You love your air fryer, but sometimes you get caught up on what to use it for besides frozen snacks and store-bought meals. We’re here to tell you that you can make so many quick and delicious family dinners, and you should start with air fryer chicken recipes. From Tandoori chicken to chicken parmesan and some of the best wings you’ll ever eat, these easy dinner recipes take your air fryer prowess to the next level.
Looking for more quick weeknight meal ideas? Check out some of our other favorite air fryer recipes, one-pot meals, sheet pan dinner ideas, and 30-minute recipes that the whole family will love, plus surprising things you didn’t know you could make in an air fryer.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
If you need one good chicken recipe for an air fryer—we recommend this one from Pinch of Yum. Thin slices of chicken breast tossed in an array of spices with a pinch of sugar, it’s ready in 10 minutes and has 82 five-star reviews!
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken usually takes more time than busy parents have on weeknights, but this air fryer version from the Ministry of Curry cuts the cooking time down. The trick is to marinate your drumsticks overnight to be ready to go the next day. And, if your kids aren’t into spice, the recipe offers mellow alternatives to tone down the heat.
Bone-In Chicken Thighs
This air fryer chicken recipe from Erin Clarke of Well Plated doesn’t require advance prep and only takes 20 minutes to get that crispy skin. Using seasoning you probably already have in your pantry means you can pull off this easy weeknight dinner just about anytime. Get the recipe from Well Plated.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
The secret’s in the deliciously sweet sauce when you whip up this easy weeknight dinner from Air Fryer Fanatics. It takes just over 30 minutes from start to finish, and you can make the rice and veggies to accompany the main meal while it’s in the air fryer.
Fried Chicken
Fried chicken that’s not fried but tastes like it is? We like the sound of that. This recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog requires about 20 minutes of prep time (to make the batter and coat the chicken), but the results are worth it!
Teriyaki Chicken
Air frying gives teriyaki sauce that yummy glaze you hope to obtain when making this popular dish. You can marinate the chicken for 30 minutes, but it isn’t necessary, especially when you’re short on time. If you decide to marinate your chicken thighs, set some marinade (that you didn’t use for the chicken) aside or use the store-bought sauce to toss with the thighs once they’re done. Get this recipe from Bites with Bri.
Related: 16 Simple Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Recipes
Chicken Parmesan
This classic comfort food dish gets an overhaul perfect for weeknights. While it only takes 12 minutes to cook your chicken, the trick is to flatten the breasts so they cook evenly and are juicy. Don’t forget to add your marinara and mozzarella cheese in the last few minutes! Get the recipe from I Wash You Dry.
Crispy Chicken Tenders
If you can perfect an air fryer chicken tender recipe, you’ll have something that can be made quickly and will please even the pickiest of eaters. This version of a classic kids’ favorite from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog includes buttermilk, but she provides a substitute if you don’t have any on hand. Don’t forget the best part—the dipping sauces!
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
We had to include a chicken wing recipe, and this one from Feel Good Foodie is one of the best. There’s no breading involved, and only 30 minutes of marinating is required, so these can easily be whipped up on a weeknight or before a big game.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Parmesan garlic anything is music to our ears. These skewers are loaded with flavor and only take 35 minutes to make. Click above to get the recipe from Chef Marcelo Mintz.
Related: 18 Chicken Breast Recipes That Are Super Easy to Make
Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
That leftover rotisserie chicken mentioned above? Here’s the perfect way to use it—making chicken and cheese quesadillas! This recipe takes 12 minutes from start to finish and tastes just as good as making them in a pan. Get more details from Bitz & Giggles.
Pickle-Brined Chicken Sandwich
A crispy chicken sandwich just hits differently. This version from Valerie’s Kitchen is first brined in buttermilk and pickle juice before being coated in a seasoned breading that crisps perfectly in an air fryer. The prep and marinating time is about two hours, and the cooking time is 25 minutes, so this air fryer chicken recipe is probably a good one to use on a weekend!
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
A roast chicken is an ideal family dinner recipe. It’s always a crowd pleasure, plus you have leftovers to use for other quick meals when you don’t have time to cook. This recipe from Spend with Pennies cuts the cooking time by about 30 minutes and only requires three ingredients.
