Air Fryer Chicken Recipes: A Comprehensive Guide

Chicken is a versatile and delicious protein that can be cooked in a variety of ways. However, traditional methods such as oven baking or frying can be time-consuming and unhealthy. That’s where the air fryer comes in! This handy kitchen appliance can cook chicken quickly and evenly, resulting in juicy, flavorful results with little to no oil.

If you’re new to air frying chicken, you may be wondering where to start. There are countless recipes available online, but not all of them are created equal. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about cooking chicken in an air fryer, including tips for selecting the right cuts of chicken, preparing your ingredients, and setting the correct temperature and cooking time. We’ll also share some of our favorite air fryer chicken recipes, so you can start cooking right away.

Tips for Selecting the Right Cuts of Chicken


  1. Bone-in vs boneless: Bone-in chicken is generally more flavorful than boneless chicken, but it may take slightly longer to cook. Boneless chicken is quicker to cook and easier to eat, but it may not be as flavorful.
  2. Skin-on vs skin-off: Skin-on chicken will be crispier than skin-off chicken, but it will also be higher in fat. Skin-off chicken is leaner, but it may not be as flavorful.
  3. Breast vs thigh: Chicken breasts are a good choice for quick and easy meals, while chicken thighs are more flavorful and juicy.
  4. Thickness: Thinner cuts of chicken will cook more quickly than thicker cuts. If you are cooking thicker cuts of chicken, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Preparing Your Ingredients

  1. Pat the chicken dry: This will help the chicken to brown evenly and crisp up.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a flavorful mixture of herbs and spices will add flavor and moisture.
  3. Preheat the air fryer: This will help ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.

Setting the Correct Temperature and Cooking Time

  1. Temperature: The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cooking time: The cooking time for chicken in an air fryer will vary depending on the cut and thickness of the chicken. As a general rule of thumb, bone-in chicken will take longer to cook than boneless chicken, and skin-on chicken will take longer to cook than skin-off chicken. Here is a table of cooking times for different cuts of chicken:
Cut of ChickenCooking Time
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts15-20 minutes
Bone-in, skinless chicken breasts20-25 minutes
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs25-30 minutes
Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs30-35 minutes
Chicken wings20-25 minutes
Chicken drumsticks25-30 minutes

Tips for Making Crispy Air Fryer Chicken


  1. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Overcrowding will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and will result in soggy chicken.
  2. Don’t flip the chicken too often: Flipping the chicken too often will prevent the skin from crisping up.
  3. Let the chicken rest: After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken.

Our Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Recipes


Here are a few of our favorite air fryer chicken recipes:

  1. Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken: This recipe is a classic for a reason. The chicken is coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture and then cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
  2. Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings: These wings are perfect for a party or game-day snack. They are crispy, spicy, and addictive.
  3. Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken: This recipe is a great way to add some Asian flavor to your chicken. The chicken is marinated in a teriyaki sauce and then cooked in the air fryer until it is tender and flavorful.

FAQs about air fryer chicken recipes


What is the best way to cook air fryer chicken?

The best way to cook air fryer chicken is to use the correct temperature and cooking time, and to not overcrowd the air fryer. Here are some tips:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes.
  • Cook bone-in, skinless chicken breasts for 20-25 minutes.
  • Cook boneless, skinless chicken thighs for 25-30 minutes.
  • Cook bone-in, skinless chicken thighs for 30-35 minutes.
  • Cook chicken wings for 20-25 minutes.
  • Cook chicken drumsticks for 25-30 minutes.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Leave some space between the pieces of chicken so that they cook evenly.

How long does it take to cook air fryer chicken?

The cooking time for air fryer chicken will vary depending on the cut and thickness of the chicken. As a general rule of thumb, bone-in chicken will take longer to cook than boneless chicken, and skin-on chicken will take longer to cook than skin-off chicken. Here is a table of cooking times for different cuts of chicken:

Cut of ChickenCooking Time
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts15-20 minutes
Bone-in, skinless chicken breasts20-25 minutes
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs25-30 minutes
Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs30-35 minutes
Chicken wings20-25 minutes
Chicken drumsticks25-30 minutes

What is the best temperature to cook air fryer chicken at?

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

What are some tips for making crispy air fryer chicken?

Here are some tips for making crispy air fryer chicken:

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
  • Don’t flip the chicken too often.
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

What are some healthy air fryer chicken recipes?

Here are a few healthy air fryer chicken recipes:

  • Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken
  • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
  • Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
  • Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry

Can I use frozen chicken in the air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken in the air fryer. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What is the difference between air frying and deep frying?

Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying. It uses hot air to cook food, so it requires less oil. Deep frying uses oil to cook food, so it is higher in fat.

Is air frying healthier than deep frying?

Yes, air frying is healthier than deep frying. It is lower in fat and calories.

What are some of the benefits of using an air fryer?

Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer:

  • It is a healthier way to cook food.
  • It is faster than traditional cooking methods.
  • It is easier to clean than a deep fryer.
  • It is more versatile than a deep fryer.
  • It is a good option for people who are trying to lose weight or eat healthier.

What are some of the drawbacks of using an air fryer?

Here are some of the drawbacks of using an air fryer:

  • It can be expensive.
  • It can be bulky.
  • It can be difficult to clean.
  • It may not be able to cook large quantities of food.
  • It may not be able to cook all types of food.

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