If you’re looking for a foolproof way to make juicy, tender chicken breasts, the air fryer is your best friend. This method guarantees flavorful chicken every time—no more dry, bland, or rubbery chicken! With a simple seasoning blend and a quick air-fry session, you’ll enjoy chicken so tasty it’ll become your go-to meal. Whether you’re making a healthy dinner or prepping for the week, this air fryer chicken breast recipe is a game changer
Table of Contents
- Using the Air Fryer for Chicken
- How to Cook Juicy Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Friendly Reminder!
- How Long to Cook Chicken in the Air Fryer
- How to Make Air Fryer Chicken
- The Ingredients
- The Directions
- Creative Ways to Enjoy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Storage Tips
- Fun Ways to Use Leftovers
- Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Notes
- More Healthy Chicken Recipes
Just like my other favorite chicken recipes—whether it’s Baked Chicken Breast, Grilled Chicken Breast, or Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast—this air fryer chicken breast is all about keeping your chicken moist and full of flavor. No matter if you’re looking for something light and healthy or a protein-packed meal, this method will deliver juicy, well-seasoned chicken every time!
Using the Air Fryer for Chicken
Since I got my air fryer, it’s quickly become my favorite kitchen gadget. It’s like a little countertop oven that uses hot air to cook food evenly, giving it a crispy exterior without deep frying. The best part? It’s much faster than using a traditional oven and gives a perfect result with minimal effort.
Whether you’re making crispy Air Fryer French Fries, golden chicken wings, or perfectly juicy chicken breasts, the air fryer makes everything simpler and healthier. It works especially well for lean proteins like chicken breast, which need high heat for quick cooking to avoid drying out. After experimenting with a few different temperatures, I found that cooking chicken at 375°F gives the best results—crispy outside, tender inside!
How to Cook Juicy Chicken in the Air Fryer
The secret to juicy chicken is simple: brining. This step makes all the difference in texture and flavor, ensuring that the chicken stays tender and moist. Brining doesn’t take much time—just 30 minutes in a saltwater solution or a quick dry brine will work wonders!
Friendly Reminder!
Brining helps your chicken absorb moisture and seasoning, so it’s juicy inside and flavorful throughout. I prefer dry brining because it’s quick and mess-free—just sprinkle salt over the chicken and let it rest in the fridge. Not only does brining prevent the chicken from drying out, but it also makes the seasoning permeate deeply into the meat.
Another key tip? Don’t overcook your chicken! Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly. Chicken is done when it hits 165°F, but I prefer to remove it at around 155°F to 160°F, as it will continue cooking from the residual heat.
How Long to Cook Chicken in the Air Fryer
The cooking time for air fryer chicken can vary depending on the size of the breasts. Here’s a quick guide:
- Small Chicken Breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7-10 minutes
- Medium Chicken Breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10-12 minutes
- Large Chicken Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12-16 minutes
Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Always check the temperature with a thermometer, and remember to let the chicken rest after cooking to lock in all the juices.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken
Now that you’re all set to cook, here’s how to make this juicy, tender chicken in your air fryer.
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Lean and versatile, chicken breasts are the star of this recipe. With the right cooking technique, they stay moist and flavorful.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of olive oil helps the seasonings stick and keeps the chicken juicy during cooking.
- Seasoning Blend: My favorite seasoning mix includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It’s simple, flavorful, and works perfectly with the air fryer.
The Directions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by lightly pounding the chicken to an even thickness, ensuring it cooks uniformly.
- Brine the Chicken: Sprinkle salt over the chicken and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Season the Chicken: After brining (or skipping the brine), bring the chicken to room temperature. Toss it with olive oil and your seasoning blend to coat evenly.
- Cook in the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 2-8 minutes, depending on the size of your breasts.
- Rest and Serve: Once the chicken reaches 155°F-160°F, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving
Creative Ways to Enjoy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Once you’ve got your air fryer chicken, there are so many fun ways to enjoy it:
- Salads: Add slices of air fryer chicken to your favorite salad for extra protein. It’s especially great in a spinach and strawberry salad with a tangy balsamic dressing.
- Pasta: Toss some air fryer chicken into your pasta for a protein boost. It’s perfect for dishes like Brussels sprouts pasta or veggie pasta with brown butter.
- Pizza: Make a delicious buffalo chicken pizza with the air fryer chicken. You’ll love the combination of flavors.
- Stir-Fry: Air fryer chicken is fantastic in a stir-fry or vegetable lo mein—add it to any veggie-packed noodle dish!
- Wraps and Sandwiches: Use the chicken in wraps like a chicken Caesar wrap or even an avocado grilled cheese sandwich for a fresh and filling meal.
Storage Tips
- To Store: Keep your cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: To keep the chicken juicy, reheat it in the air fryer or oven at 350°F.
- To Freeze: If you have leftovers, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Fun Ways to Use Leftovers
Leftovers are perfect for quick meals throughout the week! Shred or dice your air fryer chicken and add it to:
- Salads: Top your greens with leftover chicken for a quick lunch.
- Wraps: Roll it into wraps like Thai peanut chicken wraps for a satisfying snack.
- Quiche: Stir it into a crustless quiche for a protein-packed breakfast or brunch.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer: The most essential tool for this recipe. The model I use gives perfect results every time!
- Non-Slip Cutting Board: Keep your workspace tidy and safe while prepping.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: Ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly by checking the internal temperature.
Say goodbye to dry chicken, and say hello to perfectly juicy, flavorful air fryer chicken breast!
Print Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts made effortlessly in the air fryer—ideal for busy weeknights or healthy meal prep.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air fryer chicken breasts, healthy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner
Servings: 2
Calories: 220 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Gently pound to an even thickness.
- For dry brining: Sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (optional).
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Coat the chicken with olive oil and the spice blend.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 155-160°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your juicy, perfectly cooked air fryer chicken breasts!