Air fryer is a product that many families have, but in the market, has different brands, types, and features, they all say they are the best, but what is the real situation? Our team purchased air fryers from various e-commerce platforms and officials. Then we test them in our labs and in real life use at home, we evaluate them in terms of actual performance, ease of use, energy efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Our Top Picks for the Best Air Fryers for Chicken in 2025
After extensive research and testing, we’ve rounded up the six best air fryers that excel at cooking chicken, whether you’re craving crispy wings, juicy thighs, or perfectly roasted whole birds. These models stand out for their performance, ease of use, and versatility, ensuring you get restaurant-quality results at home. Each recommendation includes key features, pros, cons, and real user reviews from trusted platforms to help you make an informed choice.
AF101 Air Fryer
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a compact yet powerful option, ideal for small households or those new to air frying. With a 4-quart capacity, it’s perfect for cooking chicken wings or drumsticks for two to four people. Its 1500-watt motor and wide temperature range (105°F–400°F) ensure crispy exteriors and tender interiors. The fryer offers four cooking modes: air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate, making it versatile for various chicken recipes. The nonstick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe, simplifying cleanup.
Pros: Easy to use, compact design, excellent crisping performance.
Cons: Limited capacity for larger families, no preset for chicken specifically.
User Review: “This air fryer is amazing. Made chicken wings for the first time, and they came out crispy and delicious in less than 20 minutes. Clean up was a breeze.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Ninja AF101 on Amazon
Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo
The Cosori Pro II is a favorite for its capacity and 12 customizable presets, including one specifically for chicken. Its square basket maximizes space, fitting up to six chicken thighs or a small whole chicken. The 1700-watt fryer heats quickly, and its Shake Reminder feature ensures even cooking for wings or nuggets. The Cosori app provides access to over 100 recipes, many tailored for chicken dishes. Its sleek design and LED touchscreen add a modern touch to any kitchen.
Pros: Large capacity, user-friendly presets, app integration.
Cons: Slightly noisy fan, takes up counter space.
User Review: “I’ve made chicken breasts, wings, and even a whole chicken in this air fryer, and everything comes out perfect. The presets make it so easy!” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Cosori Pro II on Amazon
Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus is a 6-quart air fryer that excels at delivering evenly cooked chicken with a golden, crispy finish. Its ClearCook window and internal light let you monitor progress without opening the basket, preserving heat. With six cooking modes (air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate), it handles everything from chicken tenders to rotisserie-style whole chickens. The OdorErase filter reduces cooking smells, a bonus for small kitchens.
Pros: ClearCook window, odor reduction, versatile cooking modes.
Cons: Bulky design, learning curve for beginners.
User Review: “The window is a game-changer! I made chicken thighs, and they were juicy inside with a perfect crunch outside. Love this fryer.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Instant Vortex Plus on Amazon
Premium Airfryer XXL
For larger families, the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL is a top choice with its 7-quart capacity, capable of cooking a 3-pound whole chicken or 10 chicken wings at once. Its Fat Removal Technology captures excess fat, resulting in healthier, crispier chicken. The fryer heats up instantly, with no preheating required, and includes five presets for easy operation. Its premium build and Keep Warm function make it a standout for busy households.
Pros: Large capacity, fat reduction feature, no preheating needed.
Cons: Expensive, takes up significant counter space.
User Review: “This air fryer is worth every penny. I cooked a whole chicken, and it was juicy and crispy, better than my oven!” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL on Amazon
AFR-25 Air Fryer
The Cuisinart AFR-25 combines air frying with toasting and baking capabilities, offering a interior that fits a 12-inch pizza or six chicken thighs. Its stainless steel design is durable and stylish, and the adjustable thermostat (up to 450°F) ensures precise cooking for crispy chicken skin. The 60-minute timer and auto-shutoff add convenience, though it lacks digital controls for those who prefer simplicity.
Pros: Multifunctional, high temperature range, durable build.
Cons: No digital display, smaller capacity than some competitors.
User Review: “I use this for chicken wings all the time, and they come out perfect. It’s like having a mini oven that’s faster and easier to clean.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Cuisinart AFR-25 on Amazon
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a premium countertop oven with air frying capabilities, boasting a 1-cubic-foot interior that can handle a 5-pound whole chicken or multiple trays of wings. Its 13 cooking functions, including air fry, roast, and slow cook, make it a versatile kitchen workhorse. The Element iQ system ensures even heat distribution, delivering consistent results for chicken dishes. Its LCD display and smart features elevate the cooking experience.
Pros: Large capacity, multifunctionality, precise temperature control.
Cons: High price point, large footprint.
User Review: “This is the best appliance I’ve ever owned. Chicken comes out perfectly cooked every time, and I love the slow cook option for tougher cuts.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
How We Reviewed These Air Fryers
Our team of 8 people, tested 26 air fryers, after 3 weeks of real life use, cooking chicken wings, French fries and vegetables separately for air fryers, analyzing the taste, color of their production. At the same time, we also evaluated its performance, ease of use of the interface, size, capacity, energy consumption compared to the overall cost-effective evaluation. In addition to our own evaluations, we also compare the data reported by other authoritative media. So you can be assured of approval, these are all through our audit.
You can also quickly get the ideal air fryer for you with the tool we built below:
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Air Fryer for Chicken
Selecting the right air fryer for cooking chicken depends on your needs, kitchen space, and cooking habits. Below, we break down the key factors to consider to ensure you pick a model that delivers crispy, juicy chicken every time.
Capacity
The size of the air fryer determines how much chicken you can cook at once. For singles or couples, a 2- to 4-quart fryer, like the Ninja AF101, is sufficient for small batches of wings or tenders. Families or those hosting gatherings should opt for larger models, such as the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (7 quarts) or Breville Smart Oven (1 cubic foot), which can handle whole chickens or multiple servings. Consider your typical portion sizes and kitchen counter space when choosing.
Cooking Performance
Look for air fryers with powerful wattage (1500–1800 watts) and a wide temperature range (up to 400°F or higher) for crispy chicken skin. Models with rapid air circulation technology, like the Cosori Pro II or Philips XXL, ensure even cooking. Features like presets for chicken or a Shake Reminder can simplify the process, especially for beginners. For advanced users, multifunction air fryers like the Breville Smart Oven offer additional cooking modes for roasting or baking chicken dishes.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
User-friendly controls, such as digital touchscreens or presets, make cooking chicken effortless. The Instant Vortex Plus’s ClearCook window is a great example of a feature that enhances usability by letting you check progress without interrupting cooking. Nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe parts, found in models like the Ninja AF101 and Cosori Pro II, make cleanup quick and hassle-free.
Additional Features
Some air fryers offer extras that elevate chicken cooking. The Philips XXL’s Fat Removal Technology reduces grease for healthier results, while the Breville’s slow cook function is ideal for tenderizing tougher cuts. App integration, as seen in the Cosori Pro II, provides recipe inspiration. Consider which features align with your cooking style and whether they justify the price.
Budget
Air fryers range from $50 to over $ options like the Ninja AF101 deliver excellent performance for basic chicken recipes, while premium models like the Breville Smart Oven offer versatility for serious home cooks. Balance your budget with the features you need, keeping in mind that higher-priced models often include larger capacities or advanced functions.
Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer
To get the best results, follow these tips based on expert advice from sources like Serious Eats:
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange chicken in a single layer with space for air circulation to ensure even crisping.
- Use Oil Sparingly: A light coating of oil enhances crispiness without adding excess calories.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safety, as recommended by the USDA.
- Flip Halfway: Turn chicken pieces midway through cooking for uniform texture, especially for wings or thighs.
Health Benefits of Air Frying Chicken
Air frying uses up to 80% less oil than traditional frying, reducing fat and calorie content while maintaining flavor. A study from the National Institutes of Health highlights that air-fried foods retain more nutrients compared to deep-fried alternatives, making it a healthier way to enjoy crispy chicken.
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Final Summary
Our expert team, after 3 weeks of real use, and then according to the performance, intelligence, practicality, quality, price of the air fryer to go through a detailed analysis, for the above we recommend the dishwasher, you can rest assured that you can choose. If you have any questions, you can leave us a message in the comments section.
At the same time, we also provide a quick selection of dishwasher tool, you can use our tool, choose more in line with your product.