The secret to incomparably tender chicken in this Air Fryer Chicken with no breading is a deliciously punchy mayonnaise-based marinade. With tangy dijon and a kick of heat, you are going to turn to this recipe again and again.
If your family is anything like mine, chicken is a go-to weeknight main dish that doesn’t take a lot of thought.
Serve it with a favorite dipping sauce, and pretty much everyone is happy.
When the weather is nice, I like to make this Keto Grilled Chicken. But, when it is hot - or when I just don’t feel like having to watch anything - I make this Air Fried Chicken with No Breading.
This is such a versatile recipe. It has enough flavor to stand well on its own. But it is also fabulous to make ahead for salads, low-carb wraps, casseroles, and pizzas.
If you are serving this by itself, don't forget the sauce! I like to serve it with Keto Ranch Dressing, Keto Blue Cheese Dressing, or Keto BBQ Sauce. Of course, the kids love ketchup.
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Ingredient Notes
- Mayonnaise - Use your favorite brand. If you don't want to marinate in mayo, you could use olive oil.
- Lemon Juice (optional) - Fresh is best but bottled works.
- Coconut Aminos - A gluten-free soy sauce alternative that's a bit sweeter and keto friendly. Soy sauce or tamari are easy substitutes if they fit within your dietary goals.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - You could also make air fryer chicken thighs; reduce the cooking time by about 2 minutes.
Variations for This Recipe:
- Use lime in place of the lemon juice and add 2 chopped green onions and a tablespoon of tahini to the marinade.
- Add 2 tablespoons minced rosemary, and 1 teaspoon paprika to the marinade. (I like smoked paprika.)
- Add ¼ cup finely diced onions and 2 tablespoons of dry white wine to the marinade.
Step-by-Step
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Tips & Tricks:
- If you are looking to get an Air Fryer, THIS is the model I recommend. I've had four different air fryers before finally settling on this one. It is the best! If it is beyond your budget, know that you can get an air fryer that will perform well for considerably less.
- If you plan on marinating the meat for more than four hours, I recommend omitting the lemon juice, as it can make the chicken tough if it marinates for too long.
- The recommended internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees, however, I recommend taking it out when it reaches 160 degrees and letting it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. The temperature will continue to increase as it rests.
Juicy Marinated Air Fryer Chicken with No Breading
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice optional
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, coconut aminos, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken in a shallow dish or large zip top plastic bag.
- Add marinade and return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to overnight. (Omit the lemon juice if you are marinating more than 4 hours.)
- Preheat your Air Fryer to 400 degrees.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer.
- Cook for 7 minutes.
- Flip and cook for about 7 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Place chicken on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Shatia says
Made this recipe for dinner yesterday and the whole family really enjoyed it, even the cat LOVED it. Probably one of the best if not the best chicken recipe we’ve ever made! Adding to our dinner rotation! Pairs so well with roasted veggies. Thanks so much for sharing.
Amy Stanford says
This was so delicious! I used chicken tenderloins since that’s what I had, so I cooked it for less time. I will definitely be cooking this again!
Wendy Polisi says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
marcie D richardson says
My husband cannot have anything coconut what else can i use instead of coconut aminos
Wendy Polisi says
You could use gluten free tamari.