Air-Fryer Pulled Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken quickly and healthily. Air-fried chicken is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to soups and salads. It's also a fantastic method for meal prep, allowing you to cook chicken at the beginning of the week and use it in various meals throughout. Making pulled chicken in an air fryer is a simple process that yields tender, juicy meat with a lightly browned surface, perfect for pulling apart.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal for making pulled chicken in an air fryer. Chicken breasts are leaner, while chicken thighs have more fat and are inherently juicier and more tender. If you prefer dark meat, opt for boneless and skinless chicken thighs, which have a more profound, meatier taste.

Size and Thickness

When selecting chicken breasts, choose ones that are similar in size and thickness for even cooking. If you have large chicken breasts, consider cutting them in half lengthwise to ensure they cook more quickly and evenly.

Fresh or Frozen

You can use fresh or frozen chicken for this recipe. However, if you're using frozen chicken, ensure it is completely thawed before cooking for even results. Adjust the cooking time, as frozen chicken may take longer to cook.

Quality

Look for high-quality, fresh chicken from a reputable source. Check the "best before" date and ensure the packaging is intact and the chicken looks and smells fresh.

Preparation

Before cooking, trim any excess fat from the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. This preparation step promotes even cooking and helps achieve a crispy exterior. You can also bring the chicken to room temperature before air frying to ensure more tender results.

Seasoning

While you can season your chicken with just salt and pepper, feel free to experiment with different spice blends and seasonings to amp up the flavors. Some popular options include taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and lemon pepper. You can also add a liquid mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard to keep the chicken moist and tender.

Preparing the chicken

Selecting the Chicken

Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for your air fryer pulled chicken. Chicken breasts are leaner, while chicken thighs are fattier and more moist, requiring a slightly longer cooking time. Opt for pieces of similar size to ensure even cooking. If you're using particularly large chicken breasts, cut them in half lengthwise to promote quicker and more even cooking.

Trimming and Drying

Before you begin seasoning, trim any excess fat from the chicken and pat the pieces dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps to achieve a crispier exterior and promotes even cooking.

Seasoning

There are endless possibilities for seasoning your chicken, but a simple and effective combination is salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can also experiment with other spices and herbs like thyme, rosemary, cumin, or chilli powder to add depth of flavour. Don't be afraid to mix and match to find your perfect blend.

Coating

Lightly coat both sides of the chicken with a cooking oil of your choice. Options include olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This step helps to create a browned surface and lock in moisture.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. This step ensures the chicken cooks evenly and efficiently.

Cooking the Chicken

Place the seasoned and coated chicken pieces in the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space between them. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Set the timer for 18-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces. The ideal internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check, inserting it into the thickest part of the meat.

Resting and Shredding

Once your chicken is cooked, transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken stays moist and flavourful. After resting, use your preferred method to shred the chicken. You can use two forks, a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or meat shredder claws.

Cooking the chicken

First, take your chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel. If you're using the giant Costco-sized chicken breasts, cut them in half lengthwise so they are thinner and will cook more quickly. Then, season the chicken. You can use salt and pepper, or get creative with spices and seasonings. Some suggestions include lemon pepper, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, taco seasoning, or even a zesty lemon herb or spicy buffalo twist.

Next, you'll need to lightly coat the chicken with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This will help to create a browned surface and keep the chicken moist.

Now you're ready to cook the chicken in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece so that everything cooks evenly. Set the timer for 18-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when it is fully cooked. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to soak back into the meat, making it more tender and juicy.

Finally, shred the chicken using your preferred method. You can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, meat shredder claws, or the good old two-fork method.

Shredding the chicken

There are several ways to shred the chicken:

Stand Mixer

Place the chicken in a bowl and use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed. Be careful not to use too high a speed, as this can dry out the chicken.

Meat Shredder Claws

Meat shredder claws are a neat gadget that can be purchased for under $10. They are perfect for shredding chicken, as well as pork and beef, and clean-up is easy!

Two-Fork Method

Hold a fork in each hand and shred the chicken by pulling it apart. This method is a bit more labour-intensive, but it works if you don't have any fancy equipment.

Hands

You can also use your clean hands to pull the chicken apart once it has cooled enough that you won't burn your fingers.

Knife

Finally, you can shred the chicken by chopping it with a knife.

Serving suggestions

Pulled chicken from an air fryer is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Sandwiches and Wraps

You can use the pulled chicken as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, and sliders. For a BBQ chicken sandwich, toss the chicken with your favourite barbecue sauce and pile it onto a bun. For a lighter option, you can make a chicken salad sandwich by mixing the pulled chicken with mayonnaise, celery, and other ingredients of your choice.

Tacos, Quesadillas, and Enchiladas

Pulled chicken is an excellent filling for tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos. You can add toppings like avocado, salsa, cheese, and lettuce to make a delicious and satisfying meal.

Salads

The pulled chicken can be added to a bed of mixed greens or a Caesar salad for a protein boost. You can also make a chicken salad by mixing the pulled chicken with mayonnaise, celery, grapes, and other ingredients of your choice.

Pasta, Rice, and Quinoa

You can toss the pulled chicken with pasta and your favourite sauce or serve it over rice or quinoa for a filling and nutritious meal.

Soups

The pulled chicken can be added to soups, such as a chicken noodle soup or a creamy chicken enchilada soup.

Roasted Vegetables

Serve the pulled chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or sweet potatoes, for a nutritious and flavourful meal.

Frequently asked questions