Air Fryer Chicken Breast
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Air fryer chicken breast is a juicy and flavorful protein, and it cooks up so quickly! I place seasoned chicken breast in the air fryer and with hardly any effort, it transforms into a juicy and tender chicken dinner that my family loves!
At my house, busy weeknights call for one thing — quick meals that don’t require a whole lot of effort. Air fryer recipes are my go-to for this exact reason.
Whether it’s homemade air fryer chicken nuggets or air fryer turkey meatballs, I can always count on a meal that’s ready in less time, but with no lack of delicious flavor. It takes the stress out of preparing dinner, meaning I can just enjoy the time with my family!
This is one of my favorite chicken dinners because once it’s in the air fryer, I don’t have to give it a second thought.
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Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
Your family will love the homemade seasoning blend sprinkled on this chicken! The mix is simple to throw together and it brings tons of flavor to the grilled chicken breast.
Plus, it tastes great with a variety of side dishes, like parmesan broccoli or crispy ranch potatoes.
The best part is how versatile it is! You can serve it as a main protein for dinner with veggies or slice it for a chicken Caesar salad for lunch.
It’s great for meal prep too, since the chicken stores and reheats really well.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made this countless times, so I can save you from a failed attempt.
- Depending on your air fryer model, the cook time can vary. Pay close attention to the chicken to make sure it doesn’t overcook!
- To ensure each chicken breast finishes cooking around the same time, pound or slice them to an even thickness.
- Use an instant read thermometer to quickly and accurately check that your air fryer chicken is ready! The internal temperature should read 165°F.
Ingredients
You’ll want to add these ingredients to your grocery shopping list:
You can use boneless skinless chicken breast, thighs, or chicken tenderloins for this air fryer recipe. Just keep in mind that different cuts of meat will change the cooking time.
Olive oil helps the seasonings stick the sides of the chicken, so don’t skip it! You can use avocado oil or another neutral flavored oil if you’d like.
For extra flavor, you can add any additional seasonings that you want. Onion powder, chili powder, red pepper, and other spices would all be tasty.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Follow these step-by-step instructions and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time:
For the full instructions, see the recipe card! ⬇️
Jump to RecipeBefore you start you will need to preheat your air fryer. If your air fryer doesn’t have a pre-heat function, just turn it on for a few minutes.
- To begin, pat the chicken dry and drizzle both sides with olive oil. Then mix together all of the seasonings in a small bowl and rub it onto both sides of the breasts.
- Grease your air fryer basket with olive oil spray and then place the seasoned breasts inside. Cook until the internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for a bit to reabsorb its juices. Then slice it how you like and enjoy!
Make it kid friendly: Chicken is always a comforting favorite, meaning it’s great to introduce a new vegetable like broccoli as a side dish. Try adding a dipping sauce that your kids love to encourage them to try it!
Air Fryer Chicken Recipe FAQs
Yes! It is perfectly safe to put raw chicken in the air fryer. Properly prepared, the air fryer is an easy way to make delicious, juicy and flavorful chicken.
For this recipe, it is not necessary to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process. As long as it is in one single layer across the bottom of the air fryer basket, the hot air will circulate around the chicken to cook it evenly.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftovers, once cooled, in an airtight container or freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.
If you have leftover chicken that's unsliced, just pop it back in the air fryer to crisp up until it's heated all the way through. If you have leftover slices, I recommend covering it with a damp paper towel and microwaving it in short 20-30 second bursts until it's heated through.
Serving Ideas
Honey roasted carrots are one of my favorite veggies to serve with this air fryer chicken recipe! A cozy green bean and bacon casserole would also be tasty for a family gathering.
A salad with homemade Caesar salad dressing is so good as a side dish for air fryer chicken. My kids love dipping grilled chicken into barbecue sauce, ranch dressing or honey mustard.
After you make this recipe, please give it a star rating below and comment to let me know how it went!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Cutting Board
Video
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breast about ½” thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
- (Optional) If your chicken breasts are thicker than ½”, either pound them or butterfly them so they are an even thickness. This is optional but it will help the chicken breast cook more quickly and more evenly.
- Pat the 2 boneless skinless chicken breast dry with a paper towel and drizzle them on both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- In a small bowl, stir together the seasonings (1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon paprika). Sprinkle the spice rub over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Carefully grease your air fryer basket with olive oil spray and place the chicken in the air fryer.
- Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. For this recipe, there is no need to flip the chicken while cooking.
- Allow the chicken to rest in the air fryer for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
2026 Update: This recipe is still a favorite of ours! It's been updated to simplify the cooking instructions and include extra cooking tips. We hope you love it as much as we do!
