Hunter's Chicken in the Air Fryer
Hunter's chicken is a pub classic that usually takes an oven, a baking tray and a lot of washing up. Cooked in the air fryer, the bacon crisps at the edges, the barbecue sauce turns sticky and the cheddar melts on top in about 18 minutes. This hunters chicken air fryer method works with fresh breasts and with a frozen shop-bought pack.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 31min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 365kcal
Why the air fryer works for hunter's chicken
Hunter's chicken is a simple idea that is easy to get wrong: a chicken breast wrapped in bacon, finished with barbecue sauce and cheese. In the oven the bacon often stays soft while the chicken dries out. Using a hunters chicken air fryer method fixes both problems, because the fast-moving hot air crisps the bacon from every side while the chicken cooks through in under 20 minutes.
It also means you do not need to heat a full-size oven for one or two portions. The sauce and cheese go on at the end, so they have just enough time to turn sticky and melt without catching. The only thing to watch is the thickness of the chicken: flatten it to an even 2.5 cm and everything finishes together.
How to make hunter's chicken in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the chicken If the breasts are thick, slice them horizontally almost all the way through and open them out like a book, or bash them to an even 2.5 cm. Season with the paprika, garlic granules, salt and pepper.
- Wrap in bacon Lay two rashers of streaky bacon across each breast, overlapping slightly, and tuck the ends underneath. Brush the top lightly with the oil.
- Cook Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C for . Place the chicken seam-side down in a single layer and cook for , turning over after . In a small basket, cook two breasts at a time.
- Add the topping Brush each breast with 1 tbsp barbecue sauce and scatter over the cheddar. Cook for more, until the cheese has melted and bubbles at the edges.
- Check and rest The Food Standards Agency says chicken is safe once it has reached 75 °C for 30 seconds and the juices run clear. Check the thickest part with a thermometer, then rest for and scatter over the spring onions.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Hunter's Chicken | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh bacon-wrapped breastsTurn halfway, sauce for the last 4 min | 190 °C | 18 min |
| Frozen shop-bought hunter's chickenFollow the pack if it differs | 180 °C | 18–22 min |
| Small breasts (120 g) | 190 °C | 14–15 min |
| Chicken thighs, bonelessWrap in one rasher each | 190 °C | 16–18 min |
| Hunter's chicken with potatoesPotatoes first, then chicken | 200 °C | 12 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry. Seasoning and bacon cling better to a dry surface, and the outside browns instead of steaming.
- Use streaky bacon, not back bacon. The extra fat renders and crisps in the hot air, and the rashers wrap neatly around the breast.
- Keep the basket loose. Leave a little gap between the fillets so the hot air reaches the sides. If your air fryer is small, cook in two batches and keep the first ones warm under foil.
Serving
Serve the chicken with chips or a jacket potato, plus peas or green beans for a proper pub-style plate. Corn on the cob is also a good match for the barbecue sauce. If you only want the plain version, see the basic method for chicken breast in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Leftovers keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat them at 160 °C for 5–6 minutes until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Cold sliced hunters chicken air fryer leftovers also work well in a wrap or flatbread with salad and a little extra sauce.
Variations
- Smoky and spicy: Mix 1 tsp chipotle paste into the barbecue sauce for a gentle heat.
- Cheese swap: Use Red Leicester, Monterey Jack-style cheese or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for a stretchier topping.
- Lighter version: Use back bacon instead of streaky bacon and half the cheese. The chicken stays moist, but the bacon will be less crisp.
Troubleshooting
- The bacon is pale and floppy
- Streaky bacon needs direct heat. Cook the chicken seam-side down first, turn it halfway and cook the last few minutes with the sauce on top rather than covering it in foil.
- The sauce has burned
- Barbecue sauce contains sugar and darkens quickly. Add it only for the last 3–4 minutes and use a thin layer.
- The chicken is dry inside
- Thick breasts overcook before the bacon is ready. Butterfly them or flatten them to an even thickness, and take them out at 75 °C.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook hunters chicken in an air fryer?
Fresh bacon-wrapped breasts take about 18 minutes at 190 °C, turned halfway, with the sauce and cheese added for the last 3–4 minutes. Smaller or flattened breasts may be ready 2 minutes sooner.
Can you cook frozen hunters chicken in the air fryer?
Yes. Shop-bought frozen portions usually cook at 180 °C for 18–22 minutes, turned once. Remove any plastic or tray, follow the pack if it differs, and check the centre has reached 75 °C.
Can you make hunter's chicken as a tray bake in an air fryer?
A basket air fryer is too small for a full tray bake, but you can cook diced potatoes first for 12 minutes at 200 °C, then add the chicken on top if you have a large drawer or oven-style machine.
Is it safe to cook chicken wrapped in bacon?
Yes, as long as the chicken reaches 75 °C in the thickest part and the bacon is cooked through. Use a thermometer rather than judging by the colour of the bacon.
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