Juicy Chicken Breast Air Fryer VS Oven

Juicy Chicken Breast Air Fryer VS Oven

Are you tired of dry and flavorless chicken breast? Look no further! Today, we're sharing a recipe that will leave your taste buds craving for more - juicy and flavorful chicken breast! We'll be comparing two cooking methods: the classic oven and the trendy air fryer. Get ready to learn the secrets to achieving perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken breast in either appliance.

Pound the chicken breast to even it out: One of the key steps in this recipe is to pound the thicker part of the chicken breast to even it out, ensuring that the chicken is cooked evenly and remains juicy. This technique also reduces the cooking time, allowing you to prepare the chicken faster.

Cooking chicken breast to 160°F before resting: To ensure that the chicken breast is perfectly cooked and moist, this recipe recommends cooking the chicken breast to an internal temperature of 160°F before removing it from the oven or air fryer. The residual heat will continue to cook the chicken and bring it to the ideal temperature of 165°F while allowing the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken breast.

FAQs

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast in this recipe?

A: Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast in this recipe. However, keep in mind that the cooking time and internal temperature may differ, so it's important to adjust accordingly.

Q: Can I use a different seasoning blend?

A: Absolutely! This recipe uses a blend of Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, but you can use any seasoning blend that you prefer or have on hand.

Q: Can I skip the step of pounding the chicken breast?

A: While pounding the chicken breast is an important step to ensure even cooking, you can skip this step if you prefer. Just be aware that the thicker part of the chicken breast may take longer to cook, resulting in a less evenly cooked chicken breast.

Q: Do I need a meat thermometer for this recipe?

A: While not absolutely necessary, using a meat thermometer is highly recommended to ensure that the chicken breast is cooked to the ideal internal temperature of 165°F. This will prevent undercooked or overcooked chicken breast and ensure that it is safe to eat.

Make it

Juicy Chicken Breast Air Fryer VS Oven Recipe

Ingredients:

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil

Instructions:

Place a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken breast and pound down on the thicker part of the chicken breast using a meat tenderizer. We want to even it out so it cooks evenly, but be careful not to over-pound it.

Trim some of the excess fat off the chicken breast.

In a small mixing bowl, combine Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit or the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drizzle about one tablespoon of avocado oil or olive oil over your chicken breast and rub it all over the chicken breast.

Sprinkle the chicken rub that we just created all over the chicken breast and rub it into the meat with your fingers. Flip the chicken breast over and do the same thing on the other side.

If cooking in the oven, transfer the chicken breast to a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to flip the chicken breast over halfway through the cooking time. Once it's done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

If cooking in the air fryer, place the chicken breast into the basket and air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Check the internal temperature of your chicken and air fry for another 2 minutes if it's not at 160 degrees Fahrenheit yet. Once it's done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Once rested, slice the chicken breast and serve with your favorite sides.

Conclusion:

Both the air fryer and oven methods result in delicious and juicy chicken breast. However, the air fryer method takes less time, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Whether you choose to use the air fryer or oven, this recipe is sure to impress your taste buds!