Air Fryer Chicken and Potatoes: Easy & Delicious
Air fryers are the new phenomenon regarding cooking a variety of foods as they are way healthier compared to other fryers. An incredibly popular simple dish that can be prepared using an air fryer is chicken with potatoes in this case. These two dishes go together well and are ideal for those numerous nights when you just don’t have the time to cook, you’re hosting a family dinner or you simply want to cook in bulk and portion out for the week. Being a home-cooked dish in most households it is simple to prepare, more so, it does carry a lot of taste.
In this article, you are going to learn the process of cooking using an air fryer on a recipe of chicken and potatoes, understand the advantages of air fryers and how best to achieve a good outcome.
Why Air Fryer Chicken and Potatoes?
Cooking chicken and potatoes in the air fryer offers several benefits:
Healthier Option: Compared to other methods of frying, it consumes a very little amount of oil making it safer for your family.
Quick and Efficient: The air fryer is faster in its cooking method because hot circulating air speeds up the food’s cooking time.
Crispy Texture: The skin of the chicken as well as the chips come out crispy with the help of the air fryer and not at all dehydrated.
Versatile: Regarding the seasoning you can prepare the chicken and potatoes the way you like it and according to the seasons available.
What you Need for Air Fryer Chicken and Potatoes
Before you start, gather these simple ingredients:
4 pieces of chicken thigh or breast with skin removed and trimmed
4 averagely sized potatoes cut into cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh born herbs (optional) to garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make the perfect air fryer chicken and potatoes:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer
It is necessary to switch on your air fryer at 400°F or 200°C. It prevents initial sticking as well as evenly browns the chicken and potatoes for a crunchy skin surface.
- St. Honoré Polka Dot Chicken with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Before starting the air fryer prepare the chicken and potatoes, during this time the air fryer is preheating.
Cut the potatoes into small sizes of cubes.
On a large bowl, mix the chicken and potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika oregano, salt and pepper. Make sure to spread the seasoning all over the chicken and potatoes.
- Cook the Chicken and Potatoes
Arrange the seasoned chicken and potatoes in one layer in the basket and do not over packs the air fryer basket. If necessary, use in several portions to prevent pieces from sticking together as that would cause uneven browning.
Fry for 15-20 min stirring the basket to the middle and then, to the bottom after 12 min to make all the mince cook evenly.
Chicken should be permitted to cook inside a way that its internal temperature gets up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 75 degrees Celsius to avoid the health risk.
- Check for Doneness
The cooking process should take 15-20 minutes and the readiness of the chicken should be tested using a meat thermometer. The chicken crust skin should be crispy and brown in color and the potatoes on the inside should be soft yet the skin china outside.
- Serve and Enjoy!
After this, set aside the chicken and potatoes in the air fryer. For garnishing sprinkle some fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme, and serve hot. This dish goes well when served together with green leaves or other simply roasted vegetables.
5 Tips to Get the Best Chicken and Potatoes Air Fryer
Cut Potatoes Evenly: It is important to cut the potatoes equal sizes to ensure they are well cooked at the middle.
Use a Meat Thermometer: To prevent overcooking or undercooking food, you have to pull the chicken out and check by using a themometor to test the temperature.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: One may find with overcrowding the potatoes become mushy and the chicken is not cooked uniformly. For the best results, you should cook in batches if your air fryer is of a small size.
Season Generously: Both potatoes and chicken allow for an array of seasoning. You can try other herbs and spices depending with the flavor you prefer most.
Shake the Basket: Coocking the chicken and potato halfway in the shaking basket makes sure all the chickens are cooked and have reached that crispy stage.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Meal Prep
This air fryer chicken and potatoes are convenient for serving on any weeknight and at the same time are good when it comes to meal prepping. The recipe can be scale up to twist or thrice and the leftover portions should be stored in the refrigerator for 4 days only. To assist in serving, all that is required can be heated in the air fryer or microwave before being served.
Nutritional Benefits
This air fryer chicken and potatoes recipe is a well-balanced meal:
Protein: Meat particularly chicken foods are so rich in proteins which are so important in the building of muscles as well as repairing of them.
Healthy Fats: The olive oil that was used in this recipe contains monounsaturated fats that are good for the heart.
Complex Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates received from potatoes help to have energy although it contains high fats; but if taken with its skin it contains fibre.
Vitamins and Minerals: Chicken and potatoes are the major sources of Vitamin B6, potassium and phosphorus respectively.
Variations to Try
While the basic air fryer chicken and potatoes recipe is delicious as is, you can easily customize it with different flavors and ingredients:
Lemon Garlic Chicken and Potatoes: You can also incorporate lemon juice and the zest into your marinade for that citrus taste.
Italian Style: Coat the chicken, and the potato with Italian seasoning and complement it with marinara sauce.
Spicy Kick: Use cayenne pepper or chili powder for seasoning to get that spicy type of macaroni and cheese.
Veggie Add-ins: Add other vegetables such as the bell peppers, onions or carrots, to bring color and nutritional value into the dish.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, the same applies to chicken breast and if in a hurry you can use it but it might cook faster than the thighs. Ensure temperature inside is not high in order to prevent foods from being overcooked.
Does it necessary to turn the chicken and potatoes over while in the air fryer?
Flipping the basket in mid cooking is important as it helps in uniform cooking but it does not in anyway mean that one has to flip it.
How do I store leftovers?
For best result, the leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If there is any left over it should be reheated in an air fryer or microwave and served again.
Conclusion
Chicken and potatoes air fryer recipe is delicious, healthy and easy meal that can be prepared for weeknight dinner or meal prep. By simply using the few ingredients and having low preparation time, one can get to enjoy their foods that are such a joy to the sight as being crispy, golden-brown foods but are way much healthier to the deep-frying counterparts. No matter if you are novice to air fry cooking or if it is something you have been using for years this recipe will become a must go to!