Chicken with peppers and zucchini in air fryer: ready in 20 minutes!

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1 chicken thigh
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (+/-)
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)

For the vegetables:

• 1 zucchini (small)
• 1/2 red (or yellow) bell pepper
• Olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Materials

• Bowl
• Kitchen brush
• Air fryer (we used the COSORI Turbo Tower Pro Smart 10.8L)

Preparation

• Brush the chicken thigh with extra virgin olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper, making sure to evenly cover the entire surface. Alternatively, if you do not have a kitchen brush, massage the meat well with your hands to let the flavors penetrate better and achieve a more even marinade.
• Wash the zucchini and bell pepper, then cut the zucchini into cubes and the bell pepper into thin strips. Gather the vegetables in a bowl, season with a little oil, salt and pepper, then mix well.
  
• Place the chicken in one basket of the air fryer and bake in Bake mode at 390°F/200°C for 16 minutes. Arrange the vegetables in the other basket and set the Roast mode to 370°F/190°C for 10 minutes.
• If your air fryer allows it, use the Sync function to have the chicken and vegetables finish cooking at the same time.
  
• Chicken with peppers and zucchini in air fryer is ready!

Observations

How to store chicken with peppers and zucchini cooked in air fryer?
After cooking, let the chicken and vegetables cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before consuming, reheat in an air fryer at 350°F/180°C for 3-4 minutes to regain the original crispness of the chicken and the right texture of the vegetables. For longer storage, you can freeze the already cooked portions: simply thaw them in the refrigerator and then reheat in a deep fryer or microwave before serving.

How can I get a crispy outside and juicy inside chicken using the air fryer?
To prepare a chicken that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, brush the chicken thigh with extra virgin olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper, distributing the seasonings evenly over the entire surface. Bake at 390°F/200°C for 16 minutes in Bake mode, avoiding overloading the basket: this will allow hot air to circulate freely, ensuring even cooking. If the air fryer (like ours) has an internal grill, use it to promote air circulation both above and below the chicken. Otherwise, turn the meat halfway through cooking to achieve perfect browning on both sides.

What are the advantages of using an air fryer with a double basket for this recipe?
Using an air fryer with a double basket allows you to cook chicken and vegetables at the same time at different temperatures and times, without the flavors mixing. This greatly reduces preparation time and ensures that each ingredient cooks to perfection, keeping chicken crispy and vegetables tender but firm.

How to replace the kitchen brush for brushing the chicken?
If you do not have a kitchen brush, massage the marinade with your hands directly onto the meat. This way the seasonings penetrate better, distributing evenly and making the chicken meat more flavorful.

Can I substitute zucchini and peppers for other vegetables in the air fryer?
Yes, you can replace zucchini and peppers with other vegetables such as eggplant, carrots or broccoli. It is important to cut them into similarly sized pieces to ensure even cooking in the air fryer and to prevent some parts from remaining raw or overcooked.

How does the Sync function work in the air fryer and why is it useful?
The Sync function allows the two baskets of the air fryer to be synchronized so that chicken and vegetables finish cooking at the same time. This avoids having to check times separately and allows you to serve a hot, fast, perfectly cooked meal right away.

Cookware

Attributes

Questions

Photos of members who cooked this recipe