Air Fryer Chicken Pilaf

This air fryer chicken pilaf is a juicy, flavorful and satisfying one-dish meal made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, colorful vegetables and aromatic spices. Everything comes together in the air fryer, making this an easy option for a delicious family dinner.

If you enjoy quick air fryer meals, you may also want to try our Air Fryer Cheesy Sandwich, another simple recipe that’s perfect for a quick lunch or light meal.

The combination of chicken, rice, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic and warm pilaf seasoning gives this recipe plenty of flavor without requiring complicated cooking techniques. The air fryer helps cook the chicken and vegetables beautifully before the soaked rice is added to create a hearty pilaf.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Pilaf

• 🍗 Tender and flavorful chicken
• 🍚 Deliciously seasoned rice
• 🥕 Packed with colorful vegetables
• 🌿 Aromatic herbs and spices
• ⏱️ Easy preparation
• 🥘 Everything cooks in the air fryer
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for a family dinner

Ingredients

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Pilaf

Step 1: Soak the Rice

Place the rice in a deep bowl and cover it with hot water. Let the rice soak while you prepare the chicken and vegetables. This helps the rice cook more evenly during the final cooking stage.

Step 2: Add the Chicken

Place the chicken drumsticks and chicken thigh meat into the air fryer basket or a suitable deep air-fryer-safe dish.

Step 3: Add the Vegetables

Add the chopped onion, grated carrots, chopped bell pepper, sliced cherry tomatoes and garlic to the chicken.

Step 4: Season Everything

Season the chicken and vegetables with black pepper, salt, sugar, sumac, oregano and pilaf seasoning.

Pour over the olive oil and mix everything thoroughly so the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Step 5: Air Fry the Chicken and Vegetables

Cook at 195°C / 383°F for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, carefully remove the basket and mix the chicken and vegetables so they cook evenly.

Step 6: Add the Rice

Drain the soaked rice thoroughly. Add it to the air fryer basket with the cooked chicken and vegetables.

Add the ketchup or tomato paste and pour in the 200 ml hot water.

Mix gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 7: Finish Cooking

Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 25 minutes at 195°C / 383°F.

Check the rice toward the end of cooking. It should be tender and the chicken should be completely cooked through.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the finished air fryer chicken pilaf to a serving dish.

Sprinkle generously with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.

Air Fryer Chicken Pilaf Cooking Time

Tips for the Best Chicken Pilaf

What to Serve With Chicken Pilaf

This air fryer chicken pilaf is filling enough to serve as a complete meal, but you can pair it with:

• Fresh cucumber and tomato salad
• Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
• Pickled vegetables
• Fresh herbs
• Garlic yogurt sauce
• A simple green salad

How to Store Leftover Chicken Pilaf

Allow leftover pilaf to cool and place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate and use within 3–4 days.

When reheating, make sure the chicken and rice are heated thoroughly before serving. You can add a small splash of water before reheating if the rice has become dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Air Fryer Recipes & Guides

If you’re learning how to get better results from your air fryer, check out our Air Fryer 101 guide and How to Use an Air Fryer guide for helpful cooking tips and techniques.

Looking for more chicken recipes? Try our Air Fryer Chicken Stew for a comforting one-dish meal, or our Air Fryer Chicken and Mushroom Julienne for a creamy and cheesy appetizer.

Written by

James Wilson

Air Fryer Recipe Creator & Food Writer

James Wilson is an air fryer recipe creator and food writer who loves making simple, crispy, and flavorful meals easier to prepare at home. He focuses on practical air fryer recipes, helpful cooking tips, and easy-to-follow ideas designed for everyday kitchens.