There are times when you might not be sure if your air-fried chicken is done, but this guide will help you. Don’t worry about cooking chicken breasts, wings, or even a whole chicken in the air fryer. We’ll go through each step step by step.
An easy, quick, and healthy way to cook tasty chicken at home, air-frying chicken has become very popular. But it may take a few tries to get the outside to be just the right crispiness while keeping the inside moist and tender. This is especially true when it comes to finding the right time and temperature.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about air frying chicken, from understanding how air fryers work to mastering time and temps for different cuts of chicken My goal is to equip you with the knowledge to perfectly air fry chicken each and every time!
How Do Air Fryers Work?
Air fryers are small convection ovens that cook food quickly with superheated air. A heating element and strong fan move hot air quickly around the food, giving it a crispy, browned outside that looks like it was deep-fried.
The key advantages of air fryers are:
- Require little to no oil for crisping and browning
- Cook food quickly thanks to rapid air circulation
- Produce crispy textures without deep frying
- Allow for batch cooking in their compact form
While not a true replacement for deep frying, air fryers can produce delightfully crispy chicken when the time and temperature are balanced correctly.
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Chicken Cook Times
The length of time you need to air fry chicken depends on a few main things:
- Cut of chicken – Breasts, thighs, wings, and whole chickens all require different cook times
- Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in chicken takes longer to cook
- Chicken size/thickness – The thicker the cut, the longer the cook time
- Frozen or thawed – Frozen chicken requires longer cook times
Taking these factors into account will help you hone in on the perfect air fryer time and temperature for your chicken.
Air Fryer Time and Temp Guidelines by Chicken Cut
Here are general time and temperature guidelines for the most common cuts of chicken:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Time: 12-15 minutes
- Temp: 370°F
- Flip halfway through
Bone-in Chicken Breasts
- Time: 22-25 minutes
- Temp: 370°F
- Flip halfway through
Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Time: 15-18 minutes
- Temp: 380°F
- Flip halfway through
Bone-in Chicken Thighs
- Time: 22-28 minutes
- Temp: 370°F
- Flip halfway through
Chicken Wings
- Time: 24-28 minutes
- Temp: 390°F
- Shake halfway through
Bone-in Chicken Legs
- Time: 26-32 minutes
- Temp: 370°F
- Flip halfway through
Whole Chicken (3-4 lbs)
- Time: 55-60 minutes
- Temp: 360°F then increase to 390°F
- Flip halfway through
Handy Air Fryer Chicken Tips and Tricks
Follow these simple tips for foolproof air fried chicken every time:
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Preheat 5 minutes – Preheating your air fryer helps ensure even cooking.
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Have a meat thermometer handy. This will make sure the chicken reaches 165°F, which is a safe internal temperature.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coating the chicken with oil improves browning and crispiness.
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Don’t overcrowd – Avoid stacking chicken pieces so air can properly circulate.
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Flip/shake halfway – This allows both sides to cook evenly for the best texture.
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Let rest 3-5 minutes – Allowing chicken to rest helps lock in juices.
Mastering the Perfect Air Fryer Chicken
With the right time, temperature, and technique, you can achieve chicken with a crispy crust and juicy interior using your air fryer.
Focus on monitoring cook times based on the thickness and cut of your chicken. And don’t forget to preheat, brush with oil, and use a meat thermometer for the best results.
Once you get the hang of the ideal settings for different cuts of chicken, you’ll be making restaurant-quality air fried chicken from the comfort of your own kitchen in no time!
So go forth and air fry on! Your next deliciously crispy, moisture-locked chicken dinner awaits.
How To Cook Chicken In The Air Fryer
For all chicken, the basic way I cook it in the air fryer is to first preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then I mist the chicken with olive oil all over. I use this oil sprayer. Alternatively, you can drizzle with oil and then use your hands to rub it all over. Next, season it liberally with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Finally, it goes directly into the basket of the air fryer to cook until it reaches 165°F internally.
I do usually flip the chicken over once halfway through. I prefer to start with the chicken or chicken pieces nicest-side-down. Then after it’s flipped the nicer side is on top to finish browning (with whole chickens, starting with the nice side down has a good added bonus that you can read more about here).
I have tested cooking times for most kinds of chicken pieces in three different air fryers and this is now my air-fryer-chicken-cooking-times cheat sheet. It lists the type of chicken, the temperature, and how long to cook each side. It also has links to longer recipes for each type.
Air-Fryer Chicken Cooking Times and Temperatures
| Type of Chicken | Air Fryer Temp | Time on Side #1 | Time on Side #2 | Link to Full Instructions |
| whole chicken, 3-4 lb. | 400°F | 30 minutes | 12-22 minutes | Instructions |
| breast, boneless, 8 oz. | 400°F | 10 minutes | 5-8 minutes | Instructions |
| breast, bone-in, 10 oz. | 400°F | 15 minutes | 12-15 minutes | Instructions |
| thigh, boneless, 4-5 oz. | 400°F | 10 minutes | 5-7 minutes | Instructions |
| thigh, bone-in, 5-6 oz. | 400°F | 15 minutes | 10-15 minutes | Instructions |
| drumstick, bone-in, 5 oz. | 400°F | 10 minutes | 10-12 minutes | Instructions |
| leg quarter, 1 lb. each | 400°F | 20 minutes | 10-12 minutes | Instructions |
| wing, 5 full wings cut into 2 pieces each | 360°F then 400°F | 12 minutes at 360°F | 5-6 minutes at 400°F | Instructions |
Notes:
- It’s not clear if the skin is on or off in this case. This is because the skin doesn’t change the times given for cooking. This means that “thigh, bone-in” can mean both “skinless bone-in chicken thighs” and “skin-on bone-in chicken thighs.”
- Start cooking the chicken with the skin side down, and then flip it when the recipe says to. So that when you flip it over, the nicer side—the side you want to serve—is facing up. In the air fryer, that means the nicer side gets the last bit of browning time. For the whole chicken, start it breast-side-down. This puts the nicer side of the chicken up for the final cooking and lets the extra juices from the back of the chicken flow to the breast meat, keeping the breast meat from drying out too much (see here).
- All chicken should be cooked to 165°F. Test the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer. When the chicken is 155°F to 160°F, I take it out and let it rest for three to four minutes. It’s juicier that way. But neither the government nor I think this is a good idea, so make sure the chicken is at 165°F before you stop cooking it. Any lower than that is unsafe.
tested and approved the perfect air fryer chicken wing
FAQ
What temperature do you cook chicken in the air fryer?
Air Fryer Chicken ThighsChicken CutTemperatureCook TimeChicken Breasts (Bone-In)375°F (190°C)30-35 minutesBoneless Chicken Breasts375°F (190°C)15-20 minutesThighs (Bone-In)380°F (193°C)25-30 minutesBoneless Thighs380°F (193°C)18-22 minutes.
How long can chicken be in an air fryer at 375 degrees?
Air Fryer Instructions: Lightly spray your air fryer layer with cooking spray. Add your unseasoned frozen chicken thighs or breasts to the basket, no more than 2 at a time. Preheat air fryer to 375°F and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Carefully remove the chicken from the basket.
How long does it take to cook a chicken in an air fryer?
Air-fry at 370 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 45 minutes.Nov 25, 2023
What temperature do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
The recommended temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer generally ranges from 360°F to 400°F, depending on the cut and desired crispiness. For chicken breasts, a temperature of around 375°F is ideal to ensure they cook through without drying out.
How long do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
Cooking times for chicken in an air fryer largely depend on the cut and thickness of the meat. For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time is typically around 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Bone-in cuts like thighs and drumsticks may take a bit longer, roughly 25 to 30 minutes, depending on their size.
Can you cook frozen chicken in an air fryer?
Frozen chicken will take longer to cook compared to thawed chicken. It’s recommended to thaw your chicken before cooking for more even and consistent results. However, if you’re short on time, you can still cook frozen chicken in an air fryer. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
How long do you cook boneless chicken breast in an air fryer?
Chicken breasts are a versatile and popular choice, and cooking them in an air fryer is a great way to retain their juiciness while achieving a crispy exterior. This is how long boneless, skinless chicken breasts should be cooked: – Thawed: Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.
How to cook chicken legs in air fryer?
Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket and cook for about 20 minutes. For the best results, flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. You can also lightly spray the chicken with oil before and during cooking to promote browning and crispness. Step 4: Check the Temperature.
How long to air fry chicken wings?
Air frying them achieves that desirable crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and flavorful. Here is a recommended cooking time for chicken wings: – Thawed: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. – Frozen: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 28-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.