Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
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Posted: 02/21/25
Updated: 10/11/23
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Tender, juicy Chicken Breasts that’s perfectly seasoned! These Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are delicious with a homemade rub. They are great for an easy dinner or meal prep!
Everyone needs a simple and delicious boneless, skinless chicken breast recipe up their sleeve and this is mine for the air fryer! I know you’re going to love this recipe — it’s one of my favorite air fryer recipes.
We love chicken in the air fryer, especially our favorite air fryer chicken legs, and this recipe is so yummy too. It’s easy to make, perfectly seasoned, and goes with so many side dishes. Once you learn how to cook chicken in the air fryer, you’ll want to keep this in your dinner rotation! Don’t have an air fryer? Try my baked chicken breasts!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Breast!
- This recipe is so easy! Like, crazy middle-of-the-week-need-dinner-now easy. A few pantry spices, chicken breasts, and an air fryer are all you need.
- It’s perfect for a quick dinner or make it for meal prep. You can use this chicken in so many ways. Use it to make wraps, add it to salads, serve it with all kinds of side dishes, there are so many possibilities!
- Cooking it in your air fryer gives it a delicious crust, but if you’re looking for crispy chicken that is made with a batter, you should try my air fryer fried chicken.
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
An Air Fryer is similar to a convection oven because they use an element to heat the air and then a fan circulates that hot air to cook the food.
The circulating air gives you that crispy exterior that is very similar to a deep fat fryer without frying food in oil!
The heating element is directly above the food in an air fryer which provides a browning effect for the food.
Do I need to use oil in this Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe?
We recommend using an oil to cover the chicken breast. This helps the seasoning stick the chicken breast and also give you bit of a crisp on the outside with the inside being juicy and tender. It’s still a lot less oil than a deep fryer would use!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – If you use frozen chicken, you will need to thaw them first.
- Olive oil – Vegetable oil, avocado oil and canola oil would also work.
- Seasonings – A blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and onion powder give it all the flavor!
Sometimes I make a big batch of the seasoning mix, so I have it one hand. You can double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe and store the mix in an airtight container in your pantry. The seasoning is great on chicken thighs, wings, chicken legs and more!
Products Needed
How to Make Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
Mix: Place all of the seasonings in a bowl and stir to combine.
Season: Coat the chicken with olive oil and then sprinkle the spice mix in an even layer.
Cook: Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and set the temperature for 360°F. Cook for nine minutes and then flip the chicken over and cook it for nine more minutes.
Rest: Once they are cooked through, transfer them to a plate and let them fest for five minutes before serving.
Enjoy them right away or store them in the refrigerator for three to four days for easy lunches and dinners!
Serving Suggestions
Here are some easy sides that are delicious with this chicken! Or browse all of my Side Dish Recipes for lots of ideas.
- Oven Roasted Potatoes are easy and delicious!
- Serve it with some Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
- Try a pasta salad like Greek Pasta Salad or Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad!
- We love it with a healthy veggie like Asparagus or Broccoli.
You can even use this air fryer chicken recipe for sandwiches, salads, and so much more.
How to Store Leftovers
FRIDGE: Store it in an airtight container and it will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days.
FREEZE: You can also freeze leftover air fryer chicken breasts. Let the chicken cool and then wrap it in plastic wraps and store it in a freezer container. It will keep well for up to three months.
How to Reheat Leftovers
We recommend using the air fryer or oven to reheat your leftovers, but you could also use the microwave.
Rewarm chicken in air fryer or oven at 350 degrees until heated through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you cook raw meat in the air fryer?
I get this question a lot, and the answer is yes! Cooking chicken breast in the air fryer is just one of it’s many uses. Just like this recipe, you can cook any kind of raw meat in your air fryer. Try my easy meatballs, Hawaiian shrimp, and pork chops, too.
Do you have to flip meat in the air fryer?
For the best results, it’s a good idea to flip whatever you are cooking in your air fryer. This ensures that it’s cooked evenly.
How do you know when chicken is done?
The best way to know when chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer and check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat. It should be 165°F. If you don’t have an instant read thermometer, slice into the thickest part and check. It should be cooked through, not pink, and the juices should run clear.
Can I bake this in the oven instead?
You absolutely can! Just prepare the chicken as instructed, place it in a baking dish, and bake it at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes or until it’s cooked through.
Pro Tips For the Best Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Feel free to use whatever kind of seasoning blend you want! While I love just using some basic pantry spices, the great thing about this recipe is that any seasoning blend will work.
- Cut the chicken breasts to where they are all an even thickness. This will ensure they all finish cooking at the same time and are juicy and tender.
- When you air fry chicken, it’s important to grease the air fryer basket well so that the chicken doesn’t stick. Use a non-stick cooking spray, or a little avocado oil or olive oil, to grease the basket.
Check you pantry because I bet you have all the seasonings to make this easy recipe this week! I know you’re going to love it!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Skip the oven and cook those frozen Tater Tots in the air fryer instead! They are so good and always a family favorite.
- You can make a great Grilled Cheese in it, too! Crispy toasted bread and melted cheese are the perfect match.
- Delicious juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers will be a family favorite! Add some Sweet Potato Fries for the perfect side.
- Chicken Parmesan is really easy to make in your air fryer, too!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Tender, juicy Chicken Breasts that are prepared in the Air Fryer with a homemade rub.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 lb
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon finely ground sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder and onion powder.
- Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides. Then evenly season the chicken breasts with seasoning mixture.
- Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer at 360 degrees F 9 minutes, then flip over and cook an additional 9 minutes.
- Remove chicken breasts from the air fryer basket when they have reached an internal temperature 165 degrees F and place on a plate. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
How do you know when chicken is done?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer and check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat. It should be 165°F. Can I bake this in the oven instead?
You can – just prepare it as instructed, place it in a baking dish, and bake it at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes or until it’s cooked through.
The best way is to use a meat thermometer and check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat. It should be 165°F. Can I bake this in the oven instead?
You can – just prepare it as instructed, place it in a baking dish, and bake it at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes or until it’s cooked through.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 163kcal (8%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 24g (48%), Fat: 6g (9%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg (24%), Sodium: 424mg (18%), Potassium: 434mg (12%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 176IU (4%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 8mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Camden says
Our air fryer has been such an awesome investment for the kitchen. I can’t wait to make this air fryer chicken breast and have it with rice or pasta during the week!
Courtney says
One of my favorite appliances as well!
Sharon says
I’m loving this air fryer chicken breast recipe. It is so simple to put together and makes great leftovers.
Courtney says
Thank you!
Debbie says
This air fryer chicken breast recipe is expertly seasoned and so easy to make. It is definitely going on my monthly rotation.
Courtney says
Great for leftovers too!
Cynthia says
Air fryer chicken breast is so easy and tasty. I really like your spice mix! I made a bunch at once so I could keep using it in other recipes too.