Air fryer hunter’s chicken
Air Fryer Hunter’s Chicken is a delicious combination of smoky bacon, tangy barbecue sauce and melted cheese that makes a quick and tasty dish for dinner. An air fryer helps take this supercomfort food to the next level without much effort.
The crispy bacon and the cheesy topping are a delicious contrast to the moist chicken and it’s a meal none of you will forget anytime soon. You can also serve it with potato wedges and seasonal vegetables for a complete meal.
This recipe is straightforward but extravagant at the same time, it’s an easy way to have a filling, satisfying dinner with little time in the kitchen.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Hunter’s Chicken
Tender, boneless chicken breasts serve as the blank slate for this dish, a lean, juicy protein that’s perfect for sopping up the bold, pungent flavors. Smoked streaky bacon enwraps the chicken, bringing with it a savoury crunch that transforms the whole dish.
The bacon-wrapped chicken is brushed with a heavy barbecue sauce for a smoky, tangy sweetness. Shredded cheddar cheese, which melts beautifully on top and gives that creamy, tasty end, holding everything together.
What is Hunter’s Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Air fryer hunters chicken is a tasty, modern twist on the traditional comfort food classic, of succulent chicken, smoky bacon, tangy barbecue sauce and melted cheese. The air fryer ensures that the dish is super quick and easy, but with all of the delicious, tongue-tempting flavors you’d find if you cooked it by normal means.
Whether you’ve been home cooking for years, or are just in need of a new easy, delicious weeknight dinner, this recipe provides the ideal amount of effort and indulgence. It is delicious alongside some winter greens or other seasonal vegetables and some crispy roast potato wedges for a good meal.
Recipe Tips
Get the Right Chicken Breasts
For best results, use naturally chicken breasts of the same thickness. If you’re using large breasts, just halve them lengthways so they cook evenly. This is a trick that is heaven sent, as you get a moist tender middle without overcooking the edges.
Crispy Bacon Wrap
If you are wrapping your chicken in bacon, wrap the rashers slightly overlapped so the chicken is evenly covered. If you’d like your bacon a bit more crispy, you can increase the cook time of the bacon wrapped chicken a couple of minutes, but you don’t want it to over cook the chicken.
Cheese Variations
Although cheddar is the most traditional option, you can play around and add or replace with other cheeses, such as mozzarella or Gouda for a twist. Just make sure the cheese melts nice and good to a creamy finish that pairs well with the savory bacon and tangy bbq sauce!
Air Fryer Hunter’s Chicken Recipe Serving Suggestions
Seasonal Vegetables
Hunter’s chicken is delicious served with fresh, roast vegetables, lightly cooked starchy vegetables such as carrots, green beans or Brussels sprouts are perfect to serve on the side. Their sweet, crispiness cuts through the savory richness of the bacon and cheese, providing a welcome counterpoint.
Crispy Potato Wedges
Golden brown, crunchy wedges of potatoes are the classic side dish for this dish. The party clutch is in the edges of this crispy yet tender creation that can stand up and hold its own with the smoky, cheesy chicken. Sprinkle a bit of garlic powder, paprika or a little salt on the wedges to give them some extra flavor.
Garlic Bread
For an even more decadent meal, you can serve the hunter’s chicken with hot garlic bread. And that garlicky, buttery crunch just works perfectly with the savoury succulence of the chicken – so comforting and satisfying.
FAQ
Is Air Fryer Hunter’s Chicken possible from frozen chicken?
I recommend using thawed chicken breasts in this recipe to make sure they cook through evenly. If the chicken is frozen, make sure it is thawed completely to avoid uneven cooking.
Can I replace the bacon with another type of meat?
Yes, you can replace bacon with prosciutto or pancetta for a bit of a different flavor profile. Still, these options will offer the same salty, umami element, although with a milder flavor than bacon.
Can I substitute other cheeses for the cheese in the recipe?
Absolutely! Cheddar is traditional, but you might want to use mozzarella for bubbling stringiness or Gruyère for nuttiness. Just be sure the cheese melts nicely enough for a desirable gloss.
Can I make this in advance?
Sure! You can certainly make the chicken, wrap in bacon, and store in the refrigerator before you’re ready to cook. Just make sure to top with the barbecue sauce and cheese right before air frying if you want to keep the crust fresh.
Air fryer hunter’s chicken
Ingredients
- 2 small skinless chicken breasts or 1 thick cut in half lengthways chicken breast
- 4-6 slices smoked streaky bacon
- 3 tbsp thick barbecue sauce
- 40 g grated cheddar cheese
- Again, ketchup is optional Seasonal vegetables Potato wedges
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 190°C. Wrap the chicken breast with the bacon rashers across the width. If your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, I’d recommend cooking them first for 10 minutes in the air fryer before wrapping with bacon. Cook the bacon-wrapped chicken for another 15 minutes.
- When the chicken is almost done, slather the top of it with barbecue sauce and spread the cheddar on top. (You may not use all the cheese.) Return chicken to the air fryer and cook an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Serve prepared chicken with french fries and/or ketchup if you’d like just a hint more flavor.
