Olivia Carter
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, then cooking floured chicken in an air fryer is the perfect solution! The air fryer can give you that crispy texture and delicious flavor you crave, but with less oil and fewer calories. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make!
To cook floured chicken in an air fryer, you’ll start by preparing your chicken. Coat the chicken pieces in a flavorful flour mixture, which can include a combination of spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then, simply place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket. You can cook them in batches if necessary, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
Next, set the air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C), and cook the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The high heat and circulating air in the air fryer will cook the chicken quickly and evenly, giving it that crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum flavor and tenderness. Serve your floured chicken with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside some tasty sides, and enjoy a guilt-free and delicious meal!
Preparing the Floured Chicken
To prepare the floured chicken for cooking in the air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the flour coating adhere better.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This flour mixture will add flavor and crispiness to the chicken.
Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all sides evenly. You can use tongs or your hands for this step, just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Once the chicken breasts are coated in flour, shake off any excess and place them on a plate or cutting board. Let them rest for a few minutes to allow the flour to adhere to the chicken.
Now, your floured chicken is ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cooking time and temperature.
Butterfly the Chicken Breast
To cook floured chicken in an air fryer, it’s important to butterfly the chicken breast. This technique involves splitting the chicken breast in half horizontally, creating a thinner piece of meat that cooks more quickly and evenly.
Start by placing the chicken breast on a cutting board and holding it flat with the palm of your hand. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice into the thickest part of the breast, being mindful not to cut all the way through. Open up the breast like a book, so it lays flat on the cutting board.
Next, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken breast, making it an even thickness throughout. This step ensures that the chicken will cook evenly in the air fryer.
Once the chicken breast is butterflied and pounded, season it with salt and pepper or any other desired seasonings. This will help enhance the flavor of the chicken as it cooks.
Now the chicken breast is ready to be coated in flour before cooking it in the air fryer. This floured coating will give the chicken a crispy exterior, similar to deep-fried chicken, but with less oil and fewer calories.
Pro tip: For added flavor, you can also marinate the chicken breast before coating it in flour. This will help infuse the meat with additional taste and tenderness.
Buttering the chicken breast is a crucial step in preparing floured chicken in an air fryer. It ensures the meat cooks evenly and results in a crispy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any meal.
Season the Chicken with Salt and Pepper
Step 1: Before cooking the chicken, it is essential to season it properly. Start by patting the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Step 2: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with a generous amount of salt and pepper. The salt will bring out the natural flavors of the chicken while the pepper adds a bit of heat and depth.
Step 3: For an extra kick of flavor, consider adding other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.
Step 4: Use your hands to gently massage the seasonings into the chicken, ensuring that each piece is evenly coated. This will help the flavors penetrate the meat and create a deliciously seasoned final dish.
Step 5: Let the seasoned chicken sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to fully infuse. This step is optional but highly recommended for maximum flavor.
Step 6: After the chicken has rested, it is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 375°F (190°C).
Note: Adjust the cooking time and temperature according to the thickness of the chicken pieces. Thicker pieces will require longer cooking times.
Coating the Chicken in Flour
Coating your chicken in flour is an essential step to achieve the crispy texture when cooking it in an air fryer. This coating helps to seal in the juices and creates a golden brown crust on the outside.
Here’s how to coat your chicken in flour:
1. Prepare the Flour Mixture
Start by preparing the flour mixture. In a shallow dish, combine all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings or herbs you prefer. Mix them well together to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
2. Coat the Chicken
Take each piece of chicken and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly on all sides. Gently shake off any excess flour.
Tip: You can use a fork or tongs to handle the chicken while coating it in flour to keep your hands clean.
3. Let it Rest
After coating the chicken in flour, let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the flour to adhere to the chicken and helps create a crispier texture when cooked.
Tip: Place the coated chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow any excess flour to fall off and prevent the chicken from becoming soggy.
4. Repeat if Necessary
If you want an extra crispy coating, you can repeat the flour coating process. Dip the chicken back into the flour mixture and coat it again, ensuring an even distribution of flour.
Tip: Using a double coating of flour can give your chicken a nice, crunchy texture.
Once your chicken is coated in flour, you’re ready to cook it in the air fryer. Follow your recipe or air fryer manufacturer’s instructions for preheating and cooking times. Enjoy your deliciously crispy floured chicken!
Dredge the Chicken in Flour
To begin, you will need to dredge the chicken in flour. This will help create a crispy outer coating when it is cooked in the air fryer. Here is what you need to do:
- Start by placing the chicken pieces on a clean plate or cutting board.
- In a shallow dish, add some all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer.
- Mix the flour mixture well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Coat each piece of chicken with the flour mixture, making sure to press down firmly to ensure it adheres well.
- Shake off any excess flour and place the coated chicken on a separate plate.
- Continue until all the chicken pieces are coated in flour.
Once the chicken is dredged in flour, it is ready to be cooked in the air fryer. The flour coating will help lock in the moisture of the chicken while giving it a deliciously crispy texture. Enjoy your floured chicken cooked in the air fryer!
Shake off Excess Flour
Once you have coated your chicken pieces in flour, it’s important to shake off any excess before placing them in the air fryer. This will help prevent the flour from becoming clumpy and ensure a crispy coating on your chicken.
To shake off the excess flour, you can gently tap the chicken against the side of the bowl or use a fork to lift the pieces and allow any loose flour to fall off. Be sure to do this over the bowl containing the flour to catch any runaway pieces.
It’s also a good idea to give the chicken a light shake or flick with your wrist to further remove any excess flour. This step is important as too much flour can interfere with the cooking process and result in a gummy texture on the chicken.
Note: Be careful not to shake off too much flour as it helps create a golden crust on the chicken. You want a thin, even coating of flour for maximum crispiness.
Questions and Answers
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around the food using convection mechanism. It produces crispy, golden-brown results similar to deep frying, but with less oil.
Can I use flour to cook chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use flour to cook chicken in an air fryer. Coating the chicken with flour helps to create a crispy exterior when air fried.
How do I cook floured chicken in an air fryer?
To cook floured chicken in an air fryer, you’ll need to preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature. Then, coat the chicken in flour, seasonings, and any other desired coatings. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for the recommended time, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
What are the benefits of cooking chicken in an air fryer?
Cooking chicken in an air fryer has several benefits. It helps to reduce the amount of oil used in cooking, resulting in a healthier dish. It also produces crispy chicken with a golden-brown exterior, similar to deep frying. Additionally, cooking chicken in an air fryer is quicker than traditional methods and the cleanup is easier.
