Golden Crispy Chicken In An Air Fryer: Quick And Easy!

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, offering a healthier and more convenient way to cook crispy and flavorful dishes. One of the most impressive things you can cook in an air fryer is chicken, and it can be done in a variety of ways. You can cook a whole chicken, chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, and more. The key to getting that golden brown color and crispy texture is to use a light spray of cooking oil or an oil sprayer. You can also use a variety of seasonings and spices to add flavor to your chicken.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

When it comes to selecting the type of chicken, you have the option of choosing between bone-in and boneless, as well as skin-on and skinless chicken pieces. Each option has its advantages and will impact the cooking process and final texture of your dish.

Bone-in and skin-on chicken pieces, such as thighs, drumsticks, and breasts, tend to have more flavour and moisture. The bones and skin help retain moisture during cooking, resulting in juicy and tender meat. This option is excellent if you want to create a dish with a variety of textures.

On the other hand, boneless and skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for those seeking convenience and faster cooking times. They are easy to work with and can be sliced into thinner pieces, ensuring even cooking. Boneless chicken is a good option if you prefer a more consistent texture throughout your dish.

Freshness and Quality

Always opt for fresh, high-quality chicken when preparing this dish. Look for chicken with a moist appearance and a pale pink colour. Avoid chicken with discoloured or dry spots, as this may indicate that it is past its prime. If possible, purchase chicken with a trusted quality grade to ensure the best results.

Amount of Chicken

When air-frying chicken, it's important to consider the size of your air fryer and the amount of chicken you plan to cook. Most air fryers can comfortably accommodate a whole chicken weighing between 3 to 4 pounds. However, if you're cooking multiple pieces, ensure they're not overcrowded in the air fryer basket, as this can affect cooking times and browning.

Preparation

Before cooking your chicken in the air fryer, it's crucial to prepare it properly. Remove any giblets from the cavity and rinse the chicken thoroughly with cold water. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, which can impact the browning and crispiness of the final dish.

Additionally, consider marinating your chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and spices to add flavour and moisture. This step is entirely optional but can enhance the taste and texture of your chicken. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes after seasoning or marinating to ensure the seasonings penetrate the meat.

In conclusion, choosing the right chicken for your golden brown air fryer dish involves selecting the appropriate type, ensuring freshness and quality, considering the amount of chicken relative to your air fryer's capacity, and properly preparing the chicken before cooking. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and golden brown air-fried chicken.

Marinating the chicken

Choose the Right Chicken

Select a whole chicken that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. A 3 to 4-pound chicken is ideal for most air fryers. You can also opt for boneless and skinless chicken breasts, or a mix of bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks.

Prepare the Chicken

Remove any giblets from the chicken cavity and rinse the chicken thoroughly with cold water. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help the chicken cook more evenly.

Season the Chicken

Generously season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and your choice of herbs and spices. You can use a store-bought poultry seasoning or create your custom blend. Try a combination of chicken spice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, or any herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or sage. Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings to find your perfect blend.

Massage the Seasonings

Use your hands to massage the seasonings into the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated. This step helps the flavours penetrate the meat.

Let it Rest

Allow the seasoned chicken to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before placing it in the air fryer. This step is crucial, as it gives the seasonings time to work their magic and enhance the flavour of the chicken.

Marinating Time

For optimal results, marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes to allow the spices and buttermilk to thicken. You can also marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator if you want to prepare it in advance.

Pat Dry

Before coating the chicken with the marinade and breading mixture, pat it dry with paper towels. This step will ensure that your chicken is extra crispy and juicy after air frying.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly marinated chicken that is ready to be cooked in your air fryer. Remember to be creative with your seasonings and don't be afraid to experiment with different flavours.

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes will require you to preheat the air fryer to around 350°F to 400°F. This step is crucial as it ensures the air fryer is hot enough to cook your food evenly. The preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

Next, prepare the air fryer basket. Line the basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil to make cleaning easier afterwards. This step is optional but highly recommended, especially if you're cooking something that might cause a lot of mess or leave sticky residue.

If you're using an oil sprayer, which is recommended for achieving that golden-brown colour, spray the basket lightly with oil. This will help prevent sticking and promote even browning. Be sure to use an oil sprayer rather than an aerosol cooking spray, as the latter can cause the coating on the air fryer basket to flake off.

At this point, you can also season the basket with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice, if desired. This is entirely optional but can add extra flavour to your dish.

Once your air fryer is preheated and the basket is prepared, you're ready to place your food inside and start cooking! Remember to arrange your food in a single layer, leaving space for air to circulate, for the best results.

Finally, if you're cooking in batches, be sure to let the air fryer heat up again between batches. This ensures consistent cooking results for each batch.

Air-frying the chicken

The key to achieving that golden brown colour when air-frying chicken is to spray the chicken with a light coating of oil. This will help the chicken brown evenly and give it a crispy texture. You can use an oil sprayer for this, or you can use cooking spray, but be aware that aerosol cooking spray can cause the coating on your air fryer basket to flake off.

Before air-frying, you should also ensure that your chicken is well-coated in your chosen seasoning and that your air fryer is preheated to the correct temperature.

If you are cooking a whole chicken, you should place it breast-side up in the air fryer basket and cook for around 30 minutes at 375°F (190°C). You can flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure it browns evenly. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.

If you are cooking chicken breasts, you should cook them for around 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C) and then flip them and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

If you are cooking chicken strips or nuggets, you should cook them for around 10 minutes at 415°F (213°C). You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your chicken pieces.

When air-frying chicken, it is important to ensure that the pieces are not touching and that there is good airflow around them. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Resting and serving the chicken

Once your chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, it's time to take it out of the air fryer and let it rest. Place the chicken on a plate and leave it to rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy chicken.

While the chicken rests, you can prepare any sides you want to serve with it. Some great options include salad, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, Brussels sprouts, or air fryer asparagus.

After the chicken has rested, it's ready to be served! You can carve it into pieces if you cooked a whole chicken, or simply serve the individual pieces as they are. Enjoy your juicy, golden-brown air-fried chicken!

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken in a ziplock bag for up to 6 months. To reheat, avoid using the microwave, as this will make the skin soggy. Instead, reheat the chicken in the air fryer or a preheated oven to retain its crispiness.

Frequently asked questions