Air fryer chicken has become a go-to meal for many, thanks to its crispy skin and juicy inside, all while being a healthier alternative to deep frying. If you’re wondering “How Long To Cook Chicken In Air Fryer” to get it just right, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to achieve perfectly cooked chicken every time, focusing on cooking times, temperatures, and helpful tips for the best results.
Why Air Fry Chicken?
Before we dive into the specifics of cooking times, let’s quickly touch on why air frying chicken is so popular:
- Healthier: Air frying requires significantly less oil than traditional frying, reducing fat and calories.
- Faster Cooking: Air fryers cook food quicker than conventional ovens, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
- Crispy Texture: The circulating hot air creates a beautifully crispy exterior, similar to fried chicken, but without the grease.
- Easy Cleanup: Air fryer baskets are generally easy to clean, saving you time and effort.
Key Factors Affecting Chicken Cooking Time in an Air Fryer
Several factors influence how long your chicken needs to cook in an air fryer. Understanding these will help you adjust cooking times and ensure your chicken is cooked safely and deliciously.
1. Type of Chicken Cut
Different cuts of chicken will require different cooking times. Here’s a breakdown of common chicken parts:
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and cook relatively quickly.
- Chicken Thighs: Bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless, thighs are more forgiving and remain juicy even if slightly overcooked. Bone-in thighs will take longer to cook than boneless.
- Chicken Wings: Small and with bones, wings cook quickly and become incredibly crispy in the air fryer.
- Whole Chicken: While possible, cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer requires a larger unit and specific techniques. We’ll focus on parts in this guide.
2. Thickness and Size of Chicken
Thicker pieces of chicken will naturally take longer to cook than thinner pieces. Similarly, larger chicken breasts or thighs will require more time in the air fryer. Try to cut chicken pieces into roughly even sizes to ensure they cook at the same rate.
3. Bone-in vs. Boneless Chicken
Bone-in chicken, like thighs or wings, generally takes longer to cook than boneless chicken. The bone insulates the meat, requiring more time for the heat to penetrate through to the center.
4. Air Fryer Model and Wattage
Air fryers vary in power and efficiency. Some models may cook hotter or faster than others. It’s always a good idea to get familiar with your specific air fryer and adjust cooking times accordingly.
How Long to Cook Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
Chicken breast is a popular choice for air frying. Here’s a general guideline for how long to cook chicken breast in an air fryer:
For boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 inch thick):
- Temperature: 380°F (193°C)
- Time: 15-20 minutes
Important Notes:
- Preheat your air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes before adding the chicken. This helps ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cook chicken in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of frying and uneven cooking.
- Flip halfway: Flip the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time (around 8-10 minutes) to ensure even browning and cooking on both sides.
- Check internal temperature: The most crucial step is to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast.
How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Chicken thighs are more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts. Here’s how long to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer:
For boneless, skinless chicken thighs:
- Temperature: 380°F (193°C)
- Time: 12-15 minutes
For bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs:
- Temperature: 375°F (190°C)
- Time: 20-25 minutes
Important Notes:
- Follow the same guidelines as chicken breasts: preheat, don’t overcrowd, flip halfway, and check internal temperature (165°F/74°C).
- Bone-in thighs may require slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are cooked through to the bone.
How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Air fryer chicken wings are incredibly crispy and delicious, perfect for appetizers or snacks.
For chicken wings:
- Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
- Time: 20-25 minutes
Steps for Extra Crispy Wings:
- Pat wings dry: Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up better.
- Toss with a little oil: A light coating of oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado oil) helps the skin crisp and brown.
- Season generously: Season the wings with your favorite spices. Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper are a great starting point.
- Cook in batches: Cook wings in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Flip and cook: Flip the wings halfway through cooking.
- Increase heat for crispiness: For extra crispy skin, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Check internal temperature: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Seasoning Your Air Fryer Chicken
Seasoning is key to delicious air fryer chicken. Here are some ideas:
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Simple Salt and Pepper: Sometimes, simple is best. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember, salt quantity depends on the amount of chicken.
Salt Depends on The Amount of Chicken: And the salting is important. Here’s what I recommend.
- 1 pound of chicken breasts: 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts: 1 teaspoon table salt
- If using coarse kosher salt: 1 teaspoon salt for 1 pound of chicken breasts
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Paprika and Spices: Paprika adds great flavor and color.
Paprika: For this recipe, paprika refers to the ground spice labeled “ground paprika” or “paprika”. Paprika is great here for flavor and color. There are tons of varieties of paprika out there, including smoked paprika, hot paprika, Hungarian paprika, or sweet paprika.
Combine paprika with garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano for a classic chicken seasoning. You can use smoked paprika for a richer, smoky flavor.
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Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning: For a quick and flavorful option, use a rotisserie chicken seasoning blend.
Cheat Code for the Seasoning: This recipe is very clutch with McCormick Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning blend. Not sponsored, just so easy and so good. For a pound of chicken, just use about 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix in place of the paprika, salt, onion and garlic powders.
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Marinades: For extra flavor and moisture, marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Wait to add cornstarch until just before air frying for best results.
Marinating: You can let the chicken sit with the spices for an extended period of time – up to 24 hours in the fridge – but for best results, wait to add the cornstarch until just before you throw it in the air fryer.
Dipping Sauce Suggestion
To elevate your air fryer chicken experience, try this amazing gochujang dipping sauce:
Amazing Gochujang Dipping Sauce: This is my current favorite sauce to have with this chicken, either in a bowl, a salad, or just dipping the chicken pieces straight in. Mix 1/2 cup mayo with about 2 tablespoons gochujang sauce (table sauce, not paste), 1 clove grated garlic, a shot of soy sauce, and a dash of rice vinegar if you want. Season with salt and pepper. Oooof. So good.
This sauce adds a creamy, spicy, and savory kick that perfectly complements the crispy chicken.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken
- Always use a meat thermometer: Don’t rely solely on cooking time. A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Pat chicken dry: Removing excess moisture helps the chicken brown and crisp up in the air fryer.
- Use a little oil: A light coating of oil helps promote browning and crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cook in batches to ensure even cooking and crispy results.
- Preheat your air fryer: Preheat for even cooking and better crispiness.
- Let chicken rest: After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
Conclusion
Mastering “how long to cook chicken in air fryer” is all about understanding the type and size of chicken you’re cooking, setting the right temperature, and always checking for doneness with a meat thermometer. With these guidelines and tips, you’ll be able to create delicious, crispy, and healthy air fryer chicken every time. Enjoy your perfectly cooked chicken!
