Can You Put Dredge Chicken In An Air Fryer? (read this first)

When it comes to chicken, one of our family’s favourite meals is dredge chicken. But can you cook dredge chicken in an air fryer?

It turns out that yes, you can cook dredge chicken in an air fryer. If you want to find out how, keep reading.

What Is Dredge Chicken?

To those of you unfamiliar with the word dredge being used in conjunction with cooking food this might seem like an odd one. So let’s explain exactly what dredge chicken is.

The word dredge, when it’s used in cooking, means to coat the meat (in this case chicken) in flour before cooking. 

Dredging in flour is usually the first step in the breading process before the food is sautéed or deep fried.

Dredging works on any item that has some moisture which includes most meats. You need moisture for the flour to stick to the meat. When coating in breadcrumbs the meat is usually dredged in flour then dipped in egg before being coated with breadcrumbs.

How To Make Dredge Chicken

This is our favourite way of making dredge chicken and once you’ve tried it we’re sure you’ll love it too.

Ingredients

• 4 Chicken Breasts
• 100g (¾ cup) Plain Flour
• 100g (¾ cup) Cornflour
• 1 teaspoon Paprika (optional)
• 2 Large Eggs
• Salt & Pepper

Method

1. Rub salt & pepper into the chicken breasts
2. Mix the flour, cornflour and paprika in a bowl
3. Whisk the 2 eggs in another bowl
4. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture
5. Then dip in the egg
6. Then dredge the chicken in the flour mixture a second time
7. Shake any excess flour from the chicken
8. Then spray each dredged chicken breast with oil
9. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer allowing a space between each chicken breast
10. Air fry for 10 minutes at 200 C (400 F)
11. Turn the chicken breasts and spray with more oil
12. Air fry for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 75°C (167°F)
13. Remove from the basket and allow to rest for 3 to 4 minutes
14. Serve

Air Fried Dredge Chicken Cooking Tips

• You can use just plain flour if you prefer, but we find the plain flour/corn flour mixture gives a great combination of browning and crispness
• You can use paprika or any other spice you prefer or you can just use flour
• To get the dredge coating to stick, you should place the dredge chicken in the fridge for around 30 minutes before cooking
• Using parchment paper or disposable air fryer liners saves a lot on clean up time and prevents any damage to the air fryer basket
• Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of your chicken is safe (75°C/167°F)
• All air fryers are different which means cooking times can vary which is why we can’t stress enough the importance of checking the internal temperature before serving
• You should always allow the chicken to rest for 3 to 4 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and the fibres to relax

Air Fryer Dredge Chicken Cooking Times

The following times are average timings for most air fryers but should be treated as a guide only and not an absolute. Different cuts of chicken will take varying times to cook for example;

• Chicken Breasts
  Chicken breasts will take anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes in an air fryer depending on how thick they are. 
• Chicken Thighs
  Chicken thighs are an interesting one because although they’ll be safe to eat once the internal temperature reaches 75°C (167°F), most professional chefs will tell you that chicken thighs should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of  83 to 85°C (180 to 185°F). This higher temperature breaks down the meat fibres and makes the meat much more tender.
• Chicken Tenders
  Chicken tenders will take around 14 to 16 minutes to cook in an air fryer depending on their thickness.

Food Safety When Working WIth Raw Chicken

There are a few rules you should adhere to to keep your family safe when working with raw chicken. These include;

1. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw chicken. You should wash your hands using hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds to remove any bacteria etc.
2. Always use separate chopping boards to avoid cross contamination.
3. Always wash and sanitise any surface, utensil or chopping board that has come into contact with raw chicken using hot soapy water and disinfectant to remove any bacteria.
4. Always store raw chicken in a sealed container on the bottom shelf of the fridge.
5. Always thaw frozen chicken completely before cooking, this should be done in a microwave, overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water. Never thaw chicken at room temperature as this can encourage the growth of harmful germs and bacteria.
6. Always cook chicken thoroughly and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 75 C.
7. Always dispose of any packaging the chicken was wrapped in safely. Place the packaging in a plastic bag and tie the top to prevent it from leaking.

What came first: the chicken or the egg?
Eggs first, for breakfast, then fried chicken for dinner!

SEE ALSO:

• Can You Put Quorn Roast In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Yorkshire Puddings In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Toothpicks In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Frozen Chips In An Air Fryer?

Frequently Asked Questions