Should I Marinate Or Brine My Chicken Beforehand
I always recommend that you brine the chicken beforehand if you have time.
To brine the chicken with a basic brine solution, you will need to dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 2 cups of room temp water . The water will also help the chicken come to room temperature, so it will cook evenly. Let the chicken sit in salted water for at least 15 minutes , then rinse it with fresh water and pat dry with paper towels.
If you want to take your chicken game to the next level, check out my easy chicken brine recipe that also uses flavorings such as honey, lemon slices, fresh herbs, etc. It adds so much flavor to the chicken.
For breaded chicken breasts, I dont recommend marinating the chicken for this specific recipe. If youre making unbreaded chicken breasts, then marinating the chicken will give it more flavor.
Soaking: A Crispy Essential
While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential.
- The water removes excess starch, allowing the fries to be their crispiest.
- Instead of cold water, I like to use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly. This creates the double fried effect that makes many restaurant fries so addictive.
- Be sure to pat your soaked potatoes very dry with kitchen towels or paper towels so they crisp nicely.
Chicken Breast Seasoning Ideas
- Cajun or Blackened seasoning: This blend of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and oregano is perfect for chicken.
- Greek seasoning: A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and thyme gives the chicken a Mediterranean flavor.
- Jamaican jerk: Allspice, ginger, cloves, thyme, and habanero peppers give this chicken a spicy kick.
- BBQ rub: A blend of paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin will give the chicken a smoked flavor.
- Lemon herb: Perfect for summer, this blend of lemon zest, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and basil is refreshing and light.
- Chinese five spice: A mix of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel, and Sichuan pepper gives the chicken an exotic flavor.
- Chicken Chasu: A Japanese-inspired seasoning of ginger, garlic, and onion powder with a touch of cumin is perfect for reverse-seared chicken thats great to use thinly sliced on top of ramen or other Japanese dishes.
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Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast Basic And Crispy Breaded Recipe
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are often a challenge to cook properly in a deep fryer, skillet, or a conventional oven. The trick is to get them to the right internal temperature of 165°F without drying them out. A good way to make really juicy chicken breasts is to cook them in an air fryer. And, they take only 15 minutes!
There are hundreds of different air fryer models from a few dozen companies like Power, Nuwave, Emeril, Cuisinart, Phillips, Farberware and several others. In my research, I have discovered that not all air fryers are created equal. Temperatures and cook times do vary, as do the interior setups. Some fryers have mesh style baskets, while others have grill plates, similar to a skillet but with slits for air to circulate. My air fryer has both a plate and a basket that are interchangeable or can be used together. It seems that the grill plate does retain heat well and takes a little less time to cook food than the manufacturers suggested cook times. So, you will need to adjust the cooking times in these recipes to meet the personality of your fryer. I suggest checking the internal temperature of the chicken at 10 minutes. A digital meat thermometer is a good investment for cooking proteins.
The recipes below are super healthy because you are not deep frying in lots of fat. It takes very little oil to coat the chicken so that a nice golden brown outer layer forms. I really love how I can save on calories and fat when cooking chicken in an air fryer.
Season The Chicken With Your Favorite Spices
A key part of prepping chicken is seasoning it. To get the most out of your spices, you should season the chicken with your favorite spices and seasoning blends at least 30 minutes before cooking. Ideally, you should season a few hours to overnight if possible.
You can use store-bought seasoning blends or create your own mix to suit your taste buds. When using store-bought seasonings, use them sparingly because they can be quite salty in flavor. If you are using a dry rub that doesnt contain salt, adjust the amount accordingly.
When rubbing the chicken with spices, make sure to evenly coat it so that every part has been evenly seasoned. Rub some of the spices under the skin when possible as this adds additional flavor and moisture to keep it juicy while cooking.
Once seasoned, let the chicken rest in a refrigerator for at least 30 minutes up to overnight before cooking. Allowing the chicken time to really absorb all of those flavors will take your preparation from meh to wow in no time!
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Can You Stack Chicken In The Air Fryer
While most air fryers have a maximum fill line, its best not to stack chicken up until you reach that point. Air circulation is key to getting the crispy chicken you crave, and stacking meat limits air flow, often resulting in unevenly cooked meat. Stick to baking a single layer of chicken at a time to get the best results.
We hope this easy guide to baking air fryer chicken inspires your kitchen adventures. Enjoy all that crispy chicken!
Courtney Hamilton
Courtney Hamilton is a writer and editor with over seven years’ experience in journalism, blogging, communications, and other media. She has written for publications like PaleoHacks, PaleoPlan, The Center for American Progress, OC Weekly, and more.
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe
This air fryer boneless chicken breast recipe will show you in easy, quick steps how to air fry chicken breast.
Chicken breasts are versatile, quick to cook, and this air fryer boneless skinless chicken is ready in less than 25 minutes which makes it perfect for families or anyone just needing a meal on the table fast.
This air fryer chicken breast recipe makes use of a few pantry ingredients, requires just minimal preparation, and is hands-off once the chicken pieces are in the air fryer.
Not only that, but cooking chicken breast in the air fryer is a total breeze. The air fryer heats quickly, and gives you that crispy fried chicken crunch without all the splattering of hot grease if you were to deep fry it! Cleaning the air fryer afterward is also easy.
Cooking boneless chicken breast in the air fryer also cuts down on cooking time, which means that everyone can enjoy a weeknight dinner at a much faster pace.
This air fryer chicken is low carb, keto, and healthy. It’s great for meal prepping, for use in salads, and sandwiches.
Related:Frozen chicken breast in air fryer, and Air fryer boneless chicken thighs
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Reverse Sear Cooking Tips
Always pat the meat dry: This will help the seasonings stick to the meat and prevent unwanted moisture.
Take the chill off: Letting the meat rest before cooking is important because it lets the proteins relax, keeping the meat from getting tough when going from hot to cold.
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer: This will allow you to accurately cook the meat to the correct temperature without opening the oven door and letting out heat. Use a temperature probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
Rest the meat after searing: Resting the meat allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier and more flavorful chicken.
Sear at high temperature: Whether you are pan searing in a cast iron pan, grilling, or smoking, ensure that the temperature is very hot before searing. Low temperatures will cause the meat to stay in longer, further increasing the internal temperature and making it dry.
Trim And Pat Dry The Chicken
Before you can air fry a chicken in a convection oven, it is important to prepare the chicken properly. Start by trimming off any excess fat and any tough, sinewy pieces of skin. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, make sure to trim away any cartilage and fatty deposits. Once everything has been trimmed, pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This ensures that the chicken will crisp nicely as it cooks in the convection oven.
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Place The Chicken In The Oven
Once you have your marinade prepared and your chicken covered in it, place it in the center of the convection oven. Make sure that there is enough space between each piece of chicken to ensure even cooking. Depending on how much chicken you are cooking at once, you may need to use multiple trays or racks. The ovens convection fan should be running during the air-fry cycle to help circulate the hot air around the chicken for even cooking. If your oven does not have a convection fan, it is recommended that you turn it on for optimal results. You may need to adjust the temperature or time according to your oven type and size however, as a general rule most recipes cook at around 370°F for approximately 20 minutes.
How To Reverse Sear Chicken Breast In The Oven
1Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. While the oven is preheating, let the chicken breast sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take off the chill.
2Season the chicken: Pat the meat dry with a paper towel. Season the chicken breast with your favorite seasonings.
3Place the seasoned chicken breast on a rack: Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet and place in the oven.
4Cook until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F: Cook the chicken breast in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit, about 30-40 minutes per pound. Use an oven-safe kitchen thermometer for accurate results.
5Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes: Remove the chicken from the oven and place foil over top for 15 minutes.
6Sear in skillet: Add the oil to a skillet and let it get very hot. Pat the chicken breast dry again with paper towels, then sear them for about 1 minute each side until a golden brown crust forms or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. You can also sear on a gas grill or smoker over high heat.
7Remove from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes: Remove the chicken from the heat and add foil back to the top. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
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How Long Should I Bake Chicken Breast From Frozen At 400 F
How long to cook a chicken breast at 400 from frozen?
The final one of how long to cook a chicken breast at 400 is how to cook from frozen!
Chicken breasts cooked from frozen at 400 degrees F in the oven normally take about 40-50 minutes and at the same temperature, about 15-25 minutes in the air fryer. If your frozen chicken breasts are not seasoned, it is a better idea to defrost them first.
To do this, simply place your frozen breasts in the fridge and wait for them to defrost in around 12 hours. Alternatively, you could defrost chicken breast in warm water, which should occupy less than 3 hours.
The Secret To Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
To ensure the fat renders and the wings crisp, air fry them at two separate temperatures.
Heres how you make your air fryer wings crispy:
- First, air fryer the chicken wings at 360 degrees F for 24 minutes, turning once halfway through. This step renders the fat.
- Then, turn up the heat to 390 degrees F. This high temperature crisps the outsides of the wings, leaving the interior meat moist.
The two-temperature approach is easy, less messy than baking soda, and you put raw chicken in an air fryer! This method works for frozen air fryer chicken wings too.
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How To Make Unbreaded Chicken In The Air Fryer
Now you might be wondering how to cook chicken breast in the air fryer if you dont wish to bread it.
So if you want to cut a little bit on the calories then go for the unbreaded version. However, the breaded crispy chicken breast in the air fryer is definitely my favorite!
Increase The Oven Temperature To 425f
To finish the cooking process of your chicken and give it a wonderful golden brown color, we recommend preheating the oven to 425°F . Depending on the size of your oven and its temperature accuracy, it may take anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes for the oven to reach this desired temperature. Make sure the chicken is placed in a single layer on a lined baking sheet with space in between pieces, once the temperature is reach. This will ensure that all sides of your chicken are evenly cooked and allow heat to circulate throughout equally. If using particularly thick pieces of chicken, place them breast-side-down to encourage moisture retention. The cooking time at 425°F will depend on how big and thick each piece is. Generally speaking, 8-10 minutes should be enough to finish off cooking most pieces of chicken.
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How To Cook Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
How to Cook Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts . 1st step: baking. This way of cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts may be the simplest approach available. Simply preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and sprinkle the chicken with 2 tablespoons Poaching sauce. 3rd step: sauteing. Grilling is number four. 5 Cooking at a low temperature. There are more items.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
While frozen chicken is great to have on hand, it can be quite difficult to remember to thaw it ahead of time. Or perhaps youre like me, and you like to keep frozen chicken on hand for those in-between-shopping-trip days, but you would like it to not be boiled and shredded enter the air fryer!
You can enjoy delicious and tender meat straight from frozen when cooking chicken breast in air fryer! You dont need to do anything different in terms of preparation frozen chicken will simply require a longer cook time than thawed chicken.
A general guideline is that frozen meat will take 50% longer to cook. So if you would normally cook the chicken for 14 minutes, plan on at least 21 for frozen chicken.
This is where it comes in handy to have an instant read thermometer. If you want safely cooked but not OVER cooked meat, you definitely want to be using a thermometer to make sure its cooked just right!
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How Long To Cook Chicken Breasts In The Air Fryer
- Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 370-degrees for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes cooking time, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160-degrees on an instant read thermometer. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts .
How Long To Air Fry Chicken Breast
The exact cooking time for chicken breast in the air fryer depends on a few factors, including how large the chicken breast is , and how powerful your air fryer is.
Expect it to take around 20 minutes, with a smaller thinner chicken breast being closer to 15 minutes, and a large chicken breast needing 25 minutes or more in the air fryer to cook through.
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How And Why Do I Brine My Chicken Breasts
- Why: During brining the salt helps the meat to absorb extra liquid through the process of osmosis. Soaking the chicken in salted water, results in a juicier and more flavorful final dish, because the is able to hold on to more of its moisture. This is particularly great for lean cuts of meat, such as chicken breast and turkey breast that tend to dry out during cooking.
- Formula: Basic brine ratio: The basic ratio of salt to water for a brine is 4 tablespoons of salt per 6 cups of water. But size of the salt crystal and type matter. Use Kosher salt because although it dissolves faster and easier in water, its slower to dissolve on the surface of meat so less sodium is absorbed by your meat.
- How: Fill a large bowl with about 4 cups of lukewarm water and add ¼ cup kosher salt, stirring to dissolve. Although this may sound like a lot of salt, only a small amount is absorbed. Add the chicken breasts to the water and let them sit at least 1 ½ hours or up to 6 hours to brine. Remove from water, pat dry with paper towels and discard the water.
- Continue with the recipe as directed rubbing with oil and spices then baking.
Why Youll Love Cooking Chicken Breasts In An Air Fryer
- I air fry pretty much everything because its quick and easy .
- This needs just a couple of minutes of prep.
- It takes only a handful of ingredients. Use the seasonings below, your favorite chicken seasoning, or really any seasoning mix.
- The results are incredibly juicy every single time. Hands down one of our favorite 20-minute meals.
- Its great to make ahead for meal prep.
Use this air fryer chicken breast recipe in all kinds of meal prep favorites like chicken burrito bowls or chicken salad. Slice it for sandwiches, serve it over caesar salad. Endless possibilities.
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