Can You Put Raw Chicken in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers are pretty much an essential kitchen appliance for anyone who wants to cook and eat healthy. They’re not just limited to French fries though— they can also be used to roast, bake and grill everything from your favourite veggies, and desserts to even raw chicken (yes, raw chicken!). But how does it work? Let’s find out.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?

Well, there’s no definitive answer to this. It depends on a few factors: the size of the chicken and the type of air fryer you have. A small chicken will take about 20 minutes, while a larger one could take up to 30 minutes. The temperature setting on your air fryer may also affect how long it takes for your meat to cook (see below).

You can check the progress of your food by opening up the lid and checking with a fork or knife after 10 minutes or so of cooking time has passed. If there are no juices flowing out when you prod at it with these tools, then there’s still some more time left before your meal is ready—but don’t leave it unattended too long!

How to Cook the Chicken in an Air Fryer?

• Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn’t matter if your air fryer doesn’t support such a high temperature. The point is to get it’s interior hot and running before putting the chicken in.
• Step 2: Pound the chicken until it is about 1/2-inch thick using a meat tenderizer or mallet, or by putting it between two pieces of plastic wrap and hitting it with a rolling pin.
• Step 3: Season the raw chicken with your favourite spices, such as salt, and pepper and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. If you want more flavour in your finished meat than just from seasoning alone, consider marinating your food first—this can be done by putting the seasoned raw meat in a Ziploc baggie with some olive oil for about an hour before cooking (or longer if you have time). Discard leftover marinade after cooking since it will not keep well once opened.
• Step 4: Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and keep checking the temperature using a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat. When the internal temperature reaches 160 Fahrenheit (75 C), you’ve got yourself a perfectly tender piece of meat. Do not overcook! The ideal temperature range lies between 140 F (60 C) – 155 F (68 C) so always use caution when checking, but you can also find out if the chicken’s done by poking a knife or fork into it. If it’s soft and juicy, then it’s done. If it’s hard and dry, then it needs more time.

Conclusion

Cooking raw chicken in an air fryer is a great way to make chicken breasts that are moist, flavourful and tender. The air fryer cooks the chicken from all sides at once and it’s easy to get the same delicious taste without worrying about extra fat or calories from oil.