Are you wondering how long to cook chicken breast in a Ninja Foodi Grill? I’ve been experimenting with my Ninja Foodi Grill since getting it as a Christmas gift, and I’m thrilled to share the perfect timing for juicy, tender chicken breasts with that amazing grilled flavor – all from the comfort of your kitchen!
The short answer Cook chicken breasts in the Ninja Foodi Grill for about 8 minutes per side (16 minutes total) on medium heat until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F
But there’s so much more to creating perfect chicken breasts than just the cooking time, Let’s dive into everything you need to know!
Why I Love Using the Ninja Foodi Grill for Chicken
Living in Florida where it’s crazy hot most of the year, I absolutely hate sweating and swatting bugs while trying to grill outdoors. That’s why I was so excited when I got my Ninja Foodi Grill! It’s not just a one-trick pony either – it has multiple functions including:
- Grill mode
- Air fryer mode
- Bake mode
- Roast mode
- Broil mode
- Dehydrate mode
The best part? You get that authentic charred grilled flavor and appearance without stepping foot outside. Perfect for hot summer days, rainy evenings, or when you just don’t feel like dealing with an outdoor grill.
Perfect Timing for Chicken Breasts in the Ninja Foodi Grill
Getting the timing right is crucial for juicy chicken breasts. Nobody wants dry, overcooked chicken! Here’s the detailed timing breakdown:
- Preheat time: Use the grill setting on medium heat
- Cook time: 16 minutes total (8 minutes per side)
- Rest time: 5-10 minutes before serving
The exact timing might vary slightly depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. Thicker pieces may need a minute or two longer while thinner cuts might cook faster. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness – chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, but I pull it at 160°F since it continues cooking during the resting period.
My Favorite Ninja Foodi Grill Chicken Breast Recipe
This simple but delicious recipe uses just a few ingredients and creates perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken breasts with amazing flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 24 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup avocado oil
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- ½ cup packed parsley leaves
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional garnishes: crushed red pepper flakes, Maldon sea salt, parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Prepare the marinade: In a blender, combine avocado oil, lemon juice and zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Process for 1 minute until smooth.
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Marinate the chicken: Place chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour all but ¼ cup of the marinade over the chicken and toss to coat. Reserve the remaining marinade for later. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
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Preheat the grill: Using the grill setting, preheat the Ninja Foodi Grill to medium heat. Set the timer to 16 minutes.
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Cook the chicken: When you get the “add food” notification, add the chicken to the grill. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip. Brush with the reserved marinade, and cook for another 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
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Rest before serving: Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. This helps redistribute the juices for maximum tenderness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Grilling Chicken Breasts
Even with the perfect timing, there are some pitfalls that can ruin your grilled chicken. Here’s what to watch out for:
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Skipping the marinating step: Even a quick 30-minute marinade makes a huge difference in flavor and juiciness.
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Not patting the chicken dry: If your chicken is too wet when it hits the grill, it won’t develop those nice grill marks.
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Opening the grill too frequently: Every time you open the Ninja Foodi Grill, heat escapes and cooking becomes less efficient.
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Skipping the resting period: This is super important! If you cut into chicken immediately after cooking, all those flavorful juices will run out onto your plate instead of staying in the meat.
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Using chicken straight from the refrigerator: Let your chicken sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
Tips for Testing Chicken Doneness
The FDA recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure safety. However, I’ve found that cooking to 160°F and then letting it rest works perfectly – the temperature will continue to rise during resting.
A good meat thermometer is worth the investment! Insert it into the thickest part of the breast for an accurate reading.
Visual cues can also help:
- Clear (not pink) juices
- White, opaque meat (no pink areas)
- Meat that pulls away from the bone (for bone-in cuts)
How to Adapt Cooking Times Based on Chicken Thickness
Not all chicken breasts are created equal! Here’s a quick guide for adjusting your cooking times:
| Chicken Breast Thickness | Approximate Cooking Time (per side) |
|---|---|
| Thin (½ inch) | 6-7 minutes |
| Medium (1 inch) | 8 minutes |
| Thick (1½+ inches) | 9-10 minutes |
Remember, these are just guidelines. Always use a meat thermometer for perfect results!
What If I Want to Use Frozen Chicken?
We’ve all been there – you forgot to defrost the chicken! While fresh is best, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in the Ninja Foodi Grill. Here’s how:
- Increase the cooking time to about 12-15 minutes per side (24-30 minutes total)
- Use a slightly lower heat setting to allow the inside to cook without burning the outside
- Check with a meat thermometer to ensure the center reaches 165°F
The results won’t be quite as good as using thawed chicken (especially since you can’t marinate frozen chicken), but it’ll work in a pinch!
Other Delicious Things to Cook in Your Ninja Foodi Grill
Once you’ve mastered chicken breasts, why not try some other tasty options:
- Salmon fillets (4-5 minutes per side)
- Pork chops (5-6 minutes per side)
- Hamburgers (4-5 minutes per side)
- Vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions (3-4 minutes per side)
- Fruit like pineapple or peaches (2-3 minutes per side)
The Ninja Foodi Grill is really versatile! I find myself using it several times a week for different meals.
My Final Thoughts on Cooking Chicken in the Ninja Foodi Grill
After using my Ninja Foodi Grill for over a year now, I can honestly say it’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances. The ability to get that outdoor grilled flavor without dealing with the heat or bugs is amazing. Plus, the consistent results make it foolproof – even on busy weeknights when I’m distracted by a million other things.
The 16-minute total cooking time (8 minutes per side) for chicken breasts is pretty much perfect in my experience. With the simple marinade recipe I’ve shared above, you’ll get restaurant-quality chicken that’s tender, juicy and full of flavor.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with the Ninja Foodi Grill! Have you tried grilling chicken breasts in it? Did you find the 16-minute cooking time worked for you? Feel free to comment below with your own tips and tricks!
Remember, the key to perfect grilled chicken is:
- A good marinade
- Proper preheating
- The right cooking time (8 minutes per side)
- Letting it rest before serving
Happy grilling, everyone!
FAQ: Cooking Chicken Breast in Ninja Foodi Grill
Q: Can I use other oils besides avocado oil in the marinade?
A: Yes! Olive oil works great too, though avocado oil has a higher smoke point which makes it ideal for grilling.
Q: Do I need to use the crisper basket or the grill plate?
A: Use the grill plate for chicken breasts to get those nice grill marks.
Q: Can I use bone-in chicken breasts?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time to about 10-12 minutes per side, depending on size.
Q: How do I clean the grill plate after cooking chicken?
A: Let it cool slightly, then wash with warm soapy water. Most food residue comes off easily if you clean it while still slightly warm.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
A: Yes, but add approximately 5-7 minutes to the total cooking time and check the internal temperature to ensure doneness.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken Breasts: I suggest carefully butterflying your boneless, skinless chicken breasts to create 4 thin pieces of chicken. Thin pieces of chicken make for extra crispy chicken Parmesan.
- Panko Bread Crumbs & Parmesan: I use a mixture of panko and Parm to ensure that the breading is not only extra crispy, but packed with flavor. To really ensure a crispy, even coating, I recommend adding even more panko than you need to your bowl.
- Seasonings: Dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic powder are added to the panko and Parmesan mixture to make our crispy coating extra flavorful.
- Marinara: I highly recommend making your marinara homemade, whether with our homemade marinara recipe or using the homemade recipe in our classic chicken Parmesan recipe. That being said, if you are short on time, you can use your favorite jarred brand, or checkout our list of the best store-bought marinara sauces.
- Mozzarella: Melty shredded mozzarella is an absolute must for crispy, saucy chicken Parmesan.
First, you’re going to want to carefully butterfly your chicken. Cut in half widthwise all the way through so that you have 4 pieces of very thin chicken. This is important in getting that perfect crispy bite. Then, season all over with salt and pepper.
Then, create your dredging station by adding flour (seasoned with salt and pepper) to a bowl, then beat eggs in a second bowl, and combine panko, Parmesan, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder in a third bowl. Working one at a time, coat your chicken in the flour, then the eggs, and finally the panko, shaking off the excess between each step. Make sure when you’re dipping your cutlets in the egg mixture that you truly get every single surface covered, then do the same with your dry mix. This will guarantee that your breading will stay on your chicken (where it belongs).
Once your chicken is adequately well-coated, arrange your chicken in an even layer in your air fryer. You may have to work in batches here—don’t overcrowd. Cook at 400°, turning once, about 5 minutes per side.
Then top with marinara and mozzarella, and bake until the cheese is melty and golden—this will take around 3 minutes more.
Once your chicken is done and your cheese is melty and delicious, divide among plates, and top with fresh parsley.
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.