Air fryers are not just for frying anymore! (Not that they ever were.) You can make amazing chicken breasts in your air fryer, with very little oil.
And the best part is, you can make them plain or bread them for more of a fried chicken flavor. But how long does it take to cook chicken breasts in your air fryer?
The cooking time for air-fryer chicken breasts will vary depending on temperature and size. At 360℉, you will cook small chicken breasts for around 18 minutes, medium-sized breasts for around 19 minutes, and larger portions for 20 minutes or longer.
Air fryers cook very fast, so you will want to get the timing right when cooking chicken breasts.
If you leave them in too long, they will dry out. And you definitely want to follow food safety rules with chicken and make sure they are fully cooked when serving.
Read on for everything you need to know about how to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer.
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How Long Do I Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?
It will depend on the weight of your chicken and the temperature. If you are cooking at around 360℉, you can use the following guidelines for the size of your chicken breasts:
- 5-6 oz: 18 minutes
- 6-8 oz: 19 minutes
- 8-9 oz: 20 minutes
- 9-10 oz: 21 minutes
Keep in mind you will need to flip your chicken over halfway through, so you may only want to set your timer for half the time when getting started.
It is possible to cook chicken at a higher temp (as high as 400℉) if you are in a hurry. If you are cooking at 400℉, go with the following cook times:
- 5-7 oz: 6-8 minutes
- 8-10 oz: 8-10 minutes
- Over 11 oz: 10-14 minutes
Make sure you check your chicken for doneness before serving (see below).
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What Temperature Do I Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Most good recipes call for a temperature of around 360℉. You can cook chicken at a temp as high as 400℉, so check your recipe.
If you are cooking at higher heat, you will not need to cook as long, though your chicken may dry out if you cook too long.
You may also want to experiment and see what works best with your type of air fryer.
What Ingredients do I Need for Air Fryer Chicken?
- Cooking oil (or oil to prepare fryer).
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
You may want to season with one or more of the following (around ⅛ tsp per chicken breast):
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Poultry seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
How Do I Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?
It’s really easy! You could make a differently-seasoned chicken breast dinner each week of the year.
- Mix all your spices and salt & pepper together in a small bowl.
- Spray the rounded side of your chicken with cooking spray and press your seasoning onto the chicken.
- Place prepared side down in the air fryer.
- Spray the top side, and season as above.
- Cook at 360℉ for the recommended time (probably around 10 minutes). You don’t need to preheat (unless your air fryer requires it).
- Flip the breasts over with tongs. Then set your timer for the second half of your cooking time.
- When they are done, remove them from the fryer right away and let rest for 10 minutes to continue cooking and for the juices to redistribute.
How Do I Know if Air Fryer Chicken is Done?
Just like with any chicken, you will need to cook it until it reaches an internal temp of 165℉. You can cut open one of the chicken breasts and see if it is pink inside or if it is cooked through and the juices run clear.
If in doubt, cook it a little longer.
What do I Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Breasts?
Anything you would with a regular chicken dinner. Mashed potatoes, french fries, and maybe a green veggie like asparagus or broccoli make a delicious meal.
Or make rice in your instant pot at the same time and avoid your stove altogether.
Can I Make Breaded Chicken in the Air Fryer?
Yes–and the best part is it requires so much less oil than frying in a bunch of oil on top of your stove.
You will cook the chicken the same way as above, with a few changes. Mix ½ c. bread crumbs into your spice mix to make the breading, then rub onto the chicken.
Cook for two minutes less time than with plain chicken breasts.
Can I Cook Frozen Chicken in Air Fryer?
Cooks differ on this, and it may be that some air fryers do a better job with frozen chicken. If you are using a recipe, check to see if it calls for fresh or frozen.
Many cooks feel totally fine just putting frozen chicken in an air fryer. Others don’t like the way it turns out, or think it is too difficult to season frozen chicken adequately. (Seasoning doesn’t stick as well.)
The recipe above calls for fresh chicken. If you are cooking frozen chicken, you may need to increase the cooking time. Make sure you cook to 165℉.
Is Air Fryer Chicken Healthy?
Yes, the beauty of the air fryer is that you don’t have to add a lot of excess fat or oil to cook chicken. The chicken breasts prepared above have around 163 calories, 3g fat, 30g protein, 90mg cholesterol, and 450mg sodium.
Chicken is also high in potassium, and contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron as well.
Should I Use Foil in My Air Fryer?
This depends somewhat on the type of air fryer you have. Some brands advise against it, so check your manual.
Foil will definitely help with clean up after you are done cooking.
If you do use foil, keep in mind that the air will not be circulated as well as without foil (this is how air fryers work), so you may have to check your chicken more often to make sure it is cooking adequately.
Make sure you only put foil on the bottom of the basket, not the bottom of the air fryer itself, as that will interfere with the cooking functions of the fryer. Try to use as little foil as possible, to ensure even cooking.
You can also use parchment baking sheets in your air fryer. Many of these have holes that will help with air circulation (this is called perforated parchment).
You can also buy reusable silicone baking sheets for your fryer, so your chicken won’t stick, and clean up will be easier.
If you do use a liner, it’s a good idea to spray it with cooking spray so nothing sticks.
Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer.
- Make sure you space out your chicken breasts. If they are too close together, they won’t cook adequately. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches if you are doing several breasts.
- Make sure to remove from the basket or tray as soon as the time is up. Don’t let them sit in the fryer or they may overcook and get dry.
- Try to be fairly precise about the time. If your air fryer doesn’t have a precise timer, use another digital timer (your oven, microwave, phone, etc.)
Air Fryer Chicken Breast FAQ
Can I Cook Raw Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Yes! You can put the raw chicken directly in your basket or use a liner as above. Your air fryer will cook chicken just like an oven, but in less time, with less oil, and without heating up your place so much.
Do I Need to Preheat my Air Fryer to Cook Chicken?
This depends on the air fryer. For the recipe above, you don’t need to preheat, just put the chicken in and start cooking.
If you are used to preheating your air fryer first, keep in mind that you might have to reduce your cooking time slightly, since you will be cooking at a higher average temperature.
Conclusion
If you haven’t yet gotten in the habit of cooking all your favorite meals in an air fryer, chicken may be a good introduction to air-fryer life.
You can air-fry healthy, delicious chicken breasts just as you would in your oven or on the stove.