Ella Walter
Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, with the promise of juicy, tender meat and a crispy, golden brown crust. You can cook chicken breasts or thighs, and even a whole chicken, in an air fryer, and it's a quick and energy-efficient way to get dinner on the table. You can also use an air fryer to cook other foods, like french fries, chicken wings, grilled cheese, and vegetables. So, if you're wondering whether you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer, the answer is yes!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can an air fryer cook raw chicken? | Yes |
| What is the ideal temperature? | 360-380°F |
| How long does it take to cook raw chicken in an air fryer? | 10-20 minutes |
| Can frozen chicken be cooked in an air fryer? | Yes, but it is recommended to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts |
| Can I use a brine solution? | Yes, but it is not necessary |
| Can I use a marinade? | Yes |
| How long should I rest the chicken after cooking? | 5-10 minutes |
| What is the ideal internal temperature of the chicken? | 165°F |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer settings and temperatures
Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, giving it a nice firm, juicy texture, much like roasted or baked chicken. It is also a quick and energy-efficient way to cook chicken.
When cooking chicken in an air fryer, the main difference is that you will not be using a pan. The chicken goes straight into the air fryer basket. However, if you have something saucy or with cheese, you can use a tray or aluminium foil.
The air fryer cooks chicken more quickly than a regular oven, so you should set your timer for 30-40% less time than you would normally. For example, chicken breasts take around 15 minutes in the air fryer but 20+ minutes in a regular oven.
Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius). You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure it doesn't touch the bone.
For frozen chicken, you can start by cooking 3-4 pieces at 380F (200C) for 15 minutes on each side. Then, turn up the temperature to 400F (220C) and cook for another couple of minutes to crisp it up, if needed.
For a whole chicken, use a temperature of 360F and cook the chicken breast side down for 30 minutes. Then, flip it over and cook for another 12-22 minutes until the internal temperature is 165F.
For chicken breasts, you can cook them at 375F for 6 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 2 to 8 minutes.
If you are cooking chicken nuggets, you can cook them at 350F for about 8 minutes on each side.
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Chicken preparation
Preparing chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook chicken, with the added benefit of using less energy than a conventional oven. The chicken can be seasoned or marinated before cooking, and the air fryer can also be used to cook frozen chicken.
To prepare chicken in an air fryer, start by seasoning the chicken. You can use a dry rub, a marinade, or a brine. If you are using a dry rub, season the smooth side of the chicken breast first. Spray the chicken with cooking spray, sprinkle with your chosen seasoning, then place the chicken breast, seasoned side down, into the air fryer basket. Spray and season the other side. If you are using a marinade, lightly pound the chicken on a cutting board, season with salt, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Let the chicken come to room temperature, then combine the chicken with olive oil and the spice mixture in a bowl before placing it in the air fryer.
If you are cooking chicken breasts, you can cook as many as will fit in the basket of your air fryer, but make sure they are not overlapping. You can also brine the chicken breasts before cooking to make them extra juicy, and you can pound them to an even thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure they cook evenly.
Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick spray, then place the chicken in the basket. Set the air fryer to your desired temperature and time, depending on the size of your chicken breasts and your preference for crispy skin. For example, you could cook the chicken at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken over and cook for another 10 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts, but it is recommended to cook chicken breasts for around 15 minutes in total.
To check if the chicken is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If the chicken is at this temperature or close to it, you can turn up the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another couple of minutes to crisp it up if needed. If the chicken is not yet at the safe temperature, continue cooking and testing every 5-7 minutes.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for raw chicken in an air fryer depends on the cut of the meat and the number of pieces being cooked. For example, a whole chicken can be cooked in an air fryer in 40 minutes, while chicken breasts take around 15 minutes.
Chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer in 13 to 20 minutes, depending on the recipe. Some recipes suggest cooking chicken breasts for 10 minutes on each side at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, for a total of 20 minutes. Other recipes suggest cooking chicken breasts at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for six minutes, then flipping the chicken and cooking for an additional two to eight minutes.
The cooking time will also depend on the number of chicken breasts being cooked. Some sources say that the total cooking time remains the same whether you air fry one chicken breast or as many as will fit inside the basket without overlapping. Other sources suggest cooking three to four chicken breast pieces at 380 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes, then flipping them and cooking for another 15 minutes.
It is important to note that chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, not touching any bone. If the chicken is not at the safe temperature, it should be left in the air fryer and checked every five to seven minutes. If the chicken is at the correct temperature, the air fryer can be turned up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) and cooked for another couple of minutes to crisp it up if needed.
It is important to pay close attention to the cooking time when using an air fryer, as the chicken will continue to cook and dry out even after the air fryer has shut off. Chicken should be removed from the air fryer promptly and allowed to rest for at least five minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier chicken.
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Chicken texture
Air-fried chicken has a firm, juicy texture, similar to roasted or baked chicken. The texture is tender and juicy, and the outside is golden and crispy.
To achieve this texture, it is important to cook the chicken thoroughly but not to overcook it. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 °F, but some people recommend removing the chicken from the air fryer at 155–160 °F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests. This will result in a juicy texture without being undercooked.
The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and the number of breasts being cooked. It is important to not crowd the basket, but the breasts can be touching. The total cooking time will remain the same whether you cook one breast or several. The breasts should be flipped halfway through to ensure even cooking.
To achieve a crispy, golden brown crust, the chicken can be coated in a dry rub or a marinade. The chicken can also be brined, but this is not necessary, as the chicken will be juicy and flavorful without it.
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Chicken storage
If you plan to cook chicken in the next 1-2 days, it can be stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to place it on the bottom shelf on a plate or tray so that any leaks will not drip onto other food. It should be noted that fresh, uncooked chicken should be kept away from other meats in the refrigerator.
If you don't plan to cook the chicken for a few days, it is best to store it in the freezer. To prevent freezer burn, it is recommended to wrap individual pieces in foil or plastic bags, then place all wrapped pieces into a larger freezer bag. Press out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing and storing it in the freezer. This method can keep chicken safe to eat indefinitely, although the texture and flavour may degrade over time.
If you plan to use frozen chicken, it is best to thaw it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before cooking. Place it on a tray or plate on the bottom shelf to catch any leaks. Do not thaw frozen chicken on the counter. Once thawed, it is recommended to cook and eat the chicken within 1-2 days.
Now, onto cooking chicken in an air fryer. It is indeed possible to cook raw chicken in an air fryer, and it can even be done straight from frozen! The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 13-15 minutes for chicken breasts and 40 minutes for a whole chicken. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) to be considered safe to eat.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. You can cook it straight from frozen or use thawed chicken breasts.
The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Chicken breasts take around 15 minutes in the air fryer but 20+ minutes in a regular oven. A whole chicken can be cooked in 40 minutes in an air fryer, but in a regular oven, it would take an hour.
Food safety guidelines recommend cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. However, you can take the chicken out of the air fryer when it reaches 160°F as the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken.
