Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (Perfect Each Time!)

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (Perfect Each Time!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless); 1 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil; 2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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This Air Fryer Chicken Breast is tried-and-true recipe consistently produces delicious and juicy chicken breasts that are moist and tender on the inside and golden and crispy on the exterior!

Overhead view of Air Fryer Chicken Breast on a serving plate.

Why You'll Love Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Since there is no need to preheat the oven, air frying is the most efficient method for cooking tender chicken in less time.
A few simple components for significant outcomes
It's really healthful because deep-frying chicken on the stove requires two cups of oil, whereas air-frying only requires one tablespoon.
My favorite combination for a weeknight: affordable and healthful!
It's an adaptable protein that works well for quick, nutritious, and tasty meals.

Chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.

Ingredients You'll Need

ingredients to make the air fryer chicken breast recipe over a white surface.

Chicken Breasts - I used skinless, boneless chicken breasts. You might need to split your larger chicken breasts in half or cook them for a little longer. You can also use raw chicken breast that has been frozen.
Olive Oil - A small amount of olive oil keeps the chicken breasts moist and helps the seasonings stick to them. A small amount helps the spices stick and prevents the chicken from adhering to the basket. An excellent alternative is avocado oil.
Seasoning - The combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper is my favorite.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Set the air fryer's temperature to 400°F. Cover the chicken breasts with a wide piece of plastic wrap after placing them on a cutting board. Gently pound into a uniform thickness using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm. Using paper towels, pat the chicken breasts dry.
Mix the paprika, chili, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Spread the spice mixture all over your boneless, skinless chicken breasts after drizzling them with oil.

Seasoned chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Place the chicken inside the air fryer after transferring it to the basket. and air fry for 7 minutes on the first side, then turn and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes on the second side, or until an instant read thermometer indicates that the chicken's internal temperature is between 163°F and 165°F.
To prevent the chicken from drying out, take it out of the air fryer as soon as the cooking time is complete. Before serving, let it sit for five minutes. Cut and savor!

Chicken breasts added to air fryer basket.

baked chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.

Expert Tips

To prevent the chicken from sticking, lightly mist the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
The seasonings you apply to the chicken can be tailored to your preferences. Add additional herbs (dill, thyme, and basil are excellent choices). Even ready-mix seasonings, such Cajun or fajita seasoning, can be used.
Before cooking, the chicken can be covered in the refrigerator and seasoned up to one day in advance. Before cooking, let the chicken come to room temperature.
Before slicing into the chicken, give it five minutes to finish cooking and allow the liquids to re-distribute, keeping it moist and tender rather than dry.
Avoid overcooking your chicken! Make sure the meat thermometer is inserted correctly before using it to examine the chicken. The chicken will continue to cook while it rests, so remove it as soon as it reaches between 163°F and 165°F.

How Long Should You Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?

The size of your chicken breasts will determine how long it takes to cook them in an air fryer. Thus, I advise monitoring the interior temperature of your bird. The chicken breast in the air fryer should be golden and crispy after 12 to 15 minutes of cooking, from the time you put it in until you take it out. While tiny breasts should be cooked in ten minutes, large breasts will take more time. When an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 73ºC/165ºF, the chicken breast is cooked. When cooked to perfection, the meat will be opaque white throughout yet still soft and moist.

Storing leftovers

To Store: In the refrigerator A batch of chicken can be prepared and kept for up to three days. Cut into pieces for salads, sandwiches, or other recipes.

To Freeze: I suggest a freezer bag with the majority of the air spaces removed for freezing. These vacuum sealers are fantastic. Therefore, if you have one, don't hesitate to use it. To be honest, it also works well to simply pat the bag flat with your hand to eliminate the most of the air pockets before sealing.

To Reheat: Reheat the chicken gently for three minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven or air fryer.

How To Serve

There are so many ways to use this bird! To prepare a meal, add it to sandwiches or top green salads. Here are a few delicious uses for it:

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to flip chicken in the air fryer?

Halfway through the air fryer, turn your chicken for optimal results. This guarantees uniform cooking. But it won't matter if you forget. You can simply have some overdone portions.

How many chicken breasts can I cook at once?

The size of your air fryer will determine this. Cook as many slices as you can fit in a single layer, but be careful not to pack them too tightly.

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

No, I wouldn't suggest using frozen chicken breasts in this dish. Use fresh or completely thawed chicken breasts for optimal results.

If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Breast or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!

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