried chicken as it helps maintain the crispiness of the coating while heating the meat evenly. Preheat your oven to between 375°F and 400°F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lay the chicken pieces on it in a single layer. Reheat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly heated through.
• Air Fryer: If you don't want to use your oven, an air fryer is another good option for reheating fried chicken. It works similarly to a convection oven. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Reheat for 3 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and crispy.
• Stovetop: This method involves frying the chicken again and can be messy, but it delivers crispy results. Heat a heavy-duty skillet or Dutch oven with frying oil to about 350°F. Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil and fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until crispy and heated through.
• Microwave: While it is possible to reheat fried chicken in the microwave, it is not recommended as it can make the chicken soggy. If you choose to use the microwave, place the chicken on a paper towel and heat in short intervals of 20 to 30 seconds, flipping the chicken in between.
• Some people also enjoy eating fried chicken cold or at room temperature. It can be added to salads or sandwiches, or simply enjoyed as-is for a quick snack or lunch.

Frequently asked questions