Last Updated on December 21, 2020
An air fryer works as a countertop convection oven that cooks food faster than in a typical oven, thanks to its compact size. The rapid circulation of hot air also yields uber-crispy food like amazing baked chicken that usually requires a long time to roast.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know for baking chicken in the air fryer. We’ll cover:
- Why we love using the air fryer for baking chicken
- How to marinate or brine chicken
- How to bake chicken in the air fryer
- And frequently asked questions on air fryers
We hope this guide helps you make the most of your air fryer, whether you’re new to cooking with it or a seasoned air fryer chicken vet.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
All appliances have their place, but we love cooking chicken in the air fryer for a few reasons. Here’s why:
- It’s so crispy: It’s hard to achieve the level of crispiness you get with an air fryer unless you use a deep fryer. The air fryer allows you to cut out excess oil while retaining ultra-crispy skin or delicious caramelization on chicken cuts.
- It’s fast: Compared to an oven, chicken cooks quite efficiently in the air fryer. Typically, you’ll shave off about 30 percent to 40 percent of the cooking time by using an air fryer. Again, this is thanks to its compact size, which allows hot air to circulate more rapidly.
- You don’t have to turn on the oven: If you don’t feel like warming up the house, an air fryer is a great option. Plus, the air fryer preheats in a few minutes, while an oven takes a good bit longer.
How to Prep Air Fryer Chicken
The air fryer will yield crispy and caramelized chicken every time. Use a marinade to pack in some flavor or brine the chicken before cooking to make it extra tender and juicy. If you’re looking for super-crisp chicken, you’ll want to pat it dry after marinating or brining. Don’t worry; it will still have absorbed all those delicious flavors.
Here are some great recipes to get you started. Borrow the brine or marinade instructions and air fry your chicken instead:
- Simple Chicken Brine
- Garlic and Lemon Marinade
- Herb and White Wine Marinade
- Herb and Shallot Marinade
- Balsamic Herb Marinade
- Smoky Citrus Marinade
How to Bake Chicken in an Air Fryer
Baking chicken in the air fryer couldn’t be easier. Preheat the air fryer, place the prepped chicken in the fryer basket and let the appliance do the work. Be sure to flip your chicken part of the way through the cooking process.
How long you cook your chicken will depend on how large it is, whether it’s boneless, and more. This primer on chicken cook times in the air fryer from The Cookful is a helpful resource. Here are the cook times and temperatures for a few common chicken cuts:
- Whole chicken: 400°F, 30 minutes on the first side, 12–22 minutes on the other
- Boneless chicken breast: 400°F, 10 minutes on the first side, 5–8 minutes on the other
- Bone-in chicken thighs: 400°F, 15 minutes on the first side, 10–15 minutes on the other
- Chicken drumsticks: 400°F, 10 minutes on the first side, 10–12 minutes on the other
Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you understand the steps for baking chicken in the air fryer, you may be wondering if there’s anything else you should know. Check out these common air fryer questions to make sure you’re baking your chicken to caramelized perfection every time.
Should I use oil to bake chicken in the air fryer?
One of the benefits of an air fryer is that it will yield crispy results without the use of oil. Of course, you can opt to use a little oil if you’d like to make things extra crispy and delicious. Make sure you coat your chicken in oil first; don’t add oil into the fryer basket.
How much can an air fryer hold?
The standard air fryer is 3–5 quarts and has enough space for 2–4 servings of food. This means that it could hold two chicken breasts, or roughly, one pound of meat. If you’re looking to cook a whole chicken, you’ll want to use an air fryer that is at least one quart larger than the weight of the chicken. For instance, a four-pound chicken would fit in a five-quart air fryer.
Can you stack chicken in the air fryer?
While most air fryers have a maximum fill line, it’s 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.
Related
FAQs
Which is better between air frying vs. oven baking? Air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods, but oven-baking often preserves good nutrients while filtering out the bad ones, making oven-baked foods even healthier than most air-fried foods.
Is it better to air fry or bake chicken? ›
Which is better between air frying vs. oven baking? Air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods, but oven-baking often preserves good nutrients while filtering out the bad ones, making oven-baked foods even healthier than most air-fried foods.
How long does it take to cook chicken from the butcher? ›
We recommend cooking lower and longer
Instructions to roast a conventionally grown chicken usually suggest 180ºC fan for 25 mins per 500g, plus an extra 25 mins – meaning a 1.5kg chicken would get 100 minutes or 1 hour 40 mins (25x3 + 25).
Can raw chicken be cooked in air fryer? ›
You can cook chicken tenderloins in the air fryer very easily by seasoning them with olive oil and herbs of your choice and then directly putting them in the air fryer preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Let them cook for 20 minutes, flipping over halfway through.
Is whole chicken better in oven or air fryer? ›
The best cooking hacks are time- or effort-saving but still produce optimal results, and cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is the best kitchen hack I've discovered all year. Speed-roasting a whole chicken results in crispier skin and juicier meat and takes about 20% less time than using a large oven.
When to use bake setting on air fryer? ›
Baking food in the air fryer can be beneficial because you'll save time by not having to preheat the oven. It's also a good choice for people who are avoiding firing up the oven during hot summer months or if you only want to make a few cookies at a time.
How can you bake in an air fryer? ›
Lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20 to 25 percent less time than the temperature and time called for in a regular baking recipe. Preheat the air fryer for any baked goods that rely heavily on a chemical or yeast leavener (baking soda, baking powder, yeast, etc.)
How long should you wait to cook a chicken after butchering it? ›
In poultry, rigor mortis typically occurs within a few hours of slaughter & lasts 24-48 hours following. Unless you really like chewing or have the jaw of a hippo, you may want to leave your freshly processed meat in the refrigerator or freezer to rest for a few days.
How soon should you cook meat from the butcher? ›
For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.
How long does it take to bake raw chicken breast? ›
If you're following a specific recipe, then don't deviate! Otherwise, follow this general formula: Cook large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven. Cook large, bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for 35 to 40 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven.
The #1 tip for the best chicken breasts in an air fryer is: Don't overcook them! Chicken breasts should be cooked to 160°F, but if you cook them all the way to that temperature in the air fryer, carryover cooking will take them beyond that temp and cause them to dry out.
Does chicken need to be flipped in Airfryer? ›
Cook at 360° for 9 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast over and cook for another 9 minutes. Larger chicken breasts need more cook time, and smaller ones need less time. Open the air fryer immediately so it doesn't continue cooking in the heat.
How do you know when chicken is done in an air fryer? ›
I really cannot overstate this. If your air fryer chicken breast is dry, it is mostly likely because you overcooked it. Use an inexpensive instant read thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees F.
Is it better to bake chicken in the air fryer or the oven? ›
It's fast: Compared to an oven, chicken cooks quite efficiently in the air fryer. Typically, you'll shave off about 30 percent to 40 percent of the cooking time by using an air fryer. Again, this is thanks to its compact size, which allows hot air to circulate more rapidly.
What is the difference between roast and bake in an air fryer? ›
A good rule of thumb? Use a temperature about 25 degrees F lower than what you may might be accustomed to with a conventional oven: Baking in the air fryer is typically about 325 instead of 350 degrees F, roasting will be about 400 instead of 425 degrees, and so on.
Is it better to roast or bake a whole chicken? ›
If you're cooking food that has a solid structure — like any type of meat or vegetables — no matter the temperature of the oven, you'll roast it. If you're cooking food that doesn't already have a solid structure, but will after it's cooked — like muffins, cake, bread, and casseroles — the proper method is baking.
Is it better to bake or air fry? ›
Probably not, but that depends on what you're cooking. We've tested air fryers before and found that while they do what they claim, most foods come out just as good or better in a conventional oven. Still, certain foods tend to be better-suited for air frying.
Is baking or frying chicken better? ›
But there's a healthier, equally delicious way to eat comfort food like fried chicken. And it's all thanks to your oven. By cooking chicken in the oven, you'll use little oil, which will minimize heart health risks. Aside from being healthier for your heart, this chicken is also high in protein (8 g per serving).
Which is better, an oven or an air fryer? ›
If you're making multiple dishes or batches of food, a convection oven can help prepare it all at once. But if you're simply preparing one pan of crispy fried cauliflower, an air fryer might be just the right size and can save you the time of heating an entire oven. For maximum flexibility, why not have both?
Is it healthier to air fry chicken? ›
Air fryers may be better for you than deep fryers, but they're only as healthy as the food you put inside. They won't magically remove the saturated fat from bacon or the trans fats from a bag of processed chicken wings. To reap the benefits, reach for better-for-you options like vegetables and lean proteins.