Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Tender and juicy air fryer chicken breast turn out perfect every time! Golden and crispy on the outside, moist and delicious on the inside. It’s so easy and bursting with flavor!
Air fryer food is succulent and convenient! Serve your chicken with roasted potatoes, easy corn on the cob, or these delicious Air Fryer Chicken Legs, Air Fryer Chicken Wings (SUPER CRISPY!) , and Air Fryer Chicken Thighs for a complete meal. If you don’t have an air fryer yet, it’s time to get one!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Air fryers have revolutionized cooking. They’re quick, easy, and everything that comes out tastes amazing. This is a healthy way to cook chicken or any other dish without heating the whole oven for just a few chicken breasts. It’s quick, and the cleanup is a breeze.
Chicken can be tricky to get right every time, but the air fryer takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. Just check the temperature to ensure doneness because you don’t want to overcook it. Use leftover chicken in fried rice, pasta dishes, or salads!
Ingredients You Will Need
This air fryer chicken recipe uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. It’s perfect for busy weeknights because it’s quick and easy!
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are trimmed and ready to go!
- Olive Oil: A mild-flavored oil perfect for the air fryer.
- Italian Seasoning: A perfect combination of spices.
- Garlic Powder: Adds great flavor.
- Paprika: Adds color and gives it that “wow” flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
- Optional: Brussels sprouts or broccoli are my favorites.
Let’s Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast
I promise, you will make your chicken in the air fryer from now on. It’s so easy and fail-proof. Never wonder what’s for dinner again! This chicken is versatile and can be used in many recipes.
- Oil: Place the chicken in the air fryer and rub with olive oil to coat.
- Combine: In a small bowl, combine the spices and rub generously on the chicken.
- Air Fry: Bake at 360°F for 9 minutes, then flip the chicken and add Brussels sprouts if using. Cook for an additional 9 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and enjoying!
Tips for the Juiciest Air Fryer Chicken
Let’s make the best juicy and tender air fryer chicken breasts! Here are my tips for making this recipe a success:
- Olive Oil: Helps to crisp the skin and ensures spices and herbs adhere to the meat.
- Space: Make sure to leave room between the chicken breasts to ensure even cooking. Don’t overcrowd the chicken; cook in batches if needed.
- Temperature: Check the temperature earlier than you think to avoid overcooking. Appliances can vary, so go by the chicken’s temperature to ensure it’s done.
- Rest: Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the chicken instead of spilling onto your plate.
- Spices: Mix up the spices depending on your menu. afterward, You can use Mexican spices, BBQ spices, Indian spices, etc. This is a quick and delicious way to cook your chicken.
- Moist: Want super moist and tender chicken? Try marinating or brining your chicken for even greater juiciness and flavor.
How to Cook Juicy Chicken in the Air Fryer
My #1 secret to juicy chicken breast is brining. Even just 30 minutes of brining can make a massive difference. Another secret is not to overcook the chicken breast. I really cannot overstate this.
If your air fryer chicken breast is dry, it is most likely because you overcooked it. Use an inexpensive instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F. I typically remove my chicken around 155-160°F. During the resting period, the carryover cooking will bring the chicken to temperature and make it safe to eat.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken
Ready to make melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken? Let’s do it!
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Despite their reputation for being dry and boring, chicken breasts can truly shine when prepared correctly. Not only are these air fryer chicken breasts tender and succulent, but they’re also packed with lean protein and vitamins.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken breasts and keeps them moist.
- Seasoning Blend: My favorite mixture is paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It’s flavorful, versatile, and delicious!
Ways to Use Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Once you’ve made your chicken in the air fryer, here are some tasty ways to use it:
- Salad:Top your favorite salad recipe with this air fryer chicken. We love adding ours to a Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing. accordingly, afterward, also, basically, but, so, generally, indeed
- Pasta: Pack extra protein into a veggie pasta dish by adding chicken. accordingly, It would be tasty tossed in a Brussels Sprouts Pasta with Brown Butter.
- Pizza: Use your air fryer chicken to make a scrumptious Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
- Stir Fry: Add it to a Vegetable Lo Mein for a delicious meal.
- Sandwiches or Wraps: Use the chicken to make a Chicken Caesar Wrap, or add it to an Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese and Garlic for extra protein.
Storage Tips
- To Store: Refrigerate chicken breasts in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Gently rewarm chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350°F.
- To Freeze: Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer: The one I own and love!
- Non-Slip Cutting Board: This cutting board won’t slip away from you while you’re prepping ingredients.
- Instant Read Thermometer: The #1 way to ensure your meat is cooked through.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast FAQ
Air fry your chicken breasts accordingly: 4-5 oz breasts will take about 10-12 minutes, 6-8 oz breasts will need 13-15 minutes, and 9-12 oz breasts could take 16-20 minutes. indeed, Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F, measured with an instant-read thermometer, and flip the chicken breasts halfway through cooking.
Yes, you can put raw frozen chicken in the air fryer! While you won’t be able to brine it or pound it to an even thickness (so the results won’t be as juicy), it’s a convenient option if you forget to thaw your chicken.
Place the chicken on the air fryer basket or grate in an even layer, leaving some space for air to circulate. accordingly, Air fry at 415°F for 10 minutes. For larger pieces of chicken, cook for about 13 minutes. indeed, Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Air frying is healthier than deep frying or pan frying. I suggest lightly spraying the chicken with oil before and during air frying, but since you don’t completely submerge the pieces in oil, they absorb much less oil during cooking.
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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound them into an even thickness.
- Dry Brine (Optional): Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle with kosher salt. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. If you skip the dry brining, add the salt in the seasoning mix.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with the spice mixture, and toss to coat evenly.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (about 3 minutes for my model). Place the chicken, smooth side down, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Carefully flip the chicken over using tongs. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches between 155°F and 160°F, about 2 to 8 more minutes. Smaller breasts (around 6 ounces each) will need about 8 minutes total; larger ones may need 14 minutes or more. Check frequently towards the end to avoid overcooking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken to a plate, cover, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows carryover cooking to bring the chicken to a safe 165°F. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Storage Instructions:
- To Store: Refrigerate chicken breasts in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Gently rewarm chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350°F.
- To Freeze: Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
