36 Best Air Fryer Chicken Recipes (Dinners, Appetizers & More!)

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From classics like air fryer chicken tenders and air fryer chicken nuggets to healthier versions of dishes like chicken parmesan, you’ll find so many recipes to love in this round-up of the best air fryer chicken recipes.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

My air fryer is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. It’s really revolutionized making dinner, offering up a way to get that deep-fried crispy texture without dousing food in oil! I use my air fryer at least twice a week, whether it’s for dinner or party appetizers.

Chicken is one of my go-to proteins when it comes to healthy dishes so it’s no surprise that I’ve combined the two, trying out many different air fryer chicken recipes. Below you’ll find my favorites, ranging from kid-friendly chicken nuggets to healthier versions of air fryer chicken parmesan, air fryer chimichangas, and more.

Why Cook Chicken In The Air Fryer?

Here are a few reasons why I love using my air fryer to cook chicken.

Healthier than frying. The main perk to cooking anything in the air fryer is that you don’t have to add large amounts of oil, so it’s infinitely better than frying.
Crispier than the oven. In addition, most air fryer chicken recipes turn out much crispier than if you made the same recipe in the oven, due to how the air circulates.
Quick and easy. And, finally, most air fryer chicken recipes require just a few minutes of prep, no pre-heating AND less than 30 minutes of cook time. Some of these recipes cook in mere minutes!

Common Questions

Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer? Yes, absolutely! Most of these air fryer chicken recipes start with raw chicken. Just be sure to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
Why is my chicken tough in the air fryer? If your chicken is tough, you likely cooked it for too long or at too high of a temperature, which caused it to dry out and become tough.
Does chicken need oil in air fryer? Nope. The wonderful thing about making chicken in the air fryer is that, in most cases, no oil is needed. But, for a golden crust on breading I like to spray a minimal amount of oil for best results.
Should you flip chicken in the air fryer? It depends on the recipe but in general, most air fryer chicken recipes should be flipped halfway through to ensure even cooking since the heating element is at the top.

36 Best Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

And now, without further ado, let’s dive right into the recipes. These air fryer chicken recipes range from complete dinners to appetizers and snacks, plus classics like chicken tenders and chicken nuggets. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re easy to make!