Secret to grilling juicy and flavorful chicken with an air fryer

Air fryers are increasingly establishing their position as an essential tool in every home kitchen. Not only do they save time, but they also create a wide range of delicious and tempting dishes. Among them, grilled chicken is a favorite for many. But, does grilling chicken in an air fryer retain the same unique flavor as grilling over charcoal? Don’t worry! In this article, X-BBQ will guide you on how to season chicken to perfection and share tips for grilling chicken in an air fryer, ensuring it stays tender and juicy with perfectly golden, crispy skin. Let’s explore it now

Benefits of grilling chicken with an air fryer

Grilling chicken with an air fryer may not achieve the distinct flavor of charcoal grilling, but it offers many benefits:

• Reduces oil and fat, good for health: Air fryers use circulating hot air technology to cook food evenly without much oil. This helps reduce excess fat, resulting in crispy, delicious grilled chicken while keeping your diet healthy. Plus, you can pair it with zero-calorie seasonings from X-BBQ for a tasty yet light meal.
• Saves time and effort: With an air fryer, you save time throughout the grilling process. Simply season the chicken, place it in the fryer, set the temperature and time, and let the air fryer do the rest.
• Delicious, evenly cooked results: The convection cooking technology ensures the chicken is exposed to heat evenly, cooking it more consistently. However, it’s important to ensure the chicken pieces have similar thickness, as thinner parts like wings or drumsticks may burn before the meat inside is fully cooked.
• Easy to clean: Air fryers typically come with non-stick trays and detachable grease collection trays, making cleaning up after cooking quick and easy.
• Versatile, suitable for various dishes: In addition to grilled chicken, the air fryer can prepare a wide range of other dishes, such as fish, shrimp, bread, vegetables, and more. This kitchen appliance is perfect for every household.

Ingredients for air fryer grilled chicken

• Whole chicken (1.5kg – 2kg)

Seasoning for salt and chili grilled chicken in the air fryer

• Sugar: 1 tablespoon
• MSG: ⅓ teaspoon
• Salt: ⅓ teaspoon
• Pepper: ⅓ teaspoon
• Garlic: 5 cloves
• Shallots: 7 bulbs
• Green onion ends: 4 pieces
• Honey: 3 tablespoons
• Cooking oil: 5 tablespoons
• Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Annatto powder: 3 tablespoons
• Turmeric powder: ⅓ teaspoon
• Chili pepper: 1 whole
• Chili sauce: 2 tablespoons

|See more: How to make perfect grilled chicken with chili salt: crispy skin, juicy meat

Seasoning for honey grilled chicken in the air fryer

• Lemongrass, garlic, and shallots, finely chopped
• Shrimp salt: 1 tablespoon
• Chili powder: 1 tablespoon
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Chili paste: 2 tablespoons
• Chili sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Honey: 2 tablespoons

|See more: Recipe for golden honey grilled chicken: Juicy and irresistibly delicious

Step-by-step instructions for honey grilled chicken in the air fryer

Prepare the chicken:

• Clean the chicken by rubbing it with coarse salt to remove any odor, then rinse with clean water and let it drain.
• Use a knife to make a few cuts on the chicken’s body to help the seasoning penetrate more deeply.

Prepare the marinade:

• Mix all the prepared ingredients in a bowl.
• Apply the marinade mixture evenly over the entire chicken, both inside and out.
• Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours (for best results, marinate overnight in the fridge to allow the flavors to soak in).

Preheat the air fryer:

• Before placing the chicken in, preheat the air fryer at 180°C for about 5 minutes.

Grill the chicken:

• Place the chicken in the air fryer, with the skin side down first.
• Grill at 180°C for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, flip the chicken, brush an additional layer of honey on the skin, and grill for another 15 minutes at 200°C to achieve a golden, crispy skin.

Check if the chicken is cooked:

• Use a skewer to pierce the thickest part of the meat. If no pink juices run out, the chicken is cooked.
• For salt and chili grilled chicken, once the chicken is done, you can sprinkle chili powder or Tây Ninh salt on the surface of the chicken for a perfect finishing touch.

Tips for making juicy, delicious air fryer grilled chicken:

To make juicy and flavorful grilled chicken using an air fryer, just follow a few simple tips:

• Marinate the chicken well: Use ingredients like garlic, onion, pepper, honey, and herbs to marinate the chicken. It’s best to marinate for at least 1-2 hours or overnight so that the flavors penetrate and make the chicken more delicious.
• Use the right cooking temperature: Grill the chicken at 180-200°C. This temperature ensures even cooking, crispy skin, and tender, juicy meat. You can also flip the chicken once during cooking to prevent burning or uneven cooking.
• Spray a light layer of oil on the skin: Before grilling, spray a thin layer of oil on the chicken’s skin to make it crispy and golden without needing to use too much oil.
• Brush with honey or sauce: Finally, you can brush a layer of honey or sauce on the chicken during the last few minutes of grilling to add a glossy finish and sweet flavor.

By applying these tips, you’ll have perfectly grilled chicken in the air fryer with crispy skin, tender meat, and full of flavor.

Conclusion

With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, and juicy grilled chicken made in the air fryer. This dish is not only easy to make but also saves time while maintaining a healthy eating routine. Try it today and discover the wonderful benefits that the air fryer can bring to your family meals