Chicken Patties In Air Fryer

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Reader Rating
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 4 servings

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My air fryer chicken patties make for a fast and easy dinner any night of the week! Ready in under 20 minutes and so juicy and tender.

chicken patties in air fryer.

If you’ve tried my air fryer hamburgers or air fryer turkey burgers before, you’ll love this chicken version, aka air fryer chicken patties. They’re super easy to make and can even be prepped ahead of time or frozen for later!

And before you think otherwise, these are NOT like other recipes you may see that use frozen, pre-bought chicken patties. My ones are made from scratch and taste better than those processed ones.

I tested these patties with both lean and fattier ground chicken to make sure they never turn out dry. The trick is mixing in a touch of olive oil, which locks in moisture while the air fryer crisps up the outside. In culinary school, we were taught that ground poultry (like ground chicken) needs a flavor boost to really shine, so I use a small but mighty mix for depth. After dozens of test runs, I found the balance gives you juicy patties every time – better than anything you’d get from a box. 

Table of Contents
  1. Key Ingredients
  2. How to make air fryer chicken patties
  3. Arman’s pro recipe tips
  4. Frequently asked questions
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Air Fryer Chicken Patties (Recipe Card)
  7. More air fryer chicken recipes

Why make chicken patties in the air fryer

  • Wholesome. Using a lean protein like ground chicken makes this chicken patty recipe a nutritious and delicious lunch or dinner.
  • Breadcrumb-free. They stick together, even without breadcrumbs or eggs! Keeping the ground chicken mixture breadcrumb-free also makes this recipe naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly.
  • Perfect texture. I love how the air fryer gives the ground chicken patties crisp edges and juicy middles.
  • Freezer-friendly. Keep the patties in the freezer for a quick weeknight dinner- they reheat beautifully.

READER REVIEWS

★★★★★“These patties are next-level great! I served them with your peanut sauce, Arman ….SO GOOD …this recipe is going to be on constant repeat here 😊”Jane

★★★★★“These chicken patties are so juicy and flavorful! Way better than frozen ones and now a weeknight staple in our house.”Lucy

Key Ingredients

ingredients for air fryer chicken patties.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

  • Ground chicken. As mentioned earlier, I tried lean and 80/20 ground chicken options, and the lean option held up beautifully with the added oil and didn’t shrink at all. 
  • Seasonings. I like to use salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to give each patty savory flavors.
  • Olive oil. Helps form the patties and encourages browning on the outside. Another neutral-flavored oil could also be used.
  • Worcestershire sauce. I tested batches with and without Worcestershire – the version with it had a noticeably richer, umami depth you don’t get from plain chicken.

Recipe variations

  • Instead of ground chicken. This recipe also works well with ground turkey or with ground pork.
  • Customize the flavor. Swap the seasonings in the recipe card for a garlic herb, Italian, Cajun, or taco seasoning blend.
  • Make them with cheese. Stir grated parmesan, shredded mozzarella, or your favorite shredded cheese into the chicken mixture for gooey melted cheese strings in every bite.

How to make air fryer chicken patties

ground chicken with spices in a mixing bowl.

Step 1 – Make the chicken mixture. Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix until fully combined. With slightly wet hands, form the chicken mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.

raw chicken patties in the air fryer.

Step 2 – Air fry. Arrange the patties in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry until they’re cooked through and crispy on the outside.

air fried chicken patties.

Step 3 – Rest, then serve. Let the patties rest for 5 minutes before serving.

What to serve with this

My favorite way to serve chicken patties is on hamburger buns with all the classic burger fixings, like lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, pickles, and a slice of cheese on top. I can’t forget about the sauces, either! Some Big Mac sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, spicy mayo, or hot honey sauce is always delicious.

When I’m craving a lighter meal, I’ll chop up the patties and serve them on top of a green salad or grain bowl. 

Arman’s pro recipe tips

  • Don’t overcook the patties! You’ll know they’re done air frying and cooked to perfection when a meat thermometer measures the internal temperature at 160ºF. As they’re resting, they’ll come up to a safe temperature of 165ºF.
  • For the crispiest exterior, make sure the patties aren’t overlapping or touching in the air fryer basket. You may need to air fry in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side (my Phillips XL air fryer fits in 4 patties comfortably).

Frequently asked questions

How do you keep chicken patties from falling apart?

I found that the patties held together, but if yours are falling apart, place the formed patties in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. The cold temperatures will help the meat mixture firm up!

Can I use frozen chicken patties?

Yes, of course. Any store-bought frozen chicken patty will work. Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can I make these patties ahead of time?

Yes! I often form them in the morning, cover them, and let them rest in the fridge. They firm up and cook more evenly. 

air fryer chicken patties.

Storage instructions

To store: Wrap the leftover ground chicken burgers in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keep them in a ziplock bag or airtight container, and store them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: The homemade chicken patties also freeze well before and after cooking (let them cool before storing). Separate each patty with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper, keep them in a ziplock bag or an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat: Pop the thawed or frozen patties back in the air fryer and reheat at 375ºF for 5 to 8 minutes or until they’re warmed through.

✅ Nutrition reviewed

Since these chicken patties discuss health benefits, the nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.

air fryer chicken patties recipe.

Air Fryer Chicken Patties

5 from 41 votes
Make chicken patties in the air fryer for a fast, high-protein dinner. Crispy outside, tender inside, and perfect for meal prep or freezer-friendly meals. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 17 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
  • Add the ground chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl and mix well.
  • Using lightly wet hands, shape the mixture into four equal-sized patties.
  • Add the chicken patties to a greased air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
  • Let the patties rest for 5 minutes before assembling before serving.

Notes

  • Ground chicken: I prefer lean, but 80/20 also works.
  • Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days (covered) or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • Freezing uncooked patties: Separate each patty with parchment paper and keep in the freezer for 3 months. 
  • Reheating: Pop the thawed or frozen patties back in the air fryer and reheat at 375ºF for 5 to 8 minutes or until they’re warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSodium: 379mgPotassium: 612mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 64IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

More air fryer chicken recipes

Originally published January 2024, updated and republished September 2025

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, culinary school graduate, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

5 from 41 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    A great alternative to beef burgers. I added in more spices and made them Cajun. I also tried it with lemon pepper spices and they were great.

  2. 5 stars
    These patties are next level great ! I served them with your peanut sauce , Arman ….SO GOOD …this recipe is going to be on constant repeat here 😊