Air Fryer Chicken Times and Temperatures
Every cut cooks differently, and the difference between juicy and dry is often two minutes. Times below assume a single layer with space around the meat.
| Food | Temp | Time | Safe internal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Breast | 380°F | 18–22 min | 165°F |
| Chicken Wings | 400°F | 22–26 min | 165°F |
| Chicken Thighs | 380°F | 22–26 min | 165°F |
| Chicken Tenders | 400°F | 10–12 min | 165°F |
| Chicken Drumsticks | 400°F | 20–24 min | 165°F |
| Turkey Breast | 350°F | 45–60 min | 165°F |
| Whole Chicken | 360°F | 50–60 min | 165°F |
| Chicken Tenderloins | 400°F | 8–10 min | 165°F |
| Chicken Parmesan | 375°F | 12–15 min | 165°F |
The one rule that matters for chicken
Chicken is safe at 165°F (74°C) and there is no visual substitute for measuring it. Colour, clear juices and firmness are all unreliable. An instant-read thermometer is the single thing that most improves air fryer chicken.
Beyond that: white meat and dark meat behave differently. Breast is lean and goes from perfect to dry within about two minutes, so pull it the moment it reads 165°F. Thighs and drumsticks have more fat and connective tissue, and are actually better taken to 175–180°F, where that tissue softens.
Why breast dries out and thighs do not
Uneven thickness is the usual culprit with breast. The thin end finishes long before the thick end, so by the time the centre is safe the tip is overcooked. Pounding the breast to an even thickness fixes this more reliably than any change in time or temperature.
Every chicken page
- Chicken Breast380°F · 18–22 min
- Chicken Wings400°F · 22–26 min
- Chicken Thighs380°F · 22–26 min
- Chicken Tenders400°F · 10–12 min
- Chicken Drumsticks400°F · 20–24 min
- Turkey Breast350°F · 45–60 min
- Whole Chicken360°F · 50–60 min
- Chicken Tenderloins400°F · 8–10 min
- Chicken Parmesan375°F · 12–15 min
Common questions
What temperature do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
Most chicken cooks between 350°F and 400°F. The table above gives the exact setting for each one rather than a single average.
Can you cook chicken from frozen in an air fryer?
Several of these can be cooked straight from frozen — the individual pages give the adjusted time. As a rule, add 30–50% to the time and drop the temperature slightly so the outside does not overcook first.