How Long to Cook Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer (UK Times by Brand)
- TEMP
- 180-200°C
- TIME
- 10-22 MIN
- CORE
- 75°C
Bone-in (Salter): 25-35 min
75°C for 30 seconds is one of the FSA’s safe core combinations (standard: 70°C for 2 minutes).
Manufacturer charts for boneless chicken breast range from 180 to 200°C for 10 to 22 minutes, depending on the brand and the model. Bone-in breast takes longer: Salter's manual gives 25 to 35 minutes for that cut. The Fryer Guide shows each brand's figure separately below rather than blending them into one average, because a bone-in breast in Salter's chart takes far longer than a boneless one in Ninja's.
Based on 8 manufacturer sources. Figures last checked 27 September 2026. See the full list of manuals and articles used on this site on the about and methodology page.
What each brand's guide says
| Brand | Temp | Time | Shake | Amount | Model | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja | 200°C | 15-16 min | Yes | 4 breasts (600g) | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Ninja | 200°C | 16-22 min | not stated | not given | AF400UK / AF100UK | Ninja Brand chart |
| Tower | 180°C | 15-20 min | not stated | 100-600g | T17082 (4 Litre Manual Air Fryer) | Tower Manual, p.8 |
| Tower | 180°C | 15-20 min | not stated | 100-500g | T17149 (7.2 Litre Digital Air Fryer) | Tower Manual, p.14 |
| Tower | 180°C | 15-20 min | No | 100-500g | T17137 (Vortx 8.5 Litre Digital Dual Basket) | Tower Manual, p.14 |
| Tower | 180°C | 10-15 min | No | not given | T17136 (Vortx 7.6 Litre Dual Basket) | Tower Manual, p.15 |
| Salter | 190°C | 18-22 min | not stated | 2 boneless breasts | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Salter | 190°C | 25-35 min | not stated | 2 bone-in breasts | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Instant | 180°C | 12-14 min | not stated | not given | Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart) | Instant Brand chart |
What each source actually says
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Chicken breasts 4 (600g) 200°C 15-16 mins source
- Ninja (AF400UK / AF100UK): Chart row: Chicken Breast 200°C oven 20-25 min vs Ninja Air Fryer 200°C 16-22 min source
- Tower (T17082 (4 Litre Manual Air Fryer)): Chart row, page 8: Chicken breast 180 15-20 100-600 source
- Tower (T17149 (7.2 Litre Digital Air Fryer)): Chart row, page 14: Chicken breast 180 15-20 100-500 source
- Tower (T17137 (Vortx 8.5 Litre Digital Dual Basket)): Chart row, page 14: Chicken breast 180 15-20 100-500 No source
- Tower (T17136 (Vortx 7.6 Litre Dual Basket)): Chart row, page 15: Chicken breast 180 10-15 source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: Chicken breasts (boneless) 2 boneless breasts, brush with oil, 190°C, 18-22 mins source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: Chicken breasts (bone-in) 2 bone-in breasts, brush with oil, 190°C, 25-35 mins source
- Instant (Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart)): Chart row: Boneless Breasts 180°C 12-14 mins Air Fry source
Fresh vs frozen
None of the manuals used on this page give a frozen chicken breast time; all figures above are for fresh, thawed chicken breast. Cook frozen breast from thawed, or check it with a food probe rather than by time.
Size and thickness adjustments
Salter's manual gives two separate times for chicken breast: 18 to 22 minutes for two boneless breasts, and 25 to 35 minutes for two bone-in breasts, both brushed with oil. Ninja's chart is based on four breasts totalling 600g. If your breasts are heavier than that, expect the top end of the range or beyond.
Browning and doneness
Chicken breast is poultry, and the FSA says poultry needs to be cooked all the way through because bacteria can be present throughout the meat, not just on the surface. The FSA's core temperature standard is 70°C for 2 minutes, with 75°C for 30 seconds as an equivalent combination; this site uses 75°C on the readout panel as a quick single-figure check.
Where brands disagree
Salter's chart gives a much longer time for bone-in chicken breast (25 to 35 minutes) than any other manual's boneless figure, because a bone-in cut takes longer to reach a safe core temperature. Tower's own manuals for different models suggest different ranges for a similar weight bracket: 15 to 20 minutes on three models against 10 to 15 minutes on a fourth.
From the oven instead?
If you have an oven time and temperature and want the air fryer equivalent, use the oven to air fryer converter.
Frequently asked questions
- What temperature should I use for chicken breast in an air fryer?
- Manuals range from 180°C (Tower, Instant) up to 200°C (Ninja), so start at 180 to 190°C and use the top of the time range if you're using a lower temperature.
- How long does chicken breast take in an air fryer?
- Boneless chicken breast takes 10 to 22 minutes depending on the brand and weight, according to the manuals above. Bone-in breast takes longer: Salter's manual gives 25 to 35 minutes for that cut.
- Can I cook chicken breast from frozen?
- None of the manuals used on this page cover frozen chicken breast; cook from fresh or fully thawed, and check with a food probe.
- How do I know chicken breast has reached a safe temperature?
- Check the thickest part with a food probe. The FSA's main standard is 70°C for 2 minutes; 75°C for 30 seconds is one of the combinations it lists as equivalent, which is why this site shows 75°C on the readout panel.
Also see: Chicken thighs