It’s the chick’n you’ve been missin’: Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
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.
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.
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 mostly likely because you overcooked it.
- Use an inexpensive instant read thermometer to check for doneness.
- Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees F.
- I typically remove my chicken around 155 to 160 degrees F. During the resting period, the carryover cooking will bring the chicken to temperature and make 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.
- Small Breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes
- Medium Breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes
- Large Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes
You do need to flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly.
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
- Lightly pound the chicken on a cutting board.
- Season the chicken with salt, then refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
- Let the chicken come to room temperature.
- Stir the spice mixture together.
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, olive oil, and spice mixture.
- 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.
The Best Air Fryer
This larger size is great for cooking batches of crispy French fries, chicken, salmon, veggies, and more!
Buh-byeeee bland. Hello, crave-worthy air fryer chicken breast!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Video
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Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon 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.
Nutrition
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This was my first attempt at chicken in my new air fryer and it did not disappoint. I know it says not to overcook but I went in knowing I will have to play with the time. I prefer my chicken cooked really well but don’t want to dry it out. I opened the package of chicken to find an extra large and really small breast so I cut into strips after beating down so they would all be the same size or at least close to. I set the air fryer to 16 minutes. Next go round I will try 13. Thank you for the yummy, healthy, easy recipe!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Christa! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was delicious. My husband and I had the chicken, different veggies. We will definitely have this again. The chicken was so moist and tender. 5 stars
Oh, BTW I’m new to Air Friers.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Paula! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
So good! Easy, healthy and delicious!
Hi Stacy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Chicken was moist. I added bread crumbs to the mix. My air fryer did not go to 375. It was either 370 or 380…ugh. I cooked it on 370 just took longer on 2nd side. Will definitely use this again
Hi Marie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and thanks for the feedback!
I made your seasoning recipe last time I made these and it was amazing. Tonight I used a mango seasoning for chicken and it is the bomb!!!
Going to slice up and add to spring mix salad for dinner tonight
Hi Jan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Has anyone used this recipe with the liners to make it easy for cleanup? Does it effect the texture at all?
Hi Carolyn, I haven’t tried this with liners before, but one tip would be to flip your chicken a few times. Hope you enjoy it!
Followed the recipe exact. It was delicious! Do you have any other dry rub recipes? Just thought I’d ask since this one was so good.
Hi Von! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! Here are a few different recipes that include a dry rub: https://www.wellplated.com/grilled-pork-chops/ https://www.wellplated.com/air-fryer-pork-chops/ https://www.wellplated.com/baked-pork-tenderloin/
When I tasted how juicy and delicious this chicken was I almost wanted to cry. Why didn’t I find out about this year’s ago?!? 30 minutes of brine time ( mind bogglingly easy to make such a huge difference!), followed the recipe and directions for cooking in my air fryer and it was the most delicious thing I’ve eaten in ages!
Hi Paulette! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Simple, fast, juicy, and delicious .
Hi Becky! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I used smoked paprika the second time I made this and won’t switch back. It was great. Just monitor it for the smoke taste you’ll like. Thanks for the recipe, never knew about dry brining. What a difference.
Hi Phil! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on the smoked paprika!
This has become my go-to air fryer recipe for chicken breasts. Great spice mix & reliable results every time! I love to shred the breasts up, give them a rough chop, and use them in chicken salad 😊 Thanks again for this recipe.
Hi Amy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Erin,
I haven’t made your chicken recipe yet, but would like to tonight. My husband just surprised me with a large Air Fryer oven for my birthday. I used the type with the pull out compartment before, but it didn’t have enough room to cook a meal for my whole family. My question is: My new Air Fryer oven has different types of racks to use. Should I use the basket one or the sold one that’s like a sheet pan?
Thanks, Cheri
Hi Cheri, you can use either a basket or a tray. If using a tray you might have to rotate the wings some. Hope you enjoy them!
I always struggle to make delicious, moist skinless chicken breast. This recipe was foolproof and outstanding. I tried the dry brine, and checked temperature as suggested. The result was moist and very tasty. 5 stars!
Hi Ian! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The breast was juicy and delicious. Would make again trying different spices. Outstanding!
Hi Lena! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hello, I want to try this recipe :) You told someone in one of the comments that there is a section or link in the blog that says how long to cook different sizes of chicken breasts in the air fryer but I can’t find that section. Can you reply with a link to it? I have searched and searched and can’t even begin to figure out where it would be. Thank you so much.
Never mind, I’m so sorry, I found those instructions for cooking different sizes of chicken in the air fryer – it’s on this actual page (which is what you meant by “in the blog” – I was looking around all over your website – my bad! Thanks so much!
Glad you found it Jennifer!
This was the best chicken breast I have ever eaten. So tender, moist and delicious!
Hi Sherry! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Juicy and tender. Held the flavor in.
Hi Tana! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I made this tonight and it was amazing. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Jennifer! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Ruined 4 chicken breast that tasted terrible
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Shawnna. Could you be more specific in what went wrong?