This quick and healthy Air Fryer Chicken Breast is done in 20 minutes! The chicken is juicy, tender, and flavorful. It's a delicious main dish, but also perfect for meal prep, lunches, salads, and sandwiches!
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Why This Recipe Works
Forget the dry and rubbery chicken! The air fryer is changing the game and lets us cook chicken breast in minutes. The result: juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken! You will find yourself making it over and over because it's quick, easy, and always delicious. While I love my grilled chicken recipe or the breaded chicken cutlets, this air fryer chicken breast is officially in the folder of my go-to for simple and quick meals.
This recipe calls for chicken, oil, and seasoning. That's it! Simple ingredients but delicious result! Thanks to the air fryer, it's done in minutes and saves you space in the oven.
This recipe is great for low-carb diets.
Ingredients:
- chicken breast: boneless, skinless pieces that are roughly the same size;
- olive oil: keeps the chicken juicy and helps the seasoning stick to it;
- seasoning: garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Drizzle oil over chicken breast, on both sides.
- Season chicken evenly on each side.
- Place chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes. Flip and cook for 6 to 8 minutes more. Check the internal temperature.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
How long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?
The air-frying time for this dish depends on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Here is a guide for cooking times:
- small (5 to 7 ounces): 10 minutes total (flipped halfway),
- medium (8 to 10 ounces): 14 minutes total (flipped halfway),
- large (11 and more): 18 to 20 minutes total (flipped halfway).
I highly recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of cooked chicken. It should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep in mind that every appliance is different. Some have double heating elements that will cook the dish faster. You should be familiar with your appliance.
What to serve with air-fried chicken breast?
Any vegetable side dishes go well with chicken breast. As you can see in the photo, I served it with steamed green beans and toasted bread crumbs, and lemon slices.
Here are more of my favorites:
Expert Tips!
- Let your chicken come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pound the chicken with a meat mallet so the pieces are evenly thick. If the chicken is very thick, consider slicing them into cutlets lengthwise.
- Don't crowd the air fryer! Make sure the chicken breasts have space between each other so the air can circulate properly.
- Let the cooked chicken rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and not escape as soon as you cut it.
- Always check cooked meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked through. The chicken breast should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to use air-fried chicken breast?
Aside from serving it as the main dish along with veggie sides, you can use this recipe for meal prep or as an add-on to a main dish. Here are some examples:
- serve as a protein topping on a healthy salad,
- serve with pasta and creamy sauce,
- use to make chicken salad,
- serve in wraps and sandwiches.
Recipe FAQs:
You will know if your chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Always check the meat with a thermometer, by inserting it into the thickest part of the chicken.
I do not recommend using frozen chicken in the air fryer. Just like you wouldn't bake frozen chicken in the oven, you should not cook it in the air fryer.
Any meat leftovers should be stored in the fridge, for up to 4 days.
To reheat the chicken, place it in the air fryer set to 350 degrees F and timer to 4 minutes. Check if it's heated through and place it back in the air fryer for 2 more minutes if needed.
Of course! Once cooked, cool the chicken completely, then divide it into portions and freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
Olive oil helps the spices stick to the chicken but also ensures the chicken stays juicy.
More air fryer recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390° Fahrenheit, for 3 minutes.
- Pound the chicken breast with a mallet to ensure they are evenly thick.
- Drizzle oil over chicken breast, on both sides.
- Season chicken evenly on each side and rub it in.
- Place chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes. Flip and cook for 6 to 8 minutes more. Check the internal temperature with meat thermometer. It should be at least 165° Fahrenheit.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
- Keep in mind that every appliance is different. Some have double heating elements that will cook the dish faster. You should be familiar with your appliance.
- Let your chicken come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Make sure the chicken breasts have space between each other so the air can circulate properly.
Sharina says
This chicken breast recipe was incredibly delicious! It was a hit. So flavorful and pleasing. Thanks for this enjoyable recipe Anna!
Anna says
I am so glad it was a success! Thank you for giving it a try, Sharina!
Mia R says
I will never bake my chicken in the oven again. It came out so tender and juicy!
Anna says
I love that! Thank you, Mia!
Olivia says
This is now my favorite way to make chicken! It turned out perfect and was so easy to make!
Anna says
Yay! That's wonderful! Thank you, Olivia!