How to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer
Chicken is one of my favourite things to cook in the air fryer.
Whether it’s juicy chicken breasts, crispy skin-on thighs, sticky wings or even a whole roast chicken, the air fryer cooks chicken beautifully while keeping it tender on the inside and deliciously crisp on the outside.
I’ve cooked hundreds of chicken recipes over the years, and these are the timings I come back to time and time again.
Just remember that every air fryer is slightly different, so use these timings as a guide and always make sure your chicken is cooked through before serving.
If you’re always worried about undercooking chicken and end up overcooking it instead (believe me, I’ve been there!), one kitchen gadget I’d really recommend is a digital meat thermometer. It takes all the guesswork out of knowing when your chicken is cooked, so you can enjoy perfectly juicy chicken every time.
Air Fryer Chicken Cooking Times
Chicken Breasts – 190°C 17–19 mins
Chicken Thighs – 190°C 26–28 mins
Chicken Drumsticks – 200°C 22–24 mins
Chicken Wings – 180°C 40 mins
Whole Chicken – 180°C 60 mins
Chicken Breasts
At 190°C, they usually take around 17 to 19 minutes, depending on their size.
I like to give them a light spray of oil before cooking, along with plenty of seasoning, then turn them halfway through so they colour evenly.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is overcooking chicken because they’re worried it isn’t done.
That’s why I always recommend using a digital meat thermometer. It takes away all the guesswork and means you can cook chicken until it’s perfectly juicy without drying it out.
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are one of the easiest cuts to cook in an air fryer and one of the cuts I cook the most.
I cook medium-sized, skin-on thighs at 190°C for around 26 to 28 minutes.
For the crispiest skin, I start with the chicken skin-side down, then turn them over half way through. Give them a light spray of oil when you turn over.
Even though thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts, I still like to check them with a meat thermometer if they’re particularly large.
Chicken Drumsticks
Drumsticks cook beautifully in the air fryer.
I cook them at 200°C for 22 to 24 minutes, turning them halfway through so they colour evenly.
They’re perfect with a simple seasoning or coated in your favourite sticky sauce. Try adding BBQ, Hoisin or Teriyaki sauce for the last few minutes of cooking and thank me later.
As with any chicken, if you’re unsure, a quick check with a meat thermometer gives you complete confidence that they’re cooked through.
Chicken Wings
If you like crispy wings, the air fryer is hard to beat.
I cut whole wings into drumettes and flats, pat them dry, toss them with a little sunflower oil and seasoning, then cook them at 180°C for around 40 minutes, turning a couple of times throughout.
If I’m making sticky wings, I’ll toss them in sauce right at the end and return them to the air fryer for another couple of minutes so the sauce becomes deliciously glossy.
Whole Chicken
Yes, you can even cook a whole chicken in an air fryer.
For a medium-sized chicken, I rub it with a little oil and herbs before cooking.
I place it breast-side down for the first 30 minutes at 180°C, then carefully turn it over and cook for another 30 minutes.
The result is beautifully juicy meat with lovely golden skin.
I check that the juices run clear, but my meat thermometer is what gives me complete confidence that it’s cooked perfectly without being overdone.
My Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken
Don’t overcrowd the drawer
Leave space around each piece so the hot air can circulate properly.
Pat the chicken dry
This helps the skin crisp up much better, especially on thighs, wings and drumsticks.
Use a little oil
Even though chicken contains natural fat, I still tend to give it a light spray of oil.
I find it helps the skin colour more evenly and gives an even crispier finish.
Use a meat thermometer
If there’s one kitchen gadget I’d recommend alongside an air fryer, it’s a digital meat thermometer.
It takes all the guesswork out of cooking chicken and means you don’t have to overcook it just to be on the safe side.
I use mine all the time and genuinely wouldn’t be without it.
Air Fryer Girl Tip 💡
I know I’ve been banging on about it in this article but honestly, If I could recommend just one accessory to buy alongside your air fryer, it would be a digital meat thermometer.
So many people overcook chicken because they’re worried it won’t be cooked through. A thermometer lets you cook it until it’s just right, juicy, tender and perfectly safe to eat.
It’s one of the most-used gadgets in my kitchen and something I recommend to every new air fryer owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook raw chicken in an air fryer?
Absolutely. The air fryer is brilliant for cooking raw chicken, provided it’s cooked right through before serving.
Should I spray chicken with oil?
I usually do.
Chicken often contains enough natural fat, but I find a light spray helps it brown more evenly and gives a crispier finish.
Should you flip chicken halfway through cooking?
Yes.
Turning chicken halfway helps it cook and colour more evenly.
How do you know when chicken is cooked?
The easiest and most reliable way is to use a digital meat thermometer.
It removes the guesswork and helps you avoid overcooking your chicken. You can also check that the juices run clear and there’s no pink meat remaining.
Can you cook frozen chicken?
You can, although cooking times will be longer. I generally prefer cooking from fresh where possible.
The Bottom Line
Chicken and air fryers are a brilliant combination.
Whether you’re cooking juicy chicken breasts, crispy thighs, sticky wings or even a whole roast chicken, the air fryer delivers fantastic results with very little effort.
Use the timings above as a guide, don’t be afraid to adjust them slightly for your own air fryer and, if there’s one piece of advice I’d leave you with, invest in a digital meat thermometer. It will give you the confidence to cook perfectly juicy chicken every time without worrying whether it’s cooked through.
