Air Fryer Chicken: Perfectly Crispy And Juicy

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, and they can be used to make a variety of dishes, from salads to soups and sandwiches. The key to getting juicy, tender chicken breasts is to flatten and even out the thickness of the meat, and to not overcook it. You can also brine or marinate the chicken to add flavour and moisture.

To make the best air fryer chicken, start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Then, season or marinate the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings or marinades, such as Italian dressing, or a blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. After seasoning or marinating, place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at around 360-415°F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer, and flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Choosing the right chicken breasts

Size Matters

When it comes to air fryer chicken, size definitely matters. Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are around 7 to 8 ounces in weight. This size ensures even cooking and juicy results. Larger breasts will take longer to cook, so adjust your cooking time accordingly. If you're using frozen chicken breasts, be sure to defrost them in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours before cooking.

Pounding Technique

Boneless skinless chicken breasts typically have a thicker end and a thinner end. To ensure even cooking, place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover them with plastic wrap, and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness. This technique helps prevent undercooked or overcooked spots in your chicken.

Brining and Marinating

Brining or marinating your chicken breasts can take your air fryer chicken to the next level. Brining involves submerging the chicken in a saltwater solution or sprinkling it with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This process helps the chicken absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in juicier and more flavourful meat.

Alternatively, you can marinate your chicken breasts in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce or Italian dressing for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just be sure to pat the chicken dry before placing it in the air fryer.

Spices and Seasonings

A well-seasoned chicken breast is key to a delicious air fryer chicken dish. You can use a simple mix of spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Play around with other dried herbs like oregano or parsley to find your perfect blend. Don't be afraid to experiment with different spice combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.

Oil for Moisture

Coating your chicken breasts with a light layer of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, before seasoning is essential. This step helps the spices adhere to the meat and keeps the chicken moist during the air frying process. It also promotes a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Remember, choosing the right chicken breasts and preparing them properly is key to making the best air fryer chicken. Follow these tips, and you'll be on your way to juicy, tender, and flavourful air fryer chicken perfection!

Preparing the chicken

Cut and Pound the Chicken:

• Cut the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. The goal is to achieve a uniform thickness across the entire breast, ensuring even cooking and juicy results. You can use a sharp knife to slice the chicken or place it between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound it with a meat mallet or rolling pin until it reaches the desired thickness.
• It is recommended to aim for a thickness of around 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly and remains moist.

Brining or Marination (Optional but Recommended):

• Brining or marinating the chicken is an optional step but can add a lot of flavor and moisture to your chicken.
• For brining, sprinkle kosher salt or sea salt generously over the chicken and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Brining enhances the flavor and texture of the meat.
• For marination, you can use various ingredients such as Italian dressing, buttermilk, hot sauce, or a blend of your favorite spices and herbs. Place the chicken in a container or ziplock bag, add your chosen marinade, and let it soak in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Seasoning the Chicken:

• After cutting and optionally brining or marinating, it's time to season the chicken. Remove the chicken from the brine or marinade and pat it dry with paper towels.
• Drizzle or brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil or avocado oil. Make sure the chicken is well-coated.
• Prepare your seasoning blend by mixing spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, or any other spices of your choice. You can also use a pre-made seasoning blend like McCormick Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning.
• Sprinkle the seasoning blend generously over the chicken, ensuring both sides are well-coated. Use your hands to rub the spices into the meat, ensuring an even distribution.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 360-415°F(180-210°C). Most air fryers have a preheat setting, or you can simply set the temperature and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding the chicken.

Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer:

• Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a bit of space between them. The chicken pieces can touch but should not overlap, as this will affect air circulation and even cooking.
• If you have a large batch of chicken, you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Cook the Chicken:

• Once the air fryer is preheated and the chicken is arranged, it's time to start cooking. The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and the temperature of your air fryer.
• For smaller chicken breasts (around 5-7 ounces), cook for 7-10 minutes.
• For medium-sized breasts (8-10 ounces), cook for 10-12 minutes.
• For larger breasts (11 ounces or more), cook for 12-16 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a built-in temperature probe, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken.
• Flip the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Rest and Serve:

• Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken stays moist and juicy.
• Serve your air fryer chicken with your favorite sides, such as roasted potatoes, asparagus, or a simple green salad.

By following these detailed steps for preparing the chicken, you'll be well on your way to making the best air fryer chicken that's juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked!

Cooking the chicken

The first step is to prepare the chicken. You can either season the chicken with salt and pepper or marinate it in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce for 5 to 10 minutes, or even up to 24 hours if you're prepping in advance.

Next, you'll want to bread the chicken. This can be done by coating the chicken in a mixture of flour and your choice of seasoning. Some seasoning options include Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning. You can also add a little oil to help the spices stick.

Now it's time to cook the chicken in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in the air fryer, making sure the pieces are not overlapping. Cook for around 9-18 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Resting the chicken

The amount of resting time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the desired level of doneness. For smaller breasts, 5 minutes of resting time may be sufficient, while larger breasts may need up to 10 minutes. It is important not to overcook the chicken, as this can lead to dry and rubbery meat. Checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness. The target internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but some people prefer to remove the chicken from the air fryer at around 155 to 160 degrees and let the carryover cooking finish the job.

While the chicken is resting, you can prepare some sides or a sauce to go with it. Some suggested sides include roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, air fryer mushrooms, salads, pasta dishes, or steamed vegetables. You can also make a dipping sauce by mixing mayonnaise, gochujang sauce, grated garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.

Once the resting time is complete, you can slice into the chicken and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Air fryer chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Salads: Dice or shred the chicken and add it to your favourite green salad, such as a spinach strawberry salad. You can also try it with a simple green salad, a roasted peanut kale salad, or an avocado kale Caesar salad.
• 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 for an extra protein boost.
• Pasta: Toss the chicken with a veggie pasta dish, like Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter, or creamy wild rice mushroom soup.
• Pizza: Use your air fryer chicken to make a scrumptious buffalo chicken pizza.
• Stir Fry: Add the chicken to a vegetable lo mein or any other stir-fry dish.
• Sandwiches: Use the chicken in a classic chicken sandwich or a spicy chicken sandwich.
• Tacos: Shred the chicken and use it as a filling for tacos or chicken quesadillas.
• Soups: Chop up the chicken and add it to soups like chicken and rice soup, creamy chicken wild rice soup, or chicken tortilla soup.
• Casseroles: Use the chicken in casseroles such as chicken pot pie.
• Sides: Serve the air fryer chicken with a variety of sides such as roasted potatoes and carrots, roasted broccoli, or air fryer asparagus.
• Dips: Serve the chicken with a side of dips like a gochujang dipping sauce or healthy cheddar cheese sauce.
• Bowls: Create rice or salad bowls with the chicken, such as a rice bowl with green rice and creamy corn, or a simple green salad bowl.

Frequently asked questions