Discover the deliciousness you’ve been craving: Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
This juicy chicken breast is a delightful surprise, shattering the common belief that boneless, skinless chicken is always rubbery, dry or bland. It’s so flavorful and tender, you’ll find yourself craving it, instead of just eating it because it’s healthy. (And trust me, my Spicy Chicken Wraps has no room for blandness either!)
Table of Contents
Like with my favorite melt-in-your-mouth recipes for Baked Chicken Breast , Grilled Chicken Breast, and Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast, there’s no need for your chicken to be anything but juicy and delicious!
Just one easy trick and your chicken breast will become a juicy, all-purpose protein that’s perfect for quick, healthy meals anytime during the week!
- In this guide, we’ll show you how to ensure your air fryer chicken stays juicy and delicious, not dry.
- Feel free to sprinkle on your favorite herbs and seasonings (I’ve shared my personal blend below for you to try).
- Say hello to this air fryer chicken without breading! If you’re in the mood for some crispy texture, you might want to check out the Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breast. This dish is a meal prep superstar because it’s incredibly versatile. Toss it into salads, wraps, sandwiches, and, whether you prefer it hot or cold—it’s delicious any way you serve it!
Using the Air Fryer for Chicken
Ever since I got my air fryer a few months back, I’ve been totally hooked!
An air fryer is a neat little countertop gadget that functions like a mini convection oven, circulating hot air around your food for even cooking. It’s way more versatile than I ever imagined!
You can easily whip up delicious meals using an air fryer to…
- Whip up healthier takes on your favorite fried treats, like crispy Air Fryer French Fries, tasty Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and gooey Air Fryer Grilled Cheese!
- Roast super crispy veggies in no time, like these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts!
- Create juicier proteins with ease—think Air Fryer Pork Chops, Air Fryer Tofu, Air Fryer Salmon, and today’s star: air fried chicken breast!
- Check out our complete collection of air fryer recipes here!
Chicken breast, being lean, really shines when cooked at high temperatures quickly, and that’s where the air fryer truly excels!
After giving various temperatures a try, I discovered that 375 degrees F works best for air frying chicken.
Since the air fryer uses convection heat, you can set the temperature lower than you would for an oven (normally, you’d bake chicken at 425 degrees F in a oven, just like with Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast).
How to Cook Juicy Chicken in the Air Fryer
Here’s my top trick for super juicy chicken breast: brining!
Just a quick 30-minute brine can work wonders for your chicken!
Friendly Reminder!
- Brining is simply adding salt to the meat and letting it chill before you start cooking.
- When you brine your chicken, it soaks up extra liquid and salt, which means that the flavor goes all the way through. This way, your chicken turns out perfectly seasoned, not just tasty on the outside but also inside. Plus, the extra liquid keeps it nice and juicy!
- You have a couple of great options for brining: either a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (simply sprinkling the meat with salt). Personally, I find the dry brine to be a lot less messy and super convenient!
Another key tip for juicy chicken? Just be sure not to overcook the chicken breast! Trust me, it’s important.
If your air fryer chicken breast turned out a bit dry, it’s probably because it was cooked a tad too long.
- Try using an affordable instant-read thermometer to make sure it’s perfectly cooked.
- Chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches 165 degrees F.
- I like to take my chicken out when it reaches around 155 to 160 degrees F. While it rests, the carryover cooking will bring it up to the perfect temperature, ensuring it’s safe and delicious to enjoy!
How Long to Cook Chicken in the Air Fryer
Cooking chicken in an air fryer can take different times depending on how big your chicken breasts are.
- For small chicken breasts (5 to 7 ounces), you’ll want to cook them for about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Got medium-sized chicken breasts weighing between 8 to 10 ounces? You’re looking at about 10 to 12 minutes in the air fryer!
- Big Chicken Breasts (11 ounces or more): Cook for about 12 to 16 minutes.
Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through so it cooks nice and evenly!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken
Excited to create some mouthwatering, tender chicken? Let’s get started!
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Despite the common belief that they’re dry and unexciting, when cooked just right, chicken breasts can really dazzle! These air fryer chicken breasts are not only juicy and delightful, but they’re also chock-full of lean protein and vitamins.
- Olive Oil. Just a splash of olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the chicken breasts and keeps them juicy.
- Seasoning Blend. There are so many ways you can season your chicken breasts, but my go-to mix is paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It’s tasty, versatile, and absolutely delicious!
The Directions
- Gently give the chicken a little pound on a cutting board.
- Sprinkle some salt on your chicken, then pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle!
- Allow the chicken to reach room temperature.
- Mix up those spices with a little stir!
- In a bowl, mix together the chicken, olive oil, and spice blend.
- Pop those chicken breasts into the air fryer with the smooth side facing down, set the temperature to 375 degrees F, and let them cook for a quick 6 minutes.
- Turn the chicken over. Give it another 2 to 8 minutes to cook, then let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. After that, dig in and ENJOY !
Creative Ways to Enjoy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Once you’ve cooked your chicken in the air fryer, here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
- Salad. Jazz up your favorite salad by adding this tasty air fryer chicken. We adore tossing ours into a Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing!
- Pasta delight! Add a protein punch to your veggie pasta by tossing in some chicken. It’s a scrumptious addition to a dish like this Brussels Sprouts Pasta with Brown Butter.
- Whip up a delicious Buffalo Chicken Pizza using your air fryer chicken that will surely wow your taste buds!
- A Stir Fry or Vegetable Lo Mein would be absolutely scrumptious with some air fryer chicken.
- Wraps or Sandwiches. Spice up your meals by using the chicken in a Chicken Caesar Wrap, or layer it into an Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese and Garlic for an extra boost of protein.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Keep those chicken breasts fresh by popping them into an airtight container in the fridge; they’ll stay delicious for up to 4 days!
- To Reheat: Simply warm up your chicken gently in the air fryer or the oven set to 350 degrees F.
- Feel free to pop your leftovers into an airtight freezer-safe container, and they’ll keep just fine for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Fun Ways to Use Leftovers
Dice up that delicious air fryer chicken breast and scatter it over a fresh green salad, like a zesty Spinach Strawberry Salad. You can also cozy it up in a wrap, such as these scrumptious Thai Peanut Wraps, or shred it mix into a delightful Crustless Quiche.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- . The one I own and love! Air Fryer
- . This cutting board won’t slip away from you while you’re prepping ingredients. Non-Slip Cutting Board
- . The #1 way to ensure your meat is cooked through. Instant Read Thermometer
Buh-byeeee bland. Hello, crave-worthy air fryer chicken breast!
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoonkosher salt
- 2 teaspoonsextra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoonpaprika
- ½ teaspoongarlic powder
- ½ teaspoononion powder
- ¼ teaspoonground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound into an even thickness.
- To Dry Brine*: Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle all over with the kosher salt. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day—if you will not be dry brining, skip this step.
- When ready to air fry: remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (if you did not dry brine the chicken, add the salt now)
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top. Toss to coat the chicken, ensuring you rub the spices evenly over both sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (my model takes 3 minutes to heat). Place the chicken presentation side (smooth side) down in the air fryer and let cook 6 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket, then with tongs, carefully flip the chicken over. Continue cooking until the chicken registers between 155 and 160 degrees F, 2 to 8 minutes more. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165 degrees F, but I like to remove mine a few degrees early, then let the carryover cooking finish the job. The total cook time will vary based on your model and the size of your chicken. Smaller breasts (about 6 ounces each) will need only around 8 minutes total; larger ones may need 14 or more. Check the chicken often towards the end to monitor its progress. DO NOT overcook or it will be dry.
- Remove the chicken to a plate. Cover and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 kcal |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
| Sodium | 400mg |
| Protein | 35g |
| Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on the size of chicken breasts and seasoning used.
Notes
- *While dry brining isn’t 100% mandatory (the spices, cooking temperature, and cook times listed in this recipe are still correct for the best air fryer chicken breasts), brining works magic on meat. It improves its texture (it makes it juicy, plump, and meaty, not rubbery) and its flavor, because the meat will taste more seasoned all the way through, not just on the outside. If you have time for brining, I highly recommend it.
- This is the air fryerI used for testing. Total cook time may vary based on your model.
- No air fryer? Make my juicyBaked Chicken Breastinstead.
- 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 degrees 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.