AIR FRYER CHICKEN
AIR FRYER CHICKEN – welcome to my latest obsession!!
Well, my first obsession lately is honestly Pinch of Yum, I have been loving every. single. one of her recipes she shares on her blog and instagram.
Here’s a little bit of info on what I do sometimes on Ambs Loves Food- I start by trying the recipes I find, as is, no adjustments for the first time making them. I taste, evaluate, add, remove, adjust, etc. the different ingredients in the original recipe and always figure out what to add for my tastes or my preferences. After I make it a second time with my adjustments, I then repeat the process (as many times as necessary to get it right!). And then by THAT point I feel ready to remake the recipe, photograph it, and share it with all of you here on Ambs Loves Food.
BUT with Pinch of Yum and her recipes lately;
I have had no notes or adjustments and literally everything has been absolutely perfect as is.
ESPECIALLY, this perfect Air Fryer Chicken recipe.
T R I G G E R W A R N I N G : RAW CHICKEN photograph below!!
This chicken is absolutely chef’s kiss.
I don’t think there is a better chicken that exists in my life, currently.
It’s a simple recipe using chicken breasts, cut in half like a butterfly and then cut into small-ish pieces, about 4 per large breast. There are a handful of seasonings and spices that are coated onto the chicken with cornstarch and brown sugar. And lastly the chicken is sprayed with avocado oil.
A little garlic and onion powder act as the base flavoring for every good recipe, the smoky paprika gives a wonderful smokiness (ovbs), paprika gives flavor AND beautiful coloration, and the brown sugar covers all the sweetness profile needed for that addictive flavor. Honestly, the perfect combination of all flavors right here. Not overly sweet and perfectly caramlized from the brown sugar
The cornstarch, added last or right before serving, is the key to it all – ultimate crispiness on the outside while sealing all the juiciness on the inside.
AIR FRYER CHICKEN
Equipment
- AIR FRYER
Ingredients
- 1 LB CHICKEN BREASTS SKINLESS AND BONELESS
- 2 TEASPOONS AVOCADO OIL
- 1/2 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER
- 1/2 TEASPOON ONION POWDER
- 1/4 TEASPOON SMOKED PAPRIKA
- 1 TEASPOON PAPRIKA
- 3/4 TEASPOON SALT TABLE OR KOSHER
- 1 1/2 TEASPOONS BROWN SUGAR
- 1 TEASPOON CORNSTARCH
Instructions
- CUT CHICKEN BREASTS IN HALF FIRST, STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE (LIKE BUTTERFLY THEN CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO SEPARATE). NEXT, CUT LARGE PIECES IN HALF INTO TWO PIECES, YOU SHOULD HAVE 3-4 PIECES PER CHICKEN BREAST. THE CHICKEN NEEDS TO BE THIN FOR THIS RECIPE TO WORK THE RIGHT WAY!
- COMBINE SEASONINGS IN A SMALL BOWL AND MIX THROUGHLY WITH A TINY WHISK.
- WHILE PREPPING CHICKEN, PREHEAT AIR FRYER TO 400 F FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES.
- PAT CHICKEN DRY WITH PAPER TOWEL. ADD TO CHICKEN PIECES TO A SHALLOW BOWL AND COVER WITH HALF THE SEASONING. USING YOUR FINGERS PRESS FIRMLY INTO THE CHICIKEN COATING IT WELL. FLIP CHICKEN OVER AND REPEAT THE PROCESS. ONCE CHICKEN IS FULLY COATED (IT WILL SEEM LIKE A LOT OF SEASONING), ADD AVOCADO OIL TO EACH SIDE AND MAKE SURE IT'S COATED AND COVERED.
- ADD CHICKEN TO AIR FRYER BASKET AND AIR FRY AT 400 F FOR 10-12 MINUTES UNTIL CHICKEN INTERNALLY REACHES 165 F AND IS CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE EDGES (THE BEST PART THAT ALWAYS EATS FIRST).
- SLICE CHICKEN THINLY AND DIP INTO CHOSEN SAUCE.
- EAT AS IS WITH YELLLOW RICE AND TOMATO / CUCUMBER SALAD; CILANTRO RICE AND GRILLED VEGGIES; ON A BURGER BUN WITH LETTUCE, TOMATO AND BURGER SAUCE, OVER PASTA WITH CREAMY VODKA SAUCE; ON TOP OF A BIG LEAFY GREEN SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING; ON A CRISPY ROLL WITH CAESAR DRESSING, ROMAINE LETTUCE, AND PARMESAN; ON TOP OF RAMEN SOUP WITH A SOFT BOILED EGG; OR WITH FRENCH FRIES AND COLESLAW. ABSOLUTELY ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES!
Notes
DELECTABLE SAUCES
(ALSO FROM PINCH OF YUM): KOREAN GOCHUJANG GARLIC SAUCE- 1/2 CUP MAYO
- 2 TABLESPOONS KOREAN GOCHUJANG SAUCE
- 1 LARGE CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED
- 1 TEASPOON SOY SAUCE
- 1 TEASPOON RICE WINE VINEGAR
- S&P
- 1/4 CUP MAYO
- 1/4 CUP GREEK YOGURT
- 1 TABLESPOON CHOPPED CALABREAN CHILIS (OR 2-3 CHILIS)
- 1 LARGE CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED
- SPLASH OF PICKLE, OLIVE, OR PEPPORNCINI BRINE
- S&P
CAN THIS ONLY BE MADE IN AN AIR FRYER?
This can be made in a regular oven or toaster oven but the results will vary and won’t be as crispy as if you had used an Air Fryer.
CAN YOU SWITCH UP THE SEASONINGS?
Yes, absolutely! I would keep the cornstarch and brown sugar in the original seasoning blend so that you retain the crispiness and caramelization that is so fabulous on the outside of the chicken.
DO YOU HAVE TO USE CHICKEN BREASTS?
You could definitley use chicken thighs or other meats but would need to adjust cooking times based on the type, I would suggest checking it and then watching it closely to make sure it doesn’t dry out or burn on the outside.
CAN YOU PRE-COAT THE CHICKEN OR MARINADE IT EARLY?
I would only suggest adding the seasonings to the chicken right before cooking it. The cornstarch can change properties one applied to the chicken and after becoming wet with the avocado oil. You can however, pre mix the basic seasonings and brown sugar beforehand then add cornstarch right before applying to the chicken. If you do this, the brown sugar may harden but it can easily be broken and crushed up to mix back in.
Original Recipe- https://pinchofyum.com/ridiculously-good-air-fryer-chicken-breast
P.S We have the Ninja Foodie 8 Qt Dual Zone Air Fryer and we love it! I absolutely love that it has two baskets. However, note that if using both baskets at the same thing, your results will not be as crispy or cook as quickly.
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