Making chicken in the air fryer is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to prepare this classic protein. With an air fryer, you can cook chicken quickly and without any added oil, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights or for those looking to lighten up their meals. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this guide will show you how to make perfectly crispy and juicy air fryer chicken every time.

To start, you’ll need to choose your chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are a popular choice, but you can also use bone-in chicken pieces or even a whole chicken. Make sure to season your chicken well with your favorite spices or marinade, as this will make a big difference in the final flavor. From there, cooking in the air fryer is as simple as preheating your machine, placing your chicken in the basket, and cooking it at the appropriate temperature and time. So, let’s get started and discover the perfect technique to make your chicken taste delicious!

Shopping for Chicken and Air Fryer

If you’re new to air frying, the first step is to purchase an air fryer. You can find a wide range of air fryers on the market, depending on your budget, preferences and cooking requirements. It’s best to go for a larger air fryer if you’re cooking for a family, or for a small one if you live alone.

Once you have an air fryer, you can start shopping for chicken. You can use any chicken part you love, such as chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, chicken breasts, thighs, or even a whole chicken. It’s best to buy fresh and locally raised chicken if possible. Fresh chicken will taste better and be more flavorful.

Preparing and Marinating the Chicken

Once you have your chicken, you can start preparing it for the air fryer. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry it with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will make the chicken crispy instead of soggy. You can marinate the chicken in your preferred sauce, spices, or seasoning. Marinating the chicken will add more flavor and moisture to the chicken. Popular marinades for chicken include teriyaki, bbq, honey mustard, lemon garlic, and Italian seasoning.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to ensure it reaches the right temperature before adding the chicken. This should take around five minutes. Preheating the air fryer is a crucial step in getting crispy and evenly cooked chicken.

Air Frying the Chicken

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that no pieces overlap, as this may cause uneven cooking. You should cook the chicken for around 20-30 minutes, depending on the type of chicken you’re cooking. Turn the chicken halfway through the cooking time to achieve even cooking.

Checking the Chicken for Doneness

It’s important to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked before serving it. You can check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can cut into the chicken to make sure it’s no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Letting the Chicken Rest

After the chicken is done cooking, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Resting the chicken will help it retain its juices, making it more flavorful and tender.

Serving the Chicken

You can serve your air fried chicken with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, rice, mac and cheese, or salad. Air fried chicken is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any mealtime.

Cleaning the Air Fryer

Cleaning your air fryer is an essential step to keep it functioning correctly and hygienic. Make sure your air fryer is unplugged and cooled before cleaning it. You can clean the air fryer basket with warm water, soap, and a non-abrasive sponge. You can wipe the air fryer unit with a damp cloth.

Experimenting with Different Chicken Recipes

Once you get the hang of air frying chicken, you can start experimenting with different recipes. You can try making buffalo chicken wings, crispy chicken tenders, chicken fajitas, or even chicken parmesan. Air frying chicken is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken that tastes delicious.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make chicken in the air fryer, you can enjoy healthy and delicious chicken dishes in your own home. With a little practice and creativity, you can make a variety of chicken dishes in your air fryer that you and your family will love!

10 Tips for making perfect chicken in the air fryer

Air fryers are an amazing tool for making delicious, crispy and perfectly cooked chicken. Here are 10 tips to get the most out of your air fryer and make the best chicken possible:

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer is essential for getting evenly cooked chicken and crispy skin. Set your air fryer to the desired temperature and let it preheat for a few minutes before adding your chicken.

2. Use the Right Seasoning

Choose the right seasoning for your chicken. Salt and pepper can be a great simple seasoning, but you can also get creative with herbs and spices to create a unique flavor for your chicken.

3. Avoid Overcrowding

Make sure not to overload your air fryer basket with chicken. Overcrowding can result in unevenly cooked chicken, and can also affect how crispy the skin becomes.

4. Shake the Basket Frequently

Shaking the basket during the cooking process is important for ensuring even cooking and crispy skin. Every few minutes, give the basket a gentle shake to redistribute the chicken.

5. Brush with Oil

If you want the skin of your chicken to be extra crispy, brushing it with a little oil can help. Oil helps the skin brown and crisp up nicely in the air fryer.

6. Use a Meat Thermometer

To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

7. Let the Chicken Rest

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to evenly distribute, ensuring a juicy and delicious chicken.

8. Experiment with Different Cuts

Chicken thighs, wings, and breast can all be cooked in the air fryer. Experiment with different cuts and see which ones you like best.

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Frozen Chicken

Air fryers can cook frozen chicken quickly and efficiently. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature to account for the frozen meat.

10. Clean Your Air Fryer Properly

After cooking, be sure to properly clean your air fryer. This will not only keep it functioning properly, but it will also keep your chicken tasting great every time.

Choosing the Right Chicken Cut for your Air Fryer

Air fryers are known for their versatility in cooking a variety of foods, including chicken. Choosing the right chicken cut for your air fryer is crucial to achieve the best results. Here are the different chicken cuts you can choose from:

Chicken Cut Best for Air Fryer Time
Breasts Lean meat, great for grilling or frying 15-20 minutes at 375°F
Thighs Moist and tender meat, great for roasted or grilled dishes 20-25 minutes at 375°F
Drumsticks Best for crispy fried or roasted dishes 20-25 minutes at 375°F
Wings Great as appetizers, can be fried, grilled or baked 12-15 minutes at 375°F

Breasts

Chicken breasts are a favorite for most people due to their lean meat and versatility. They are great for grilling or frying in the air fryer. When cooking chicken breasts, it is important to ensure they are not too thick, as this can affect the cooking time. It is recommended to tenderize the meat before you start cooking. This will ensure the chicken breasts cook evenly, leaving no dry or overcooked parts.

Thighs

Chicken thighs are perfect for air frying as they have moist and tender meat. They are great for roasted or grilled dishes. When cooking chicken thighs, ensure they are not too fatty as this can lead to a mess in your air fryer. You can also add a marinade to add extra flavor to your chicken. This will also help in keeping the meat moist during the cooking process.

Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks are known for their great flavor and texture. They are best for crispy fried or roasted dishes. When cooking drumsticks in the air fryer, it is important to shake the basket gently during the cooking process to ensure even browning. You can also add seasoning or marinade to the drumsticks to make them more flavorful.

Wings

Chicken wings are a great appetizer for any occasion. They can be fried, grilled or baked in the air fryer. When cooking chicken wings in the air fryer, it is important to ensure they are not too wet. You can pat them dry before cooking to ensure they are crispy and properly cooked. You can also add different seasonings and sauces to the wings to make them more interesting.

Cleaning the Air Fryer

After cooking chicken in your air fryer, it is important to clean it properly. You can do this by wiping the fry basket with a cloth or sponge. You can also use a non-abrasive sponge to remove any oil residue or food stains. Ensure the fry basket and accessories are completely dry before storing them after washing. This will prevent rust from forming and ensure the air fryer lasts longer. With these tips, you are now ready to make the perfect chicken in your air fryer!

Happy Air Frying!

After giving these air fryer chicken recipes a try, we hope you feel confident and excited to experiment with more flavors and techniques. Remember, cooking can be fun and delicious. We want to thank you for reading and hope you’ll come back soon for more helpful tips and tasty recipes. Until then, happy air frying!