I cooked the chicken legs in the air fryer: crispy and golden outside and soft and juicy inside, just like fried but without oil.
Light, skinless.
And you bring to the table a tasty main course perfect for the whole family without complicating your life.
If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer, you can bake them in the oven.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 2Servings
- Cooking methods: Air fryer, Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Buying yellow chicken.
Choose chicken legs of medium–small size and ask the butcher to separate them into thighs and drumsticks and to remove the skin: chicken skin is very fatty so it is appropriate to remove it before cooking.
- 2 chicken legs (yellow, skinless, separated into thighs and drumsticks)
- to taste lemon juice (or white wine)
- 1 pinch meat seasoning (salt- and aromatic herb-based)
Suggested tools
- Air fryer
If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer, you can bake them in the oven.
Preparation
When handling raw chicken it’s important to follow some simple food safety rules that help avoid contamination and cook safely.
Washing raw chicken does not remove bacteria.
Complete cooking is the only effective method to eliminate any bacteria present in the meat.
To learn more read the article by clicking the following link: why not wash raw chicken | the 4 rules to cook it safely.Drizzle thighs and drumsticks with lemon juice [or orange juice] – or alternatively with white wine.
Season with a meat seasoning made from salt and aromatic herbs.Follow the instructions – program, temperature and times – indicated in your appliance’s user manual.
Check the degree of cooking from time to time.Procedure with my Ariete air fryer – Friggi Sano [Eurospin]:
– set the temperature to 392°F;
– preheat for 5 minutes;
– remove the cooking basket and place thighs and drumsticks on the grill accessory without overlapping them;
– cook for 25 minutes;
– remove the cooking basket and check that the chicken is cooked inside;
– turn the pieces of chicken;
continue cooking for 5 minutes so that they are evenly crispy and golden.Plate up.
Season with lemon juice.Your chicken legs in the air fryer are ready.
Enjoy your meal!
It’s a main course easy to balance with a source of carbohydrates [preferably whole grain bread, pasta or rice] and vegetables to compose a balanced meal or one-dish plate that helps keep blood sugar stable.
Line a baking tray with a sheet of parchment paper.
Place thighs and drumsticks on it.
Preheat the oven.Chicken legs of medium-small size
Bake in a fan oven at 356°F for 40 minutes and continue at 320°F for 20 minutes.Chicken legs of larger size
Bake in a fan oven at 392°F for 40 minutes and continue at 356°F for 20 minutes.* times may vary depending on the size of the chicken legs [dimensions and weight].
You can accompany your chicken with homemade light sauces:
– Sugar-free ketchup;
– Paprika sauce without sugar;
– Light pink sauce or light cocktail sauce;
– Greek yogurt sauce or dressing.
Storage, tips and variations
Storage
Cooked chicken can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
You can reheat it in the air fryer or in the oven to restore the right texture.
Tips and variations
You can marinate the chicken legs with lemon juice [or orange juice] or white wine and a meat seasoning made from salt and aromatic herbs for one hour before cooking.
For a more aromatic version add garlic powder, turmeric or smoked paprika.
Food safety rules for chicken fully apply to turkey as well, since both are white poultry meats at high risk of bacterial contamination.
FAQ – Questions and Answers
How to tell if the chicken is well cooked?
To check doneness, cut the chicken at the thickest part: the meat should be white, with no pink traces, and the juices clear.
If in doubt, prolong the cooking by a few minutes.
If you use a kitchen thermometer: the chicken is cooked when it reaches about 167°F at the core.Which part of the chicken is lighter?
Skinless breast: it has less fat.
Can I use chicken breast instead of legs?
Yes, but reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid drying it out.
