Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy way to cook fried foods. When it comes to cooking chicken in an air fryer, getting the temperature right is key for food safety and to achieve the perfect texture.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven that uses hot air to cook food. It works by circulating extremely hot air around food at high speed to produce a crispy, fried finish using little to no oil.
Air fryers can cook food faster than a traditional oven with crispy results. The rapid air circulation system means the high heat flows around food quickly, cooking it evenly. Air fryers use up to 80% less fat than deep frying, providing a healthier cooking method.
Why Air Fry Chicken?
Cooking chicken in an air fryer has many benefits:
- It gives chicken a crispy, crunchy exterior without needing to deep fry.
- Air fried chicken retains juiciness and tenderness on the inside.
- It requires a fraction of the oil needed for deep frying, making it a healthier option.
- The convection process cooks chicken faster than baking.
- Air frying produces less cooking smoke and smell than other high-heat methods.
While fried chicken is tasty, the large amount of oil used isn’t healthy. Air frying lets you achieve similar results using little to no oil. This makes it a smart technique for cooking crispy chicken without the greasiness of deep frying.
Factors That Affect Chicken Cooking Time
Several factors impact the time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer:
- Amount of chicken – Cooking time is shorter for smaller pieces.
- Thickness – Thicker cuts take longer to cook than thinner pieces.
- Bone vs boneless – Boneless cooks faster than chicken on the bone.
- Temperature – Higher heat decreases cook time.
- Preparation – Breaded or coated chicken takes longer than plain.
For food safety, always ensure chicken reaches a safe minimum internal temperature during cooking, regardless of time.
What is the Internal Temperature for Cooked Chicken?
Chicken is safely cooked and ready to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). At this temperature, any potentially harmful bacteria are killed, making the chicken safe to consume.
For air fryers, the internal temp for chicken including the breast, thighs, legs and wings should hit 165°F. Whole chickens and larger pieces may need a higher temperature of 175°F for the thighs and breasts to be fully cooked.
Here are the recommended minimum internal temperatures for different chicken cuts according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):
| Chicken Cut | Minimum Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Breasts, roast | 165°F (74°C) |
| Thighs, wings | 165°F (74°C) |
| Whole chicken | 165°F (74°C) |
| Ground chicken | 165°F (74°C) |
| Chicken thighs, legs – whole | 175°F (79°C) |
| Ground poultry | 165°F (74°C) |
The best way to determine doneness precisely is to use a digital meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the chicken, taking care not to hit any bones. When the desired temperature is reached, the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
What Temperature to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Most countertop air fryer models heat up to a maximum of 400°F. To properly cook chicken, the air fryer temperature should be set between 375-400°F. This high heat helps the chicken cook fast and develop a crispy outer layer.
Here are recommended air fryer temperatures for different chicken cuts:
| Chicken Type | Air Fryer Temperature |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 375°F |
| Chicken thighs | 400°F |
| Chicken wings | 400°F |
| Chicken drumsticks | 400°F |
| Chicken legs | 400°F |
| Whole chicken | 375°F |
| Ground chicken | 375°F |
For bone-in chicken, the higher 400°F temperature helps heat penetrate thicker pieces to cook the inside safely. Lower temperatures work for thinner boneless breasts.
Tips for Air Frying Chicken at the Right Temperature
- Always preheat the air fryer before adding chicken.
- Don’t overcrowd chicken. Leave space between pieces.
- Brush chicken with oil to enhance browning if desired.
- Flip or shuffle chicken halfway during cooking for even results.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature.
- Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving.
How Long to Air Fry Chicken?
Cook times vary based on the size and thickness of chicken pieces, along with air fryer temperature. Boneless cuts cook faster than bone-in.
For food safety, chicken should always reach an internal temperature of 165°F regardless of stated cook times.
Here are general air fryer chicken cook times as a guide:
| Chicken Pieces | Cook Time at 375°F | Cook Time at 400°F |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breasts (6-8 oz) | 12-15 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
| Chicken thighs (4-6 oz) | 16-18 minutes | 14-16 minutes |
| Chicken drumsticks | 18-22 minutes | 15-18 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 15-18 minutes | 12-15 minutes |
| Chicken quarters | 25-30 minutes | 20-25 minutes |
| Whole chicken (3-4 lbs) | 45-55 minutes | 35-45 minutes |
Cook times for breaded chicken or marinated pieces may need 5-10 minutes longer. Always check internal temperature and visually inspect chicken doneness before removing from the air fryer.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Air Fried Chicken
- Pat chicken dry before air frying for crispier skin.
- Brush chicken with oil or spray with oil for optimal browning.
- Flip or shuffle halfway through cook time.
- Allow thicker, larger pieces extra time to cook through.
- Let chicken rest 5+ minutes before serving.
How to Tell When Chicken is Done in an Air Fryer
Here are ways to check chicken for doneness when air frying:
- Use a meat thermometer – Insert into thickest area and check temperature reaches 165°F minimum.
- Slice to inspect – Use a knife to cut into chicken and check interior is white and juices run clear.
- Pierce with fork – Meat should be fork tender and opaque throughout when pierced.
- Look at breading – Breading will become crispy golden brown when chicken is fully cooked.
- Check for movement – Chicken should move easily when prodded and is no longer pink.
The most reliable doneness indicator is checking internal temperature with a digital instant read meat thermometer. This eliminates any guesswork and ensures chicken reaches safe temperature.
Signs of Undercooked Chicken
If removing chicken from the air fryer prematurely, it will show signs of being undercooked:
- Meat is still pink or has red juices.
- Flesh feels soft and squishy.
- Chicken does not shred easily with a fork.
- Breading or coating looks pale and limp.
- Does not reach 165°F internal temperature.
Undercooked chicken should not be eaten due to risk of bacteria. Return any raw looking chicken to the air fryer until fully cooked through.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked, tender and crispy air fried chicken every time:
- Pat chicken pieces dry before cooking.
- Coat chicken in a thin layer of oil or oil spray.
- Season chicken as desired before air frying.
- Cook chicken in a single layer, not overcrowded.
- Set air fryer between 375-400°F temperature.
- Flip chicken halfway during cook time.
- Brush cooked chicken with oil or barbecue sauce to finish.
- Check temperature using a meat thermometer.
- Let chicken rest before serving.
Common Air Fryer Chicken Mistakes
It’s easy to end up with subpar results when air frying chicken if you make some of these common mistakes:
- Not patting chicken dry – This prevents crisping of the skin.
- Overcrowding – Chicken needs space to cook evenly.
- Cooking at low temperature – Won’t make chicken crispy.
- Not preheating – Air fryer needs time to heat up first.
- Not flipping chicken – The other side won’t brown evenly.
- Breading chicken heavily – Can make coating soggy.
- Not using thermometer – Chicken may be undercooked.
- Reusing old oil – Will make chicken greasy.
Avoid these pitfalls for delicious, perfectly cooked air fried chicken.
Conclusion
Air frying chicken allows you to enjoy fried results without all the extra fat and calories. Cook chicken between 375-400°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cook time varies based on thickness of chicken pieces. Allow extra time for bone-in or larger cuts.
Use a digital instant read thermometer to check doneness precisely. Undercooked chicken can pose health risks. Let chicken rest before serving for juicy, tender results with a crispy browned exterior.
With the right temperature, prep, and cook time, air fryers let you quickly make healthier fried chicken that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Just be sure not to overcrowd the fryer basket and monitor chicken closely for best results.