Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
The BEST Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast .Golden on the outside, moist and tender on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. Enjoy on its own or use for meal prep.
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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
While dry brining isn’t absolutely mandatory (the spices, cooking temperature, and cook times listed in this recipe are still correct for making the best air fryer chicken breasts), it works wonders on meat. It improves texture, making the meat juicy, plump, and tender instead of rubbery. It also enhances flavor, ensuring the meat tastes well-seasoned throughout, not just on the outside. If you have the time, I highly recommend brining.
This is the air fryer I used for testing. The total cook time may vary based on your model.
No air fryer? Try making my juicy Baked Chicken Breast instead.
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
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