5 Delicious Chicken Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love

Chicken is a versatile protein that fits into just about any meal plan, from comforting dinners to quick snacks. With the advent of air fryers, cooking chicken has become simpler, healthier, and faster. Here are five delicious air fryer chicken recipes that you can master in your kitchen:

1. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Chicken wings, when cooked in an air fryer, achieve an unbeatable combination of crispy exterior and tender interior, all without the need for deep frying.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs chicken wings
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¹⁄₂ tsp garlic powder
  • ¹⁄₂ tsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¹⁄₄ cup hot sauce (optional for buffalo wings)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the wings dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powder.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the wings and mix to ensure they are evenly coated.
  4. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not overcrowding.
  5. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
  6. If you desire buffalo wings, toss the cooked wings in hot sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

🍗 Note: For maximum crispiness, ensure not to stack the wings in the basket, and cook in multiple batches if necessary.

2. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Who doesn’t love a good batch of chicken tenders? These are perfect for game nights or a quick lunch with the kids.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb chicken tenders
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¹⁄₂ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg, beaten
• Instructions:
  1. Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  2. In one bowl, mix the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In another, place the beaten egg.
  3. Dip each tender into the egg, then into the panko mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
  4. Place the tenders in the air fryer basket, not overlapping.
  5. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking.

3. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks

This recipe turns ordinary chicken drumsticks into an elegant dish with the perfect combination of garlic, Parmesan, and herbs.

• Ingredients:
  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Combine Parmesan, melted butter, garlic, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. Coat the drumsticks in this mixture and place them in the air fryer basket.
  4. Cook for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through.

4. Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs

Here’s a sophisticated yet simple dish for when you want to impress without the fuss.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp thyme leaves
  • 1 tbsp rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix lemon zest, juice, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  3. Rub the mixture all over the chicken thighs.
  4. Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down first.
  5. Cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping once for even cooking.

5. Air Fryer Honey Sriracha Chicken Breasts

This sweet and spicy fusion of flavors is perfect for those who love a bit of heat with their meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat air fryer to 370°F (187°C).
  2. Combine honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Coat the chicken breasts in the marinade and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Place chicken in the air fryer basket.
  5. Cook for 10-12 minutes, basting with the remaining marinade halfway through.

All these recipes harness the power of the air fryer to deliver chicken dishes that are crispy, full of flavor, and require less oil than traditional methods. They cater to various tastes from the classic to the exotic, ensuring there’s something for every palate. Experimenting with air fryer recipes for chicken not only expands your culinary horizons but also promotes healthier cooking techniques.

Can you cook frozen chicken in an air fryer?

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Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in an air fryer. However, you’ll need to increase the cooking time by about 50% and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

How do I prevent chicken from sticking in the air fryer?

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To prevent sticking, lightly oil the air fryer basket, ensure not to overcrowd the basket, and you might consider using parchment paper with air fryer-safe holes for some dishes.

How can I get crispy chicken skin in an air fryer?

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For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken dry before seasoning, use minimal oil, and cook at a high temperature for a shorter time. Regularly shake or turn the chicken to ensure all sides get crispy.