Name: Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon paprika

JUICY Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Prep Time 5

Total Time 17

Servings 2 servings

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Published on January 14, 2021 / Last updated on February 2, 2023

This Air Fryer Chicken Breast is perfectly seasoned and incredibly juicy! It is golden and crispy on the outside and SO flavorful!

overhead image of two air fryer chicken breasts in air fryer basket.

I admit, I haven’t used my air fryer a lot this last year but it’s time to change that, because this Air Fryer Chicken Breast is outstanding.

It might even be our favorite way to cook chicken breasts now, because it is the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!

I started with a simple seasoning based on this Slow Cooker Chicken Breast and these Pan Fried Chicken Breasts — when you’ve got a good thing going, why change it?!

Another thing I love about these air fryer chicken breasts is that I don’t have to worry about them burning, or sticking, or overcooking like I do when I’m cooking them in a skillet.

They turn out perfectly every time, and are almost completely hands off (other than a couple minutes prep!).

Love a crispy coating? You might want to try these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or Air Fryer Fried Chicken!

two chicken breasts in air fryer basket.

Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your air fryer chicken turns out just the way you want it!

How long do I cook chicken breast in the air fryer?

Well, it depends!

It depends on your air fryer temperature and how thick your chicken breasts are.

I like to cook my chicken breasts for a shorter time at a higher temperature, so I opt for 400 degrees F for a cook time of 10-15 minutes.

The exact cook time is hard to tell, and will depend on the size and shape of your chicken breast.

For better results, you can use a heavy rolling pin or flat meat mallet to flatten any thicker parts of your chicken breasts so that they cook more evenly — although I don’t usually go through this extra step.

Is air fryer chicken healthy?

Air fryer Chicken Breasts aren’t really any healthier than chicken breasts that are cooked with the same ingredients on the stove top, in the oven, or in the slow cooker.

The air fryer is a healthier method than deep frying food, so this air fryer chicken breast is healthier than deep fried chicken, but that’s not really an equal comparison.

That being said, chicken breasts are still a lean protein option, and we love cooking them in the air fryer because they are the juiciest we’ve ever had! (Check out this photo taken right after I sliced them!)

two slices of juice air fryer chicken breast on white board.

Variations and Substitutions for this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe:

Swap breasts for thighs: you can swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the chicken breasts in the recipe and you won’t need to change the recipe much — I would set your air fryer timer for 8 minutes and then check for doneness with a meat thermometer, as they are usually smaller than chicken breasts.
Swap the seasoning: have a go-to blend of spices you love? It will work perfectly here! Think garlic herb, cajun, barbecue, taco, Greek — any dry blend can be substituted. Just sprinkle on both sides evenly before cooking.

plate with one whole chicken breast and one sliced chicken breast.

What to serve with this air fryer chicken breast:

This chicken breast is a versatile protein that goes with so many things!

Slice it to top a Caesar salad, stir it into your favorite pasta, or serve with some of our favorite sides:

Lyonnaise Potatoes — with caramelized onions!
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Mac and Cheese — made in one pot!
Roasted Potatoes and Carrots — a reader favorite!

Leftover chicken breast? Use it in these recipes!

Stir some into this Veggie Lo Mein
Use it in this Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Swap your leftover chicken for the ham in this Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes recipe

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Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees according to manufacturer's instructions if your air fryer requires preheating (I simply turn mine to 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes while I prepare the chicken)
Pat chicken dry and rub with canola oil.
In a small bowl, combine salt, parsley, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Sprinkle over both sides of the chicken.
Lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with non stick spray and place the chicken breasts in the bottom.
Place the basket inside the air fryer and set the cook time for 12 minutes (a couple minutes more or less depending on the size of your chicken breasts — keeping in mind you can always easily add more time but you can't take it away).
At the end of the cook time, check the internet temperature of the thickest part of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165 degrees F. If it has not, return it to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Information

Keywords air fryer chicken breast

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