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; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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This tried-and-true Air Fryer Chicken Breast 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 ingredients for big, bold flavor
It's really healthy 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.
Perfect for meal prep: it's so versatile that you can add it hot or cold to salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more.

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. If your chicken was frozen, make sure it's completely thawed first.
Olive Oil - A small amount of olive oil keeps the chicken breasts moist, helps the seasonings stick, and stops the chicken from sticking 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.

Seasoned chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Spread the spice mixture all over your boneless, skinless chicken breasts after drizzling them with oil.

Chicken breasts added to air fryer basket.

baked chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.

Place the chicken in the air fryer 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!

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 as 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.

Try dry brining: Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle all over with kosher salt, then refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. Brining improves the texture, making it juicy, plump, and meaty rather than rubbery, and deepens the flavor so the meat tastes seasoned all the way through, not just on the outside.
Slice thin for faster cooking: Thinly slice the chicken breasts into thinner, smaller flat pieces for more even cooking, more juicy chicken, and more flavor coating surface area.

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 internal temperature of your chicken. 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: A batch of chicken can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator 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 remove most of the air before sealing. Frozen chicken keeps for up to 3 months; thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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:

Louisiana Voodoo Fries Recipe (Wingstop Copycat!)
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
Best American Potato Salad Recipe
Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Wedges
The Best Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Copycat Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla (10 Minutes!)
Add vegetables to the basket: You can add vegetables like zucchini, brussels sprouts, red peppers, broccoli and asparagus, add them to the air fryer basket at the halfway point.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to flip chicken in the air fryer?

Halfway through the cooking time, flip your chicken for optimal results. This guarantees uniform cooking. But it won't matter if you forget. That said, flipping does help ensure even browning on both sides.

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.

Why is my air fryer chicken breast tough?

Overcooking is most often the cause of tough chicken in the air fryer. Take it out as soon as it reaches 163°F to 165°F, then let it rest for five minutes under a foil tent.

Should I brine my chicken before air frying?

A brine can produce more juicy chicken if you have the time. But it's certainly not required! This recipe turns up really juicy and tasty after being covered with a dry rub!

Can I use aluminum foil in the air fryer when cooking chicken?

Yes - if you do add aluminum foil, make sure the food is placed on the foil before heating the air fryer, to prevent the foil from blowing into the heating element, and leave enough space for air to still circulate.

Can I use chicken tenderloins instead of chicken breasts?

Yes! Use about the same weight of tenderloins and follow the same method, but start checking the temperature a few minutes earlier, since they cook faster.

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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