The Reason Air Fryers Often Yield The Juiciest Chicken Breasts
Juiciness is the key to delectable meats, no matter the cooking method or the type of meat. But you have to be careful and find a cooking method that works for you. Tough meats (less fat) need to cook slower and on lower heat, while tender meats should cook fast and on higher heat, according to Kitchn. You can apply marinades, soak in brine, and cover with sauce to try to preserve moisture in the meat as the fat breaks down into juices, but the best way to find juiciness is through the way you cook the meat.
Enter the air fryer. There are tons of brands and models to choose from. With Americans seeking ways to eat healthier without sacrificing convenience or taste, says WebMD, air fryers offer a perfect countertop tool for your kitchen. They can cook many types of foods that once belonged in the deep fryer, on the stovetop, in a microwave, or in the oven. Plus, this versatile kitchen tool can actually make your meats, including chicken breasts, juicier compared to other cooking methods.
Air fryers seal in the juices
Jess Dang, founder of Cook Smarts, told Insider that an air fryer makes juicier chicken breast than stovetop or oven cooking. The reasons are threefold. First is the high heat, which quickly creates a brown, crispy layer on the outside of the chicken breasts much like oven roasting. A glaze on the breasts can help this process. Make sure not to add too much glaze for easier clean-up. But then the air fryer really takes it up a notch from here.
The constant airflow in the air fryer cooks the outside of the chicken quickly and evenly, something you typically find in a convection oven. "Due to the compact design of an air fryer, there's not as much room for the juices to evaporate like they sometimes do in other methods," Dang said. Air fryers also don't have preheating times. The fans in an air fryer turn faster, making the outer layer of food crispier, compared to a convection oven. The one caveat? Air fryers can't cook larger meals, says Eating Well. But there are still plenty of great recipes out there for juicy chicken breasts in your air fryer.
Recipes for juicy chicken breasts in an air fryer
The Recipe Critic has a simple yet delicious recipe for juicy chicken breasts in an air fryer. Rub both sides of two boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a light coating of olive oil. Cover with your choice of seasonings. Then cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for nine minutes, take them out, flip them over, and cook for another nine minutes. Just like that, you've got juicy, savory chicken breasts in less than 20 minutes. Consider adding some vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, or squash, for a complete meal.
Try something with more flavors and textures thanks to this easy-to-prepare stuffed chicken breast recipe. Stuff two 12-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a mixture of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese, shredded Parmesan, cream cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes (finely chopped). Then stick a few spinach leaves in there. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 11 minutes, flip, and repeat for another 11 minutes. Like before, you get tender and juicy chicken breasts in less than 30 minutes. Enjoy elevating your air fryer game with these tips for the best chicken breasts.