Air Fryer Peach Glazed Chicken: Your New Go-To Easy Family Dinner

Searching for a quick, delicious, and undeniably crowd-pleasing dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds? Look no further than this incredible Air Fryer Peach Glazed Chicken! This recipe delivers succulent, juicy chicken breasts with a perfectly sticky, sweet, and savory glaze, all made with just three simple ingredients. It’s the ideal weeknight meal solution when you want maximum flavor with minimum effort, proving that gourmet taste can be achieved effortlessly in your air fryer.

While fresh peaches are a seasonal delight during the summer months, this recipe wisely opts for peach preserves to streamline your cooking process. This clever shortcut ensures you can enjoy this delightful dish year-round, without sacrificing flavor or quality. The beauty of the air fryer lies in its ability to transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals in a fraction of the time. We’re all about quick and easy here, and this simple air fryer chicken recipe is a prime example of how to make family dinners both delicious and stress-free.

The air fryer truly shines when cooking chicken, guaranteeing breasts that are incredibly moist and juicy on the inside, with a beautiful golden finish and that irresistible sticky-sweet glaze on the outside. This combination of textures and flavors is what makes this meal a runaway hit. Serve it alongside fluffy jasmine rice, wholesome brown rice, or a crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying meal that will have your family racing to the dinner table.

If you’re as big a fan of quick and crispy chicken as we are, you’ll also adore our Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets. They’re another fantastic option for a juicy, tender, and super speedy meal. And for even more inspiration, be sure to check out our extensive guide to the Top 50 Air Fryer Chicken Recipes – there’s something for every craving!

Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Peach Glazed Chicken

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You don’t need a pantry full of exotic items to create this flavorful dish. Just a few kitchen staples are all it takes to achieve a perfectly cooked, sweet, and savory chicken. For this recipe, I primarily used my trusty Cosori 5.8 quart Air Fryer, a real workhorse in my kitchen. However, any air fryer model will work beautifully; simply keep in mind that cooking times might vary slightly depending on your specific appliance’s wattage and size.

Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need for this delicious glazed chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Aim for pieces that are approximately 6-8 ounces each for even cooking. Uniform thickness is key for best results.
• 1/2 cup Italian Dressing: This acts as a fantastic marinade, infusing the chicken with herbs, spices, and a touch of tang, ensuring it stays moist.
• 1/4 cup peach or apricot preserves: The star of our glaze! Peach preserves provide that signature sweet and fruity flavor, while apricot preserves offer a delightful alternative. Find high-quality options like Smucker’s peach preserves for the best taste.

While this recipe specifically calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, its versatility means you can easily adapt it for other cuts. For example, chicken thighs would also be incredibly delicious, offering a slightly richer flavor and even more moisture. If you’re exploring other fantastic chicken options for your air fryer, be sure to check out our recipes for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Blackened Chicken Tenders for more mouth-watering ideas.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Peach Glazed Chicken

Making this peach glazed chicken in your air fryer is incredibly straightforward, designed for convenience and delicious results. Follow these simple steps to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavorful meal:

1. Marinate for Maximum Flavor

Begin by patting your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This crucial step helps the marinade adhere better and promotes a crispier exterior. Next, place the chicken breasts into a large Ziploc bag or a shallow medium bowl. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. I highly recommend using a Ziploc bag for this stage, as it minimizes direct contact with raw chicken and makes for super easy cleanup – simply toss the bag when you’re done! If using a bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. For an even more profound flavor, two hours or even overnight (up to 8 hours) is ideal. The Italian dressing acts as the perfect flavor base, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with a balanced blend of herbs and spices that complement the sweet peach glaze beautifully.

2. Air Fry to Golden Perfection

Once your chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the bag or bowl, discarding any leftover dressing (for food safety, never reuse marinade that has touched raw meat). Lightly brush both sides of each chicken breast with a generous coating of the peach preserves. This first layer of glaze will caramelize beautifully during the initial air frying stage.

Carefully place the chicken breasts in your air fryer basket or on the tray in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the basket. Cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193°C) for approximately 8-10 minutes per side. The exact timing can vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your chicken, so always monitor for doneness.

3. Achieve the Ultimate Sticky Glaze

Once the chicken has achieved a beautiful golden brown color and is nearly cooked through, it’s time for the final touch. Brush another generous coating of peach preserves over both sides of the chicken. Return the chicken to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes of cooking. This second application of glaze will caramelize further, creating that irresistibly sticky and glossy finish that makes this dish so special.

Always confirm that your chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74°C) by using a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. This ensures both safety and optimal juiciness. Once done, remove from the air fryer and let rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in even more tender chicken.

Looking for answers to common air frying questions? Click Here to Get the Top Ten Air Fryer Questions Answered!

Tips for Success & Delicious Variations

This Air Fryer Peach Glazed Chicken recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving, allowing for easy customization to suit your taste and dietary needs. Here are some helpful hints to elevate your dish and ensure perfect results every time:

• Health-Conscious Adaptation: For a Weight Watchers-friendly meal of less than 1 point, simply substitute fat-free Italian dressing and sugar-free peach preserves. You’ll still achieve a wonderfully flavorful meal without compromising your goals.
• Chicken Cut Options: While I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for their quick cooking time, this recipe works beautifully with other chicken cuts. Chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless, will also be incredibly tender and flavorful, though they may require a few extra minutes of cooking. Chicken wings are another fantastic option for a sticky, sweet appetizer! Just adjust cooking times accordingly and ensure they reach 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
• Glaze Alternatives: Feel free to experiment with different preserves! Apricot preserves make a delicious Air Fryer Apricot Glazed Chicken, offering a slightly tarter, equally sweet flavor profile. For a classic sweet and savory dish, you can substitute the preserves with honey for an exquisite honey glazed chicken.
• Storage & Reheating: Leftovers are just as delicious! Store any unused chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place the chicken back in your air fryer at 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193°C) for 3-4 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. This method keeps the chicken moist and the glaze perfectly sticky.
• Enhance the Seasoning: While the Italian dressing provides ample seasoning, you can always add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste before or after air frying. For a visually appealing finish and an extra layer of freshness, garnish with parsley flakes. A sprinkle of brown sugar during the final glazing stage can boost caramelization, or a dash of sesame seeds can add a lovely nutty crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Glazed Chicken

Got questions? We’ve got answers to help you master this delicious air fryer chicken recipe!

Can I save the marinade and use it again?

For safety reasons, it is strongly advised to discard any leftover marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken. Reusing marinade can lead to bacterial contamination. Always prepare fresh marinade if you want to use it as a sauce or for another batch of chicken.

Can I use frozen chicken thighs or breasts to make this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it’s best to thaw it completely before marinating for optimal flavor absorption and even cooking. If you decide to cook from frozen, you will need to significantly adjust the cooking time, adding several minutes per side. Also, keep in mind that the cook time will need to be adjusted based on the thickness of the cut; thicker pieces will naturally take longer.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

While many air fryer recipes suggest preheating, I found it wasn’t strictly necessary for this particular recipe. The chicken cooked perfectly without preheating my air fryer. However, if your air fryer requires preheating for other recipes, or if you prefer to preheat for consistency, a quick 3-5 minute preheat at 380°F (193°C) won’t hurt.

Do I need to coat the basket with olive oil?

Thanks to the Italian dressing and the natural non-stick properties of many air fryer baskets, this peach glazed chicken generally does not stick. You shouldn’t need to spray the basket with olive oil. For even easier cleanup, especially if you’re concerned about sticky glazes, you can use air fryer parchment paper liners, but it’s not strictly necessary for success.

Can I use bone-in chicken?

Yes, bone-in chicken can be used, but it will require a longer cooking time. Ensure you use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature near the bone, aiming for 165°F (74°C).

What if I don’t have Italian dressing?

If you don’t have Italian dressing, you can create a simple marinade with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. It won’t be exactly the same, but it will provide a similar flavor profile and keep the chicken moist.

What are good side dishes for Peach Glazed Chicken?

This sweet and savory chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with fluffy rice (jasmine or brown), steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli, a fresh green salad, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes. The sweetness of the glaze makes it a great complement to slightly plainer sides.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:

• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken
• Air Fryer Pistachio Crusted Chicken