Air-Fryer Chicken: Thin Slices, Crispy Results

Thinly sliced chicken breast is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or used in sandwiches, salads, and more. Here's a guide on how to make thin sliced chicken breast in an air fryer.

First, you'll need thin chicken breast cutlets. You can either buy pre-sliced cutlets or slice a whole chicken breast into thin pieces. If you're slicing it yourself, freeze the chicken for 20-30 minutes beforehand to make it easier to cut.

Next, prepare a breading station with a shallow bowl of beaten eggs and another shallow bowl of breadcrumbs mixed with your desired seasonings. You can also add flour to a third bowl if you want a lighter crust. Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg, then the breadcrumbs, ensuring it's thoroughly coated.

Now, it's time to cook the chicken. Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the tops of the chicken with more cooking spray or olive oil spray.

Cook the chicken for around 10 minutes at 400°F or 15 minutes at 380°F, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken and the size of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Your thin sliced chicken breast is now ready to be served! Enjoy!

Cut chicken breasts into thin, even slices

To make thin, even slices of chicken breast, start by placing the chicken breast on a cutting board. Hold it flat with your hand, and then use a sharp knife to slice the breast in half lengthwise into two evenly sized pieces. You can also freeze the chicken breasts for 20-30 minutes before cutting as this makes it easier to slice through.

Next, place the thin chicken breasts in a plastic bag or between plastic wrap. Pound them with a meat mallet or heavy skillet until they are about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chicken cutlets.

It is important to ensure that the chicken cutlets are of even thickness to ensure they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Brine chicken in a salt water solution

Brining chicken in a saltwater solution is a great way to add flavour and moisture to your chicken breast. The salt in the brine breaks down the protein structure of the chicken, making it more tender and allowing it to retain moisture during cooking.

To make a brine, you'll need salt and water. Some recipes also call for granulated sugar, which balances out the saltiness of the brine. The basic ratio of salt to water for a brine is 4 tablespoons of kosher salt per 1 quart (4 cups) of water. If you are using fine table salt, reduce the amount to 3 tablespoons. You can also add dried herbs and spices to your brine for extra flavour.

When making your brine, it's important to use cold water. Warm water can affect the penetration of the brine into the chicken, resulting in less tender and juicy meat. Stir the salt and water together until the salt is dissolved. You can also add your herbs and spices at this stage.

Once your brine is ready, add your chicken breasts and let them soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours. If you're brining for more than 30 minutes, it's best to refrigerate the chicken to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. After brining, remove the chicken from the brine, pat it dry, and it's ready to cook!

Bread chicken with panko, flour, and egg

Panko breadcrumbs are a great way to get crispy, juicy chicken without the need for oil. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious air-fried chicken with panko, flour, and egg:

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Flour
• Eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper
• Any additional spices or seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Parmesan cheese)

Instructions:

• Slice the chicken breasts into thin, even pieces.
• Set up your breading station with three shallow bowls or plates: one with flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with the panko breadcrumbs mixed with your desired seasonings.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
• Take each piece of chicken and dip it first in the flour, then the egg, and finally the panko mixture, ensuring it is thoroughly coated each time.
• Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overlap them. Spray the tops with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Air fry at 375-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is ready when it is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Your air-fried chicken with panko, flour, and egg is now ready to be served! Enjoy it as is or use it in sandwiches, salads, or your favourite chicken dishes like chicken parmesan.

Season with spices and herbs

Seasoning and spices are key to adding flavour to your chicken breast. You can go down the route of a dry rub, or a wet marinade. For a dry rub, you can use a pre-made spice mix, or make your own. For example, a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Or, for a simple option, just salt and pepper. For a wet marinade, you can use a brine of salt and water, or a mixture of oil, herbs, and spices. For example, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dried parsley.

If you are using a dry rub, simply toss the spices together and sprinkle over the chicken pieces in a bowl. If you are using a wet marinade, you can use a bowl or a plastic bag to coat the chicken. Make sure every piece is well covered. You can leave the chicken to sit with the spices for a short time, or even up to 24 hours in the fridge, but if you are using cornstarch, it is best to add this just before cooking.

Cook in air fryer for 10-15 minutes

Once you've sliced your chicken breast into thin, flat pieces, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Cooking the Chicken in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-415°F.
• Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded and have enough space for airflow.
• Spray the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray.
• Air fry the chicken for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken pieces.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. It should reach 165°F to ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
• Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a moment before slicing and serving.

Your juicy and golden-brown air-fried chicken breast is now ready to be enjoyed!

Frequently asked questions