How to Make Perfectly Shredded Chicken in an Air Fryer

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. Their ability to make crispy foods like french fries and chicken wings without all the added oil of traditional frying makes them very appealing But air fryers can do so much more than just recreate fried foods – they are actually great for cooking moist, tender meats like chicken breasts too

One of the best ways to cook chicken in an air fryer is to make shredded chicken. The air fryer’s rapid high-heat airflow will cook the chicken perfectly, so it’s moist and tender on the inside with a lightly crisped exterior. When cooked right the chicken shreds beautifully into strands or chunks, perfect for tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more.

Making shredded chicken in the air fryer has many benefits:

• It’s faster than oven baking. The air fryer’s super hot air rapidly cooks the chicken in a fraction of the time.

• You get an evenly cooked product. The circulating high heat of an air fryer means there are no cold spots.

• It yields tender, juicy meat. The chicken comes out moist but not dried out or rubbery.

• The touch of crispiness adds texture. The air fryer gives a subtle crunch to parts of the exterior.

• Hands-off cooking. Just set the air fryer timer and let it work its magic.

• Versatility. Shredded chicken works in so many recipes.

Follow this simple guide for how to make perfect shredded chicken in an air fryer every time.

Ingredients Needed

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt and pepper
• Spices of your choice (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Dry meat promotes browning.

• Trim any excess fat or skin off the chicken.

• Lightly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, if desired. This promotes even cooking.

• Drizzle both sides of the chicken lightly with oil. This helps it get lightly crispy.

• Season the chicken pieces on both sides with salt, pepper, and any other spices you want.

2. Preheat Air Fryer

• Preheating is a must for even cooking results.

• Set air fryer temperature to 390°F. Allow to fully preheat for 5 minutes.

3. Cook the Chicken

• Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd.

• Cook for 12-14 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.

• Flip chicken halfway during cooking time for even browning.

4. Check Internal Temperature

• Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

• Use a meat thermometer to check temperature in thickest part.

• If under 165°F, continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature.

5. Let Chicken Rest

• Remove chicken from air fryer and place on a cutting board or plate.

• Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.

• Resting lets juices redistribute so chicken stays juicy.

6. Shred the Chicken

• Using two forks, shred the chicken by pulling it apart into strands.

• The chicken should shred very easily if cooked to correct doneness.

• For even finer shreds, pulse in a food processor.

And that’s it – you now have perfectly cooked, tender and juicy shredded chicken made right in your air fryer. It’s ready to use in any recipe that calls for cooked shredded chicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Tips for the Best Results

• Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between pieces.

• Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra moistness.

• Brining chicken in saltwater boosts juiciness even more.

• Take chicken straight from fridge to air fryer for optimal juiciness.

• Try a dry rub instead of oil to coat chicken.

• Use a meat mallet to pound chicken to even thickness.

• Let chicken rest before and after cooking for juicy meat.

• For extra crunch, broil shredded chicken briefly after air frying.

Flavor Variations

One of the best things about shredded chicken is all the flavor possibilities. Change up the taste by using different seasonings:

• BBQ chicken – Smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, brown sugar

• Italian chicken – Oregano, basil, rosemary, red pepper flakes

• Greek chicken – Lemon, oregano, garlic, dill

• Mexican chicken – Cumin, chili powder, garlic, oregano

• Jerk chicken – Jerk seasoning, allspice, thyme

• Tandoori chicken – Tandoori seasoning, garam masala, cumin, garlic

• Lemon pepper chicken – Lemon juice, lemon zest, cracked pepper

• Cajun chicken – Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme

The options are endless for creating globally inspired shredded chicken right in your air fryer using different spice blends.

Recipes to Use Shredded Chicken In

Shredded chicken is a versatile ingredient to batch cook and use all week long in recipes like:

• Chicken tacos – Stuff in tortillas or taco shells

• BBQ chicken pizza – Top pizzas with chicken & BBQ sauce

• Chicken salad sandwiches – Chicken, mayo, celery, seasonings

• Chicken enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with chicken and enchilada sauce

• Chicken noodle soup – Simmer chicken in broth with veggies & noodles

• Chicken pot pie – Mix chicken with veggies, gravy and baked in pie crust

• Chicken fried rice – Stir chicken into fried rice with eggs, peas, and carrots

• Chicken wraps – Chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing

• Chicken parm – Breaded chicken baked with marinara and cheese

With a batch of shredded chicken in your fridge or freezer, you’ll always be ready to make fast, delicious meals. Get perfect shredded chicken results every time using this foolproof air fryer method.