How Long to Air Fry Breaded Chicken Breast for Perfectly Cooked, Crispy Results

A quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy juicy, flavorful chicken with a crunchy outside is to air fry chicken breast. It’s important to get the timing right when you bread chicken breast and cook it in an air fryer. Not cooking chicken enough can make it raw, and cooking it too long can make it dry and rubbery. So how long should you set the air fryer for when making breaded chicken breast? Let’s look at some tips and rules for making golden, crunchy breaded chicken breast in the air fryer.

Factors that Affect Air Fryer Chicken Cooking Times

Several factors impact the cooking time needed for breaded chicken breast in an air fryer including

• How thick the chicken is—Thinner cutlets cook faster than thick, full breasts Slicing breasts horizontally helps reduce thickness.

• Amount of chicken – Cooking large batches takes longer than smaller amounts, Avoid overcrowding,

• Size of the air fryer—Air fryers with bigger capacities can cook more chicken than smaller ones.

• Type of coating – Heavy breadcrumbs need more time to crisp than lighter coatings.

• Doneness preference – Allow extra time if you prefer well-done chicken over just cooked through.

• Frozen vs. thawed – Frozen chicken requires longer cooking than thawed.

Considering these factors will help determine the best air fryer time for your specific recipe.

Recommended Air Fryer Times for Breaded Chicken Breast

As a general guideline, breaded chicken breast takes 15-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer set at 375°F-400°F. Here are more specific recommendations:

• 4-6 oz chicken cutlets, 1⁄2 inch thick: 12-15 minutes
• 4-6 oz breasts, 3⁄4 inch thick: 15-18 minutes
• Boneless breasts, 6-8 oz: 18-22 minutes
• Frozen breasts, thawed: Add 3-5 minutes
• Frozen breasts, not thawed: 25-30 minutes

A meat thermometer should read 165°F inside the chicken to know it’s done. If you’re not sure, cut it in half to make sure there are no pink spots left on the inside.

Always flip chicken halfway during cooking to ensure even browning and cook times. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fried Breaded Chicken Breast

Follow these simple steps for flawlessly cooked, crispy breaded chicken breast using your air fryer:

1. Prep the Chicken

• For quick, even cooking, slice thicker breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets.

• Pound down to an even 1⁄2-inch thickness if needed.

• Pat dry with paper towels. Moisture prevents crispiness.

2. Bread the Chicken

• Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes.

• Season the breadcrumbs well with salt, pepper, spices, and grated Parmesan if desired.

• Dredge chicken pieces in flour first, then egg, then press into breadcrumbs to adhere.

3. Preheat and Cook

• Preheat air fryer to 375°F-400°F.

• Spray basket lightly with oil to prevent sticking.

• Place chicken in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.

• Cook for half the estimated time, flip, then cook remaining time.

• Chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature.

4. Finish and Serve

• Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving.

• Slice into pieces if cooking whole breasts.

• Season additionally with salt, pepper, lemon, hot sauce, etc if desired.

• Serve with favorite sides like fries, roasted veggies, or salad.

Handy Tips for the Best Air Fried Breaded Chicken Breast

Use these helpful tips for guaranteed crisp, juicy and flavorful air fryer breaded chicken every time:

• For ultra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs.

• Lightly spritz chicken with oil before cooking for extra crunch.

• Flip halfway and spritz again to crisp both sides evenly.

• Let rest before slicing for juicier chicken.

• Brine chicken first for extra moisture and flavor.

• Brush with oil or butter after cooking for more richness.

• Avoid overcrowding – cook in batches if needed.

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness precisely.

• Reheat leftovers in air fryer to recrisp.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Breaded Chicken

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, though cooking time may need to be extended. For best results, thaw first in the refrigerator overnight before breading and air frying.

What temperature should I set the air fryer to?

375°F to 400°F works well for achieving a crispy breaded coating while cooking chicken through.

Can I air fry chicken still frozen?

You can, though it will take nearly twice as long to cook than thawed chicken. Cook at 360°F, flipping occasionally until 165°F.

How do I get the breading extra crispy?

Using panko crumbs, parmesan, and spraying with oil ensures the crispiest coating. Also avoid overcrowding.

How do I prevent the breading from falling off?

Make sure chicken is dried well before breading. Press the coating on firmly when dredging. Spray with oil before cooking.

What sides go well with breaded air fried chicken?

It pairs nicely with fresh salads, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Dip in sauces like ranch or honey mustard.

Mastering the ideal cooking times helps you achieve the crispiest, juiciest breaded air fried chicken breast every time. Reference the guidelines and tips above to enjoy this quick and easy meal any night of the week. Just slice, bread, and pop it into your air fryer for a delicious 15-20 minute dinner.