Air-Fryer Chicken: The Perfect Way To Crisp Perfection

How to Make Raw Chicken in the Air Fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, giving it a nice firm, juicy texture, much like roasted or baked chicken. It's also quicker, more energy-efficient, and easy to clean.

How to Cook Raw Chicken in an Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Then, rub or mist the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or your choice of seasonings. You can also marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for extra flavour.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Flip the chicken halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips

- If you want crispier chicken, you can coat it with a mixture of spices, brown sugar, and cornstarch before air frying.

- For even cooking, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning.

- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space for air to circulate around the chicken.

- If you're adding vegetables, put them in the air fryer basket at the halfway point.

How to season chicken for the air fryer

Before we get into the specifics of seasoning chicken for the air fryer, let's talk about why seasoning chicken is so important. Seasoning chicken adds flavour and moisture to the meat, ensuring that it tastes delicious and has a juicy texture.

Brining: The First Step to Seasoning Chicken

Brining is the process of salting meat and letting it rest before cooking. This technique is often recommended for chicken cooked in an air fryer, as it helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in chicken that is seasoned throughout, rather than just on the outside. You can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).

Choosing Your Seasonings

When it comes to choosing seasonings for your chicken, the options are endless! You can use a simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or get creative with spices like paprika, onion powder, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cumin, or cayenne pepper. You can also add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar, or use a pre-made seasoning blend like taco or fajita seasoning. Play around with different combinations to find your favourite!

Coating the Chicken

Once you've selected your seasonings, it's time to coat the chicken. Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels. Then, rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, which will help the seasonings stick to the meat. Next, generously apply your chosen spice blend to both sides of the chicken, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavour.

Air Frying Tips

When you're ready to cook your chicken, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 350-400°F. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes on one side, then flip and continue cooking for 5-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The exact cook time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts, but you're aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.

Serving Suggestions

This air fryer chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Try it on a salad, with roasted veggies and sweet potatoes, mixed into a pasta salad, in a wrap or sandwich, or simply enjoy it as-is!

Storing and Reheating

This air fryer chicken recipe is great for meal prep! You can store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop the chicken back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or gently rewarm it in the oven or microwave.

Final Thoughts

Experiment with different seasonings and find your favourite combinations! Air fryer chicken is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy juicy, flavourful chicken.

How to prepare your chicken for the air fryer

Preparing chicken for the air fryer is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Here is a detailed guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Cut and Pound the Chicken

First, take your chicken breasts and cut them into thin, flat pieces. This step ensures even cooking and enhances the flavour by increasing the surface area for the seasoning to coat. Place the chicken on a cutting board and cover it with plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or even your palm, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness. This step helps ensure the chicken cooks evenly and prevents it from drying out.

Step 2: Seasoning or Marinade

Now it's time to add flavour to your chicken! You can choose to season or marinate your chicken, depending on your preference and the amount of time you have.

Seasoning:

In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other spices or herbs of your choice. You can also add a little olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the chicken. Coat the chicken pieces evenly with the spice mixture.

Marinade:

If you have more time, you can marinate your chicken in a Ziplock bag with your favourite marinade. Italian dressing is a great option, but you can also use other options like lemon juice, yoghurt, or buttermilk. Leave the chicken in the marinade for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours for maximum flavour. After marinating, remember to pat the chicken dry with paper towels before placing it in the air fryer.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to around 360-400°F (180-200°C). Check your specific air fryer model for the best temperature and preheat settings.

Step 4: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Spray the basket of your preheated air fryer with non-stick spray. Place the chicken pieces in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. They can touch but need some space for airflow.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken

Follow the recommended cooking times based on the size of your chicken breasts. For smaller breasts (around 5-7 oz), cook for 10-12 minutes. For medium breasts (8-10 oz), cook for 13-15 minutes. Larger breasts (over 10 oz) may take up to 18-20 minutes.

For best results, flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165°F (74°C), but you can remove it from the air fryer at around 155-160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once your chicken has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This step helps retain moisture and ensures juicy, tender chicken. After resting, your chicken is ready to be sliced and served!

Preparing chicken in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook juicy and flavourful chicken. With these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious air-fried chicken dishes!

How long to cook chicken in the air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer.

Cooking Times for Different Sizes of Chicken Breasts

Small chicken breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes

Medium chicken breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes

Large chicken breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

• Thickness of the chicken breasts: For thicker chicken breasts, it is recommended to pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the chicken from drying out.
• Air fryer model: Different air fryer models may have slightly different cooking times due to variations in temperature settings and heat distribution. It is recommended to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer model.
• Desired level of doneness: The cooking time may vary depending on whether you prefer your chicken to be more well-done or slightly rarer. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should reach 165°F for poultry.

How to serve air fryer chicken

There are many ways to serve air fryer chicken. Here are some ideas:

Salads

You can add the chicken to your favourite salad recipe, such as a spinach strawberry salad or a roasted peanut kale salad.

Pasta

Add the chicken to a veggie pasta dish, such as Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter, or creamy kale pasta.

Pizza

Use the chicken to make a scrumptious buffalo chicken pizza.

Stir Fry

Add the chicken to a vegetable lo mein or a simple stir fry with your favourite vegetables.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Use the chicken to make a chicken Caesar wrap, or add it to an avocado grilled cheese sandwich with herbed goat cheese and garlic. You could also make chicken tacos or Thai peanut wraps.

With Sides

Serve the chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots, or simple green salads.

How to reheat air fryer chicken

Preparation

Take your chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This helps it heat more evenly when you reheat it.

If you want to add a bit of crispiness to your chicken, brush the chicken breast with a little bit of oil or use a cooking spray.

Reheating the Chicken

Place the chicken breast in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for the air to circulate. If you're reheating bigger pieces, you may need to do this in batches.

Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the chicken. Flip the chicken after 6 minutes for even reheating. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, it could take between 10 and 20 minutes for them to heat through.

After the 6-minute flip, start checking the internal temperature of the chicken breast using a meat thermometer. It should register at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's thoroughly reheated and safe to eat.

Optional Crisping Step

If you prefer your air fryer chicken to be a bit crispier, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking time. Be careful not to overcook the chicken.

Top Tips for Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as it can prevent proper air circulation and result in uneven reheating.
• If your chicken is coated with sauce or breadcrumbs, place it on parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Remember to adjust the reheating time based on the thickness of your chicken pieces.
• Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it's thoroughly reheated to 165°F (74°C).
• Experiment with seasonings or sauces to add extra flavour to your reheated chicken.

The time needed to reheat chicken in an air fryer can vary depending on factors like the thickness of the chicken, the starting temperature, and the model of the air fryer. Here's a rough guide:

• Smaller pieces: 6-10 minutes
• Larger pieces: 10-15 minutes
• Very large or bone-in pieces: 15-20 minutes

Frequently asked questions