Are you tired of greasy fried chicken but still craving that perfect crispy skin? Let me tell you, my Breville Smart Oven Air has completely changed my chicken game! I’ve been experimenting with air frying chicken for months now, and I’m excited to share exactly how to achieve that delicious crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender – all with way less oil than traditional frying methods.
Why Air Frying Chicken in the Breville Smart Oven Is a Game-Changer
Before we dive into the recipe, let me just say that the Breville Smart Oven Air is seriously one of those life-changing kitchen appliances that’s worth every penny. I’ve been using mine for over a year now, and it’s pretty much replaced my regular oven for most cooking tasks.
What makes it so great for chicken specifically? The air fry function circulates super-heated air around the food, creating that crispy exterior without drowning your chicken in oil. The result is healthier chicken that still satisfies your crispy cravings!
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make amazing air fried chicken in your Breville Smart Oven:
- Chicken pieces (I recommend drumsticks or thighs with skin on)
- Oil (grapeseed or olive oil work great)
- Salt and fresh black pepper
- Sweet paprika (or your favorite chicken seasoning)
- Air fry basket (comes with the Breville Smart Oven Air)
- Meat thermometer (optional but helpful)
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Chicken
1. Prep Your Chicken
First things first you want to make sure your chicken is ready for air frying
- Take the chicken out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before cooking to bring it closer to room temperature
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels (this helps the skin crisp up better)
- If you’re using a whole chicken, cut it into pieces for more even cooking
2. Preheat Your Breville Smart Oven
This step is super important! Don’t skip it,
- Select the Air Fry function on your Breville Smart Oven Air
- Set the temperature to 375°F
- Allow the oven to preheat completely
3. Season Your Chicken
While the oven preheats it’s time to season your chicken
- Place your chicken pieces on the air fry basket (I usually put the basket on a sheet pan first to catch any excess seasoning)
- Lightly brush all sides of the chicken with oil
- Season generously with salt and fresh black pepper
- Sprinkle with sweet paprika or your favorite chicken seasoning
The oil might seem counterintuitive when air frying, but that small amount helps the skin get extra crispy and golden. Trust me on this one!
4. Air Fry Your Chicken
Now for the main event:
- Place the air fry basket with your seasoned chicken into the preheated oven
- Cook for approximately 30 minutes (cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces)
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for even browning
- Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for white meat or 175-180°F for dark meat
5. Final Crisping (Optional but Recommended)
For that extra-crispy skin that will make your mouth water:
- After the chicken reaches the proper internal temperature, switch your oven to the broil function
- Broil for about 2-3 minutes to get that skin extra crispy
- Watch carefully to prevent burning!
6. Rest and Serve
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes
- This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat
- Serve and enjoy your delicious, crispy air fried chicken!
My Foolproof Air Fryer Chicken Recipe
Here’s my go-to recipe that never fails to impress:
Easy Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients:
- 9 chicken drumsticks (about 1 pound)
- 1-2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or oil of your choice)
- Salt and fresh black pepper to taste
- 1-2 teaspoons sweet paprika
Instructions:
- Preheat your Breville Smart Oven Air to 375°F using the Air Fry function
- Place chicken drumsticks on the air fry basket
- Brush all sides with oil
- Season generously with salt and pepper
- Sprinkle with sweet paprika
- Cook for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Check that internal temperature reaches 180°F for drumsticks
- Broil for 3 minutes for extra crispiness
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving
Tips for Keeping Your Breville Smart Oven Clean
Let’s be honest – air frying chicken can get a bit messy. Here are some tips I’ve learned to keep cleanup manageable:
- Line the crumb tray with an oven-safe liner to catch chicken drippings (I use a liner from Cookina)
- Alternatively, place a roasting tray on the lowest rack to catch drippings
- When seasoning chicken, place the air fry basket on a sheet pan to catch excess seasoning
- After cooking, soak the air fry basket in a sheet pan with soapy water, then clean any residue with a brush with strong bristles
Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic air fried chicken technique, try these variations:
- Lemon Herb: Add lemon zest, thyme, and rosemary to your seasoning
- Spicy: Mix in cayenne pepper or hot paprika for a kick
- BBQ Style: Brush with a thin layer of BBQ sauce in the last 5 minutes of cooking
- Asian Inspired: Season with garlic powder, ginger powder, and a touch of five spice
Why Choose Air Frying Over Other Methods?
I’ve tried so many ways to cook chicken over the years, and air frying in my Breville Smart Oven has quickly become my favorite for several reasons:
- Healthier: Uses significantly less oil than deep frying or even pan frying
- Crispier Skin: The circulating hot air creates amazingly crispy skin
- Juicier Meat: Seals in moisture while crisping the exterior
- Faster: Cooks quicker than a conventional oven
- Less Cleanup: No oil splatter all over your stovetop
- Energy Efficient: Heats up faster and uses less energy than a full-sized oven
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even the best cooks encounter problems sometimes! Here are solutions to common air fryer chicken issues:
Problem: Chicken skin isn’t crispy enough
Solution: Make sure to pat the chicken dry before cooking, brush with a little oil, and don’t overcrowd the basket
Problem: Chicken is dry
Solution: You might be cooking it too long. Try reducing the cooking time or temperature slightly
Problem: Uneven browning
Solution: Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through cooking and rotate the basket if needed
Final Thoughts
Air frying chicken in the Breville Smart Oven Air has become one of my favorite weeknight meals. It’s quick, easy, healthier than traditional frying, and the results are absolutely delicious. The crispy skin and juicy meat will have your family begging for seconds!
I’ve experimented with dozens of different seasonings and chicken parts, and the technique remains pretty consistent. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how versatile air fried chicken can be.
So go ahead and give it a try! Pull out that Breville Smart Oven Air that might be collecting dust on your counter, and transform the way you cook chicken. I promise your taste buds (and waistline) will thank you.
And hey, if you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Drop a comment below with your results or any variations you tried. Happy air frying!
FAQ About Air Frying Chicken in the Breville Smart Oven
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: While possible, I don’t recommend it. Thawed chicken cooks more evenly and gets crispier. If you must use frozen, add about 50% more cooking time and check doneness with a thermometer.
Q: Do I need to spray the air fry basket?
A: I find that brushing the chicken with oil is sufficient, but you can lightly spray the basket if you’re concerned about sticking.
Q: Can I air fry chicken without skin?
A: Yes, but it won’t get as crispy and might dry out more easily. Consider brushing with a bit more oil and reducing the cooking time slightly.
Q: What other seasonings work well?
A: Almost any seasoning blend works great! Try Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic herb, or even a simple salt and pepper.
Q: How long does it take to preheat the Breville Smart Oven Air?
A: It typically takes about 5-7 minutes to reach 375°F with the air fry function.
Try this air frying method and transform your chicken dinners forever! It’s seriously been a game-changer in my kitchen, and I bet it will be in yours too.
Keep an Eye on Cooking Time
Monitoring the cooking process and checking for doneness using a meat thermometer or visually assessing the food’s color and texture is crucial.
Understanding the Breville Smart Oven
The Breville Smart Oven is unlike any regular oven you’ve seen. It’s a special kitchen appliance that can make cooking easier and better. If you want an oven that can do many things and is easy to use, then the Breville Smart Oven is perfect.
This smart oven has special features that make it different from other ovens. It can do many cooking methods like baking, broiling, toasting, and roasting. This means you can cook all kinds of delicious food using this oven.
One really cool thing about the Breville Smart Oven is that it can also air fry. Air frying makes food crispy and golden, like when it is in oil. But with the Breville Smart Oven, you use less oil, which is healthier. So you may eat your favorite fried dishes guilt-free.
The Breville Smart Oven is also very good at cooking food evenly. It has a special technology ensures the heat is evenly spread, so your food comes out perfectly cooked every time. You don’t have to worry about burning or undercooking your meals anymore. The Breville Smart Oven takes care of it for you.