Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer is no longer just a kitchen novelty โ it's a complete assistant for cooking diet and delicious dishes without excess oil. But if fries or frozen nuggets are more or less clear, then the whole chicken in this device raises questions even from experienced hosts: How not to overdry the meat? Why does the skin not become crispy? And can you cook a bird weighing more than 1 kg?
In this article, we've got a step-by-step algorithm for making juicy chicken in Xiaomi's aerogrilla, including temperature selection, timing for different scales, marinade secrets, even a model program matching table, and common bugs that spoil the result, and life hacks for the perfect crust.
Let's get right to the point: an aerogrill is not an oven or a multicooker. Here, air circulates at a high speed (up to 7 m/s in Xiaomi models), which ensures uniform roasting on all sides. But if you choose the wrong temperature or ignore the weight of the bird, the meat (close to the bones) will remain raw, and the breast will turn into a "sole", so the first step is to prepare the chicken and understand what program will suit your model.
Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro (model) MJXJSQ03ZM) They have the advantage of having a special "whole bird" mode (Whole Chicken in English firmware) in more budget versions (for example, Mi Air Fryer). 3.5L) You will have to adjust the parameters manually, but we will tell you how to do it in detail.
1.Chicken selection and preparation: what affects the outcome
Not every bird is suitable for aerogrills, the optimal weight is 1-1.3 kg. Larger chickens (1.5 kg).+) They cook unevenly: the legs roast faster than the breast, and the skin on the back may remain pale. If you find a large carcass, it is better to divide it into parts or use the butterfly method (cut along the spine and spread it).
Please note the meat category:
- ๐ Broiler chicken - cooks quickly (40-50 minutes), but can be dry.
- ๐ Home / farm - juicier, but takes 10-15 minutes longer. Perfect for aerogrill.
- ๐ฅฉ Partridge or guinea pig โ cooked in the same way as chicken, but time is reduced by 20% due to its smaller size.
Before cooking, it is mandatory to:
- Remove the insides and wash the carcass under cold water.
- Dry with paper towels - moisture on the skin will prevent the formation of a crispy crust.
- Cut the excess fat from the tail and neck (they can smoke the device).
2 Marinade: Secrets of Juicy and Taste
Without marinade, the chicken in the aerogrilla often turns fresh. But here's the caveat: sour marinades (lemon, vinegar, wine) soften the skin, and it will not become crispy. For crusts, it is better to use dry mixtures or marinades based on yogurt / mayonnaise.
Proven recipes:
- ๐ง Classic dry marinade: 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, ยฝ Spray the chicken and leave it for 1 hour.
- ๐ฅ Yogurt marinade: 200g natural yogurt, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp curry, half lemon juice. Marinate for 2-4 hours.
- ๐ฟ Herbal marinade: olive oil, rosemary, thyme, 3 cloves of garlic rub under the skin and leave for 30 minutes.
For lovers of spiciness: add 1 tsp cayenne pepper or 1 tbsp. l. Sriracha sauce to the marinade. But remember: in the aerogril, the spices "open" more strongly than in the oven - do not overdo it!
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To better penetrate the marinade into the meat, make several incisions on the breast and legs (not to the bone!).
3.Aerogrill settings: temperature and time for perfect roasting
It all depends on the Xiaomi model and the weight of the chicken, and the table below is the best settings for the most popular devices:
| Model aerogrill | Chicken weight | Temperature. | Time. | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro (MJXJSQ03ZM) | 1-1.2 kg | 180ยฐC | 45-50 minutes | Whole Chicken |
| Mi Air Fryer 3.5L (MJXJSQ02ZM) | 0.8-1 kg | 190ยฐC | 40-45 minutes | Manual mode |
| Xiaomi Youpin Air Fryer (MJXJSQ01ZM) | 1.2โ1.5 kg | 170ยฐC | 55-60 minutes | Bake + convection |
| Any model. | < 0.8 kg | 200ยฐC | 30โ35 minutes | Manual mode |
Important nuances:
- ๐ฅ If your model supports preheating (like the Smart Air Fryer Pro), turn it on for 3 minutes before laying the chicken.
- โฑ๏ธ Chicken weighing more than 1.3 kg should be turned over after 30 minutes of cooking.
- ๐จ In models without automatic "whole bird" mode, use Manual โ 180ยฐC โ Convection.
Insert preheating (if any)|Set the basket to the middle level|Place the chicken breast up|Close the cover and start the program-->
Critical error: Don't use the Fry mode for the whole chicken! It's designed for small pieces (wings, thigh) and will burn the skin, leaving the meat raw inside.
4. Step-by-step instructions: how to bake chicken in a Xiaomi air grill
Follow this algorithm for guaranteed juicy results:
- Step 1: Prepare the device: Set the basket to a mid-level level (in models with 3-4 levels). If you have a Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro, use a grille for the whole bird (it comes with it). In budget models, put a silicone stand under the chicken so that it does not stick.
- Step 2: Place the chicken with the breast up, so the juice is evenly distributed over the meat, and you can tie the legs with a culinary thread so that they don't get burned.
- Step 3. Start the program Select the mode according to the table above. If you cook in Mi Air Fryer 3.5L, Set the timer for 40 minutes at 190ยฐC with convection.
- Step 4: Control the process In 20 minutes, open the lid and pour the chicken with juice accumulated at the bottom of the basket (this will keep the juice). Repeat in another 20 minutes.
- Step 5 Readiness Check Readiness is determined by three criteria: Breast temperature (measured by a culinary thermometer) - 75ยฐC. The juice that comes from puncture of the leg should be transparent (without blood.
What to do if the chicken is not fried?
5 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users of Xiaomi air grills sometimes face problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:
โ ๏ธ Warning: If your aerogrill starts to smoke during cooking, turn it off immediately and check: Has any fat been hit on the heating element (wipe with a napkin after cooling). Have you used a marinade with honey or sugar - they burn at high temperatures.
Problem 1: Dry breast but raw legs
The reason: uneven air circulation.
- Use a bar (lifts the chicken above the bottom of the basket).
- Turn the carcass over 20 minutes before the end of cooking.
Problem 2: Skin doesn't crunch
Causes and solutions:
- ๐ฆ The chicken was wet before cooking. โ Dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- ๐ก๏ธ Temperature too low โ zoom in to 200.ยฐC for the last 10 minutes.
- ๐ฏ Marinade contained sugar/honey โ use dry spices.
Problem 3: The air grill turns off while cooking
Xiaomi models will be protected against overheating if:
- The cart is overloaded (maximum 1.5 kg for most devices).
- Ventilation holes are closed (do not put the aerogrill close to the wall).
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The ideal temperature for crispy skin is 200.ยฐC, but only in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. Start with 180.ยฐC, so that the meat doesn't dry out.
6. Presentation and serving: how to make a dish restaurant
Don't cut the finished chicken right away -- let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes under the foil, which will keep the juices inside the meat.
- ๐ฝ๏ธ Flow the chicken with juice from the basket of aerogril (pre-strain through the strainer).
- ๐ฟ Decorate with fresh greens (parsley, dill) and slices of lemon.
- ๐ฅ Serve with vegetables baked in the same aerogril (potatoes, carrots, zucchini).
For the special chic:
- ๐ฅ Round your skin with a gas burner 1-2 minutes before serving (carefully!).
- ๐ง Sprinkle sea salt with large grind immediately after cooking.
The leftover chicken can be used for salads or broth. In the aerogrilla Xiaomi convenient to prepare chicken chips made of leather: lay it on the grille, salt and bake for 5 minutes at 200ยฐC.
7.Alternative recipes: Not just whole chicken
Xiaomi aerogril can handle other chicken dishes.
- ๐ Chicken leg: 200ยฐC, 25 minutes, pre-marinated in soy sauce and honey.
- ๐ข Buffalo wings: 190ยฐC, 20 minutes, then dip in a mixture of butter and Tabasco sauce.
- ๐ฅ Chicken kebabs: pieces of meat on swords, 180ยฐC, 15 minutes, roll over every 5 minutes.
For chicken patties in aerogril:
- Form cutlets with a thickness of 2 cm.
- Cook at 180.ยฐ12-15 minutes, turning over once.
- For crispy crust, fall in breadcrumbs with paprika.
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Xiaomi models with Dehydrate feature can dry chicken fillet for pet food. Temperature - 70ยฐC, time 6-8 hours.