Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, offering a quick and convenient way to achieve crispy, golden meals with minimal oil.
However, while they’re great for creating crunch, they also have a tendency to dry out certain foods, especially chicken.
Many home cooks have struggled to keep their air-fried chicken juicy and tender, often ending up with a meal that’s more tough than tasty.
But celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has discovered the perfect solution.
He’s revealed that the secret to moist and flavourful air-fried chicken lies in one simple ingredient.
In his latest advice on air fryer cooking, Jamie explained that while these popular kitchen gadgets are great for quick and efficient meals, they can sometimes leave food feeling a little dry.
However, a simple yoghurt marinade can solve that problem. The acidity and creaminess of the yoghurt help to tenderise the meat while locking in moisture, making the final result both juicy and full of flavour.
“Air fryers have earned a bit of a bad rep for drying things out, but there are plenty of easy ways to counteract this once you know how,” Jamie writes on his website.
“Marinating meat and vegetables, soaking in buttermilk or yoghurt, or introducing moisture into your cooking helps to keep things nice and juicy.”
He also suggests adding hot stock or wine to the bottom of the air fryer drawer to create flavoured steam, which can further enhance the tenderness of the chicken while infusing it with extra depth of taste.
This tip aligns with traditional cooking techniques often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, where yoghurt-based marinades are commonly used to break down proteins and create melt-in-the-mouth textures.
By applying the same principle to air fryer cooking, home chefs can enjoy crispy, golden-brown chicken on the outside while keeping the inside tender and delicious.
With air fryers continuing to grow in popularity, Jamie’s advice could be a game-changer for those looking to perfect their cooking.
Whether making crispy chicken wings, succulent thighs, or a whole roast, a simple yoghurt marinade might be the secret ingredient to achieving the perfect balance of crunch and juiciness.
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