These air fryer chicken legs are seasoned with a simple blend of ingredients and cooked to absolute perfection. They are so juicy and have the tastiest, crispiest skin! I get so excited when a recipe turns out so well like this one. Everything works together to make a meal that is unbelievably good! This is why I use my air fryer so much—recipes like this are the reason why.
How Long Should You Air Fry Chicken at 350 Degrees for Perfectly Cooked Results?
Air frying has become one of the most popular cooking methods in recent years. The ability to cook crispy delicious fried chicken without all the added oil and fat of traditional deep frying makes air frying an appealing option for many home cooks. However, to achieve the ideal texture and doneness when air frying chicken knowing the right temperature and cook times is key. So how long should you air fry chicken at 350 degrees?
This guide has all the information you need to make sure your air-fried chicken is always crispy, juicy, and flavorful, no matter if you’re cooking boneless breasts, thighs, wings, or drumsticks.
The Benefits of Air Frying Chicken at 350 Degrees
Cooking chicken in an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit offers several advantages:
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Uses little to no oil, resulting in healthier, lower-fat chicken. Air frying significantly reduces calories compared to deep frying.
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If cooked right, it makes chicken that is crispy and crunchy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. The circulating hot air browns and crisps the outside.
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Quick cooking times thanks to the rapid air circulation. Sections of chicken cook fast in an air fryer.
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Versatile for all cuts of chicken from breasts to wings. Drumsticks and thighs also work well.
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Easy to add flavors from spices, herbs and marinades for tasty chicken.
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Convenient and simple to operate. Most air fryers have digital controls and settings.
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Less messy than pan frying or deep frying chicken. Oil splatter is minimized.
You’re cooking at the best temperature for perfectly cooked, crispy chicken in your air fryer when you set it to 350 degrees F.
Cook Times for Common Chicken Cuts
To obtain the best results when air frying chicken at 350 degrees, use these general guidelines for cook times:
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Boneless chicken breasts: 12-15 minutes
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Bone-in chicken breasts: 18-22 minutes
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Boneless chicken thighs: 14-18 minutes
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Bone-in chicken thighs: 22-28 minutes
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Chicken wings: 18-24 minutes
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Chicken drumsticks: 23-28 minutes
Keep in mind that the size of the pieces, thickness of the meat and whether or not it’s frozen may alter the cook times. Smaller pieces may cook faster than larger pieces. Frozen chicken will take longer than fresh or thawed. Monitor closely and check for doneness.
4 Tips for Perfectly Cooked Air Fried Chicken
Follow these tips for flawlessly cooked chicken every time you air fry at 350 degrees:
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Pat chicken dry before cooking. This helps achieve extra crispy skin.
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Use a light coating of oil. A thin layer of olive or avocado oil helps the chicken get crispy.
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Preheat air fryer at 350°F before cooking. This reduces overall cook time.
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Flip chicken halfway during cooking for even browning and texture.
Checking Doneness
Always verify chicken is fully cooked through before eating. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F for safety. If juices run clear when pierced, the chicken is done.
Seasoning Ideas
One benefit of air frying is that chicken takes on lots of great flavors. Consider rubs, herbs, spices, citrus, jerk seasoning, bbq sauce and more. Get creative with the seasonings!
Putting it All Together
Thanks to its ability to produce crispy, juicy chicken in a fraction of the time, air frying at 350 degrees F is a winning technique. Follow these guidelines for cook times based on the cut of chicken. Monitor thickness and flip halfway. Use a thermometer to confirm doneness. With the right tips, you’ll be enjoying tender, flavorful chicken from your air fryer in no time.
Other Recipes You Might Like
If you like this recipe, you’re really gonna love a few more of our air fryer chicken recipes!
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Oh my goodness! This wings recipe will make your homemade wings even better. We season the wings perfectly and then air fry them until they are crispy and juicy. No messy sauces either. For any event, these wings are sure to be a hit.
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Our air fryer chicken thighs are the tastiest because they don’t have any bones or skin on them. All you need are a few simple ingredients.
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. There is no better way to enjoy chicken tenders than by cooking them in an air fryer. We use boneless, skinless chicken breast and a simple breading to make tenders that are just as good as any restaurant-made chicken tenders.
For this recipe the chicken must be defrosted or fresh.
The cayenne adds a little kick and helps boost the other flavors. You can omit the cayenne entirely if you want to heat at all.
Make sure that you pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel first. Out of the package, there will be lots of water moisture. Too much moisture can cause the skin to steam, and we won’t get the Maillard reaction that gives us that beautiful look and taste. Also, temps can vary from appliance to appliance. If your chicken legs aren’t showing much color after 15 minutes, turn the temp up to 400° for the final minutes of cooking time.
We have a great recipe for Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs!
Start With Simple Ingredients
I love making recipes that use everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. We use smoked paprika, ground mustard, onion and garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne in this recipe. Add 6 chicken legs and a tablespoon of vegetable oil to a large zip-top bag. Then, mix everything together. Shake it all up real well and let it marinate in the refrigerator. How long? If you can let it marinate for at least an hour, you’ll be glad you did. If you can let it marinate overnight, oh wow!.
How I Mastered Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (what I did)
FAQ
How long to cook chicken in air fryer?
At 375 degrees, chicken breasts should be cooked for about 23-26 minutes, thighs for 20-23 minutes, and wings for approximately 30 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature is 165°F before serving. How Long to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer at 350 Degrees?.
What temperature do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
The optimal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer depends on the cut. For chicken breasts and thighs, 360°F to 400°F is ideal. Thighs and drumsticks fare best at the higher range around 400°F, while breasts are better at 360°F to ensure they remain juicy. Can I Cook a Whole Chicken in an Air Fryer?.
How long do you cook boneless chicken breast in an air fryer?
Chicken breasts are a versatile and popular choice, and cooking them in an air fryer is a great way to retain their juiciness while achieving a crispy exterior. This is how long boneless, skinless chicken breasts should be cooked: – Thawed: Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.
How long to air fry chicken breast at 400F?
Learn how long to air fry chicken breast at 400F for tender and juicy chicken breast. Preheat your air fryer to 400F for 3-5 minutes before cooking the chicken. Use a light coat of cooking spray or oil on the chicken breasts to help them crisp up. Season the chicken breasts with your favorite spices or herbs.
How long does it take to fry chicken at 350 degrees?
At 350 degrees, chicken is cooked through and has a nice crispy skin. It takes about 30 minutes to cook chicken at this temperature, so it’s best to fry it at least once a week. Can you fry chicken at 325 degrees? No matter what your oven is like, you can fry chicken at a temperature of 325 degrees.
Can you cook frozen chicken in an air fryer?
Frozen chicken will take longer to cook compared to thawed chicken. It’s recommended to thaw your chicken before cooking for more even and consistent results. However, if you’re short on time, you can still cook frozen chicken in an air fryer. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
How long does it take to air fry chicken at 350 degrees?
Place the basket in the air fryer and turn the air fryer to 350°F. Cook for 14 minutes, then flip the fried chicken with tongs, spray lightly with oil a second time on the bottom side of the chicken, and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes, until white meat reaches 165°F and dark meat reaches 175°F (I find that cooking .
How long does it take to cook a chicken at 350 degrees?
Food Network says that baking a whole chicken at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes per pound plus another 15 to 20 minutes is normal. For example, a 3-pound chicken would take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
How long do air fryers take to cook chicken?
step 2. Roll each oiled chicken breast in the seasoning and put in your air fryer basket. Cook at 180C for 18-20 mins, turning after 10 mins.
How long to air fry raw chicken at 375 degrees?
Place chicken in the air fryer basket, presentation side down, and cook for 8 minutes at 375°F. Turn the chicken over and keep cooking until an instant-read thermometer reads 155°F in the thickest part, which should take another 6 to 8 minutes. Apr 5, 2023.