It’s the chick’n you’ve been missin’: Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
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Seasoned outside and tender inside, this juicy chicken breast defies the (often justified) stereotypes that come along with boneless, skinless chicken breast—namely that it is rubbery, dry, bland, and something to be eaten out of an obligation to be “healthy,” versus actual craving. (No bland chicken with my Spicy Chicken Sandwich either!)
As I shared with my go-to, melt-in-your-mouth tender Baked Chicken Breast, Grilled Chicken Breast, and Baked Bone In Chicken Breast, it doesn’t have to be this way!
With one simple tip, you can transform your chicken breast into a juicy, versatile protein that is ideal for keeping on hand for fast, healthy meals throughout the week.
- This guide will tell you how to make sure your air fryer chicken turns out juicy, not dry.
- You can rub the chicken with any of your favorite herbs and seasonings (I’ve included my go-to blend below).
- This is air fryer chicken with no breading (but if you prefer a crispy breading texture, try Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breast). It’s my favorite to meal prep, because it is so versatile. You can add it hot or cold to salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more.
5 Star Review
“This one has blown my mind. I can not get over how good this chicken is, even sliced up and cold! I’ve made it twice now and each time I should have made more for leftovers.”
— Peggy —
Using the Air Fryer for Chicken
Ever since getting my air fryer a few months ago, I’ve become hooked.
An air fryer is a high-powered, countertop convection oven that blows hot air down and around the food to cook it. It’s more versatile than I expected!
You can use an air fryer to…
- Make healthy versions of fried favorites (Air Fryer French Fries; Air Fryer Chicken Wings; Air Fryer Grilled Cheese).
- Roast extra crispy vegetables in a fraction of the time (Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts).
- Cook juicier proteins (Air Fryer Pork Chops; Air Fryer Tofu; Air Fryer Salmon; today’s air fried chicken breast!).
- View a full list of air fryer recipes here.
Since chicken breast is lean, it benefits from high-temperature baking for a shorter period of time, and the air fryer offers it in spades.
After testing a variety of temperatures, I found that 375 degrees F is the best temperature for air frying chicken.
Because the air fryer uses convection heat, you do not need to set it as high as you would an oven (in a regular oven, 425 degrees F is best for baking chicken, like Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast).
How to Cook Juicy Chicken in the Air Fryer
My #1 secret to juicy chicken breast is brining.
Even just 30 minutes of brining can make a massive difference in your results.
Tip!
- Brining is the process of salting meat and letting it rest prior to cooking.
- During brining, the meat absorbs extra liquid and salt. The salt flavors the meat all the way through, so your chicken tastes completed seasoned, versus seasoned outside and bland inside. The liquid helps keep it moist.
- You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). Personally, I prefer a dry brine because it is less messy.
My other secret to juicy chicken is DO NOT OVERCOOK THE CHICKEN BREAST. I really cannot overstate this.
If your air fryer chicken breast is dry, it is most likely because you overcooked it.
- Use an inexpensive instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.
- Chicken is considered cooked when at 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
- Personally, I remove my chicken around 155 to 160 degrees F. During the resting period, the carryover cooking will bring the chicken to temperature and makes it safe to eat.
How Long to Cook Chicken in the Air Fryer
The amount of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer will vary based on the size of your chicken breasts.
| Breast Size | Total Time at 375°F* |
|---|---|
| Small (5–7 oz) | 7–10 minutes |
| Medium (8–10 oz) | 10–12 minutes |
| Large (11+ oz) | 12–16 minutes |
| *Flip at the halfway point. Cook to 165°F internal temperature, and rest 5 to 10 minutes. | |
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken
Ready to make the melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken? Let’s do it!
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts. Despite their reputation for being dry and boring, chicken breasts can truly shine when prepared correctly. Not only are these air fryer chicken breasts tender and succulent, but they’re also packed with lean protein and vitamins.
- Olive Oil. A little olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken breasts and keeps them moist.
- Seasoning Blend. While there are endless options for how to season your chicken breasts, my favorite mixture is paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It’s flavorful, versatile, and delish!
The Directions
- Pound for even cooking. Lightly pound the chicken on a cutting board. ALTERNATIVE OPTION: Instead of pounding, you can slice each chicken breast horizontally into 2 thin cutlets—note your chicken will finish several minutes earlier (6 to 10 minutes total).
- Brine. Season the chicken with salt, then refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Let the chicken come to room temperature prior to cooking.
- Season. Stir the spice mixture together. In a bowl, combine the chicken, olive oil, and spice mixture.
- Air fry on the first side. Cook the chicken (smooth side down) at 375 degrees F for 6 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over. Cook for 2 to 8 more minutes.
- Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then ENJOY!
Ways to Use Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Once you’ve made your chicken in the air fryer, here are some tasty ways to use it:
- Salad. Top your favorite salad recipe with this air fryer chicken. We love adding ours to Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing.
- Pasta. Pack extra protein into a veggie pasta dish by adding chicken. It would be tasty tossed in this Brussels Sprouts Pasta with Brown Butter.
- Pizza. Use your air fryer chicken to make this scrumptious Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
- Stir Fry. Vegetable Lo Mein would be delicious with some air fryer chicken.
- Sandwiches or Wraps. Use the chicken to make this Chicken Caesar Wrap, or add it to this Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese and Garlic for extra protein.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate chicken breasts in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Leftover Ideas
Dice air fryer chicken breast to serve over your favorite green salads, like this Spinach Strawberry Salad, fold it into a wrap (like these Thai Peanut Wraps), or shred it to fold into a simple Crustless Quiche.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer. The one I own and love!
- Non-Slip Cutting Board. This cutting board won’t slip away from you while you’re prepping ingredients.
- Instant Read Thermometer. The #1 way to ensure your meat is cooked through.
Buh-byeeee bland. Hello, crave-worthy air fryer chicken breast!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Video
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Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Video
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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 a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound into an even thickness.
- To Dry Brine*: Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle all over with the kosher salt. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day—if you will not be dry brining, skip this step.
- When ready to air fry: remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (if you did not dry brine the chicken, add the salt now)
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top. Toss to coat the chicken, ensuring you rub the spices evenly over both sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (my model takes 3 minutes to heat). Place the chicken presentation side (smooth side) down in the air fryer and let cook 6 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket, then with tongs, carefully flip the chicken over. Continue cooking until the chicken registers between 155 and 160 degrees F, 2 to 8 minutes more. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165 degrees F, but I like to remove mine a few degrees early, then let the carryover cooking finish the job. The total cook time will vary based on your model and the size of your chicken. Smaller breasts (about 6 ounces each) will need only around 8 minutes total; larger ones may need 14 or more. Check the chicken often towards the end to monitor its progress. DO NOT overcook or it will be dry.
- Remove the chicken to a plate. Cover and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- *While dry brining isn’t 100% mandatory (the spices, cooking temperature, and cook times listed in this recipe are still correct for the best air fryer chicken breasts), brining works magic on meat. It improves its texture (it makes it juicy, plump, and meaty, not rubbery) and its flavor, because the meat will taste more seasoned all the way through, not just on the outside. If you have time for brining, I highly recommend it.
- This is the air fryer I used for testing. Total cook time may vary based on your model.
- No air fryer? Make my juicy Baked Chicken Breast instead.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken breasts in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
I did a google search for air fryer chicken and Erin’s recipe was at the top of the results.
I gave it a try and made it exactly as the recipe describes. The chicken turned out moist and tender. It was delicious! Erin’s recipe is a keeper.
One thing to keep in mind is how cooking time can affect the results. A change of only 2 minutes at 370 F can make a significant difference with air fryer chicken. With cooking time some experimentation may be required.
So glad to hear it was a hit, Ken! Thank you!
First time using an air fryer, this is what I made. I cannot believe how good this chicken was!! Wow.
So glad to hear, Marcia! Thank you!
First time trying this recipe and I must say I’m very pleased with the results thanks Erin.
So glad to hear, Dinko! Thank you!
Unfortunately my family did not enjoy this. It was edible but I had to add a heap of Greek yoghurt to make it edible.
Oh no! What do you think it was, flavor or doneness?
I’m very impressed with the results, moist and delicious
Great to hear, Carl!
Moist, flavorful, and delicious! Will make it often.
Thank you Janell!
This was such a great recipe, thank you for having times and cooking degrees for different chicken parts, I had tenders and this was perfection, my goodness.. the dry brine spice mix is just what I was looking for, its so well rounded you don’t taste one flavor but it just tastes like roasted goodness, also chicken in Airfryer was not as dry as you’d get it in a skillet and it freed a burner on my stove so that I could do my potatoes and side of charred cheesy peppery broccoli in peace. Thank you for a great recipe, I will be back to make it again and also have to check out your other recipes :)
Thanks so much, kasia!
This was the juiciest, tastiest air fryer chicken breast I’ve ever made.
Thank you for keeping it simple & delicious.
So glad to hear, JC! Thank you!
I have several recipes that call for rotisserie chicken (like from Costco, for example). Would this air-fryer chicken work as a substitute? I would really like to have this as a preference, because I don’t like going to Costco only to find they sold out.
My air-fryer is more of a multi-purpose toaster oven. (It’s an older model Instant Pot brand, if this matters.) Do I need to modify the temperature or time?
Hi Michael, once cooked, I think you could definitely shred it and use it in place of rotisserie chicken. Enjoy!