Tiffany Haney
Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. Bone-in chicken breasts are a great option for a juicy and flavourful dish, with the bone and skin helping to keep the meat moist during cooking. The air fryer's convection heat means that the chicken cooks evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior without drying out the inside. This method of cooking chicken is also cost-efficient, as bone-in chicken breasts are usually cheaper than boneless ones. You can season the chicken with your favourite herbs and spices, or even coat it in a breading for an extra crispy texture.
Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breast
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Internal Temperature | 165 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, oregano, Chinese 5-spice, Cajun seasoning |
| Sides | Air fryer vegetables, garlic bread, mashed potatoes, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, salad |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days |
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for bone-in chicken breasts in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the air fryer model. As a general rule, larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook, while smaller ones will cook faster.
Most sources recommend cooking bone-in chicken breasts in the air fryer for around 20 to 30 minutes. More specifically, one source recommends cooking for 25 to 27 minutes, while another suggests 25 minutes for smaller breasts and a little longer for larger ones. One outlier suggests cooking for 40 to 50 minutes, but this is for split chicken breasts cooked in the oven rather than an air fryer.
It's important to ensure the chicken is cooked through without becoming dry. The best way to do this is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F, but you can remove it from the heat at 155°F as the temperature will continue to rise while it rests.
Before cooking, it's recommended to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior. The ideal temperature for air frying chicken is 375°F, although some sources suggest 400°F.
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Seasoning and spices
There are a few ways to season your chicken. You can use a simple seasoning salt, or a blend of your favourite herbs and spices. You can also use a dry rub with chilli powder, cumin, and oregano, or a blend like Montreal Chicken Seasoning. If you want to add a little extra flavour, try using a high-quality olive oil or avocado oil, or even a combination of oil and cornstarch.
For a sweet and spicy kick, coat your chicken with a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes. Or, for a more simple approach, just use salt and pepper, or lemon, salt, and pepper. If you want to get that crispy skin, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning and then place it skin-side down in the air fryer.
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Brining
You can use a wet brine or a dry brine. A wet brine involves submerging the chicken in a saltwater solution for around 30 minutes, or up to an hour if you have the time. A dry brine is less messy and involves sprinkling salt over the meat and leaving it uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to a day.
If you are using frozen chicken, you won't be able to brine it first, but you can still cook it in the air fryer. It is best to thaw frozen chicken before cooking to get the best results.
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Flipping
The bone-in chicken breasts should be flipped with about 10 minutes of cooking time left. This means cooking the chicken for 15 minutes, flipping, and then cooking for an additional 8-10 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit when it is done. This can be checked with a quick-read thermometer.
If you are cooking multiple chicken breasts, it is important to check the temperature of each one and remove any that are done to avoid overcooking. Overcooked chicken will be dry and less juicy.
For leftover bone-in chicken breasts, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
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Storing leftovers
If you want to reheat the chicken, you can use a microwave for a quick option, or you can place the leftovers in the air fryer again and heat them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes. Reheating the chicken in the air fryer will give it a bit of crispiness on the outside, but the inside may be slightly drier than when it was freshly cooked.
You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months. While the flavour will remain intact, the skin will lose its crispiness. To thaw the frozen chicken, transfer it to the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Additionally, you can use the leftover chicken in various recipes, such as adding it to a chicken and wild rice casserole or incorporating it into a Cobb salad.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 25 minutes to cook a chicken breast in an air fryer, but larger chicken breasts may take a little longer.
The best temperature for air frying chicken is 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
The best way to check if your chicken is cooked is by using a quick-read thermometer. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
