If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to cook breaded chicken breast, then you might consider using an air fryer. The air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying. But how long do you need to cook breaded chicken breast in an air fryer?

The cooking time for breaded chicken breast in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and the temperature of your air fryer. In general, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to cook a breaded chicken breast in an air fryer. However, you should always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C) to prevent any foodborne illness.

To cook breaded chicken breast in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded chicken breast in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Cook the chicken for about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices redistribute and make the chicken even juicier. Serve the breaded chicken breast with your favorite dipping sauce or on a bun for a delicious and healthy meal.

How Long to Cook Breaded Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Breast Strips | Fully Cooked | 16G Protein | Frozen |1.50 LB
Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Breast Strips | Fully Cooked | 16G Protein | Frozen |1.50 LB
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If you love crispy breaded chicken breasts but want to make them a bit healthier, the air fryer is the perfect kitchen appliance. Not only does it give you that crispy, golden brown texture, but it also cooks the chicken quickly and evenly. So, how long should you cook breaded chicken breasts in an air fryer?

Typically, breaded chicken breasts should be cooked in an air fryer for about 18-20 minutes at a temperature of 400°F (200°C). However, cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the specific model of air fryer you are using.

It’s important to preheat your air fryer before cooking to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior. Preheating usually takes around 3-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your breaded chicken breasts by coating them in flour, dipping them in beaten eggs, and coating them in breadcrumbs. Place the breaded chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

During the cooking process, it’s a good idea to flip the chicken breasts halfway through to ensure even browning. You can also spray them with a little cooking spray to enhance the crispy texture.

Once the cooking time is complete, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be fully cooked and safe to eat. If they haven’t reached this temperature yet, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

After removing the breaded chicken breasts from the air fryer, let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.

Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Breast Bites Fully Cooked 16 G Protein Frozen 1.50 LB, 24 Ounce
Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Breast Bites Fully Cooked 16 G Protein Frozen 1.50 LB, 24 Ounce
Amazon.com
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Now that you know how long to cook breaded chicken breasts in an air fryer, you can enjoy this delicious and healthier alternative to traditional frying. Experiment with different seasonings and coatings to create your perfect breaded chicken dish.

Preparing the Chicken Breast

To start, gather all the necessary ingredients for your breaded chicken breast recipe. You will need:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup of bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Once you have all your ingredients ready, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C), for about 5 minutes.

In a shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.

In another shallow dish, beat the eggs until well combined.

Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Spicy Breast Fillets | Fully Cooked |22 G Protein | Frozen |1.50 LB
Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Spicy Breast Fillets | Fully Cooked |22 G Protein | Frozen |1.50 LB
Amazon.com

To prep the chicken breasts, start by patting them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the breading stick better.

Then, dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs, making sure to coat both sides.

Next, transfer the chicken breasts to the breadcrumb mixture and press firmly to coat both sides with the breading. Make sure the chicken is evenly covered.

Once coated, lightly drizzle olive oil over the breaded chicken breasts. This will help make the chicken crispy during the air frying process.

Set the prepared chicken breasts aside on a clean plate or wire rack until your air fryer is preheated and ready to cook.

Tyson Fully Cooked Crispy Chicken Strips, 25 oz (Frozen)
Tyson Fully Cooked Crispy Chicken Strips, 25 oz (Frozen)
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Breading the Chicken Breast

Before cooking the chicken breast in the air fryer, you will need to bread it. Breading the chicken adds a delicious crispy texture to the dish. To do this, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: herbs or spices of your choice

Here’s how to bread the chicken breast:

  1. Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, or any other herbs and spices you prefer. This will add flavor to the dish.
  2. Take one chicken breast and dip it into the flour, making sure it is fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
  3. Dip the floured chicken breast into the beaten eggs, making sure it is evenly coated.
  4. Next, place the chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture and press gently to coat it completely. Make sure the chicken is evenly breaded.
  5. Transfer the breaded chicken breast to a plate or tray and repeat the process with the other chicken breast.

Once the chicken breasts are breaded, you can proceed to cook them in the air fryer. The breading will turn golden brown and crispy, giving the chicken a delightful texture.

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Preheating the Air Fryer

Before you start cooking your breaded chicken breast in the air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. Preheating the air fryer ensures that it reaches the optimal cooking temperature, which results in better crispy and evenly cooked chicken.

To preheat the air fryer, follow these simple steps:

Tyson Fully Cooked Southern Style Breaded Chicken Tenders, 25 Oz (Frozen)
Tyson Fully Cooked Southern Style Breaded Chicken Tenders, 25 Oz (Frozen)
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1. Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
2. Set the timer for 5 minutes and allow the air fryer to preheat.
3. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your breaded chicken breast by coating it in breadcrumbs or a breading mixture of your choice.

By preheating your air fryer, you ensure that your breaded chicken breast cooks faster and more evenly. This step is essential for achieving that perfect crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Cooking the Chicken Breast

Before cooking the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer, you’ll want to preheat it to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the breaded chicken breasts in a single layer in the fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this may result in unevenly cooked chicken.

Cook the chicken breasts for approximately 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, so it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when the chicken breasts are fully cooked.

Keep in mind that air fryers may cook at slightly different temperatures, so it’s a good idea to check the chicken breasts for doneness a few minutes before the recommended cooking time is up. If necessary, you can continue cooking them for a few more minutes until they reach the desired temperature.

Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Spicy Breast Bites | Fully Cooked |16 G Protein | Frozen | 1.50 LB
Just Bare® Chicken Lightly Breaded Spicy Breast Bites | Fully Cooked |16 G Protein | Frozen | 1.50 LB
Amazon.com

Once the chicken breasts are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula. Allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Serve the breaded chicken breasts hot as a main dish or use them in sandwiches, salads, or wraps for a delicious meal.

Checking for Doneness

When cooking breaded chicken breast in an air fryer, it’s important to check for doneness to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly and safe to eat. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breast, as well as the specific model of the air fryer.

Internal Temperature

One of the most accurate ways to check the doneness of the breaded chicken breast is by using a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature. The chicken is considered safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Insert the food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast, making sure it doesn’t touch any bones, to get an accurate reading.

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Visual Appearance

In addition to using a food thermometer, you can also check the visual appearance of the breaded chicken breast to determine if it’s done cooking. The chicken should have a golden brown color and the breading should be crispy. Cut into the thickest part of the chicken breast and make sure there is no pink color. The juices should also run clear, indicating that the chicken is fully cooked.

Tyson Fully Cooked Honey Battered Chicken Breast Tenders, 25.5 Oz (Frozen)
Tyson Fully Cooked Honey Battered Chicken Breast Tenders, 25.5 Oz (Frozen)
Amazon.com
Chicken Thickness Cooking Time
1/2 inch (1.3 cm) 10-12 minutes
3/4 inch (1.9 cm) 12-14 minutes
1 inch (2.5 cm) 14-16 minutes

These cooking times are just a guideline, so it’s important to monitor the chicken closely as it cooks and adjust the cooking time as needed. Remember to check the internal temperature and visual appearance to ensure the breaded chicken breast is properly cooked before serving.

Q&A

How long should I cook breaded chicken breast in an air fryer?

It typically takes about 15-20 minutes to cook breaded chicken breast in an air fryer. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breast.

What temperature should I set the air fryer to cook breaded chicken breast?

It is recommended to set the air fryer to a temperature of 400°F (200°C) to cook breaded chicken breast. This high temperature helps to achieve a crispy and golden brown exterior.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking breaded chicken breast?

Yes, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the breaded chicken breast. Preheating helps to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

Can I use frozen breaded chicken breast in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen breaded chicken breast in an air fryer. However, the cooking time will be longer than if using thawed chicken breast. It is recommended to follow the instructions on the packaging for cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer.

How do I know if the breaded chicken breast is cooked through in an air fryer?

You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breast. It should reach a minimum temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered fully cooked. Additionally, the chicken should have a crispy and golden brown exterior.

What is the recommended cooking time for breaded chicken breast in an air fryer?

The recommended cooking time for breaded chicken breast in an air fryer is usually around 15-20 minutes. However, it may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts, as well as the brand and model of the air fryer.

How do I know when breaded chicken breast is cooked in an air fryer?

You can check if the breaded chicken breast is cooked in an air fryer by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure that it is fully cooked. You can also cut into the thickest part of the chicken breast to check if the meat is white and no longer pink.