Air fryer chicken breast is crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and packed with so much flavor in every bite. It's our go-to meal when we need to make a last minute dinner on busy weeknights, and one that the whole family, including the kids, will love. It's incredibly quick and easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients in under 45 minutes. All you need to do is marinate, pop into the air fryer, and let it do the magic. But feel free to take all of the credit! Serve it with a side of potatoes, vegetables, or pasta.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- It’s so easy to make. Cooking dinner can be a hassle, but this air fryer chicken breast recipe makes dinner an easy, delicious, and enjoyable experience. This recipe makes a great last-minute meal because it only takes 5 minutes to pre, 15 minutes to marinate, and 25 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Want a pro tip? Marinate your chicken in the morning, so dinner is even faster at night!
- It’s tender and juicy inside. No one likes dry chicken. When you make chicken breast in the air fryer, you can feel confident that your chicken will be perfectly cooked with an even juiciness throughout. Make sure you let your chicken rest, or else all those yummy juices will spill out!
- The outside is crisp and delicious. It’s no secret that air fryers are some sort of magical appliance. You’ll love the well cooked, seasoned, and crispy exterior as much as you'll love the juicy and tender insides of this chicken.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- chicken breast - I use skinless and boneless chicken breasts in this recipe. You could use bone-in chicken breast but the cook time will have to be increased by 5 minutes to 27-30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- oil - any vegetable oil will work. Try avocado oil or olive oil.
- salt and pepper
- Italian seasoning
- paprika
- garlic powder
You can play around with the seasoning that you use to easily customize and switch up the flavor profile of this chicken. Try a tex mex blend for Mexican style chicken, try za'aatar for a Middle Eastern flair, or try curry powder for an Indian flavor.
How to Make the Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Marinate the chicken. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken breasts completely dry. Generously smear oil evenly all over the chicken. Rub in all the seasoning, including salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder, and coat the chicken evenly. You can also combine the chicken with seasoning in a large Ziploc bag and shake well to coat. Set aside for at least 15 minutes to marinate, or refrigerate overnight.
- Air fry. Place the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 375 F for 22-25 minutes until fully cooked through and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165F. You can check the internal temperature by sticking a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast.
- Rest. Let rest for 5-10 minutes in the air fryer before serving.
How to Serve Chicken Breast
Air fryer chicken breasts pair well with almost any sides including vegetable sides, pasta, rice, and salad. Here are some of my favorite suggestions:
- 25 Best Side Dishes for Chicken
- One Pan Roasted Harvest Vegetables
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Plus, if you end up with leftovers, you can reheat them and enjoy or use it in one of our favorite 25 Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes for a completely new meal.
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- How to freeze: Air fryer chicken breasts can last up to three months in the freezer. Be sure to let them cool first and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. If any air touches the chicken, it will get freezer burnt. For an added layer of protection, I like to store my wrapped cooked chicken in freezer bags or in an airtight container.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- 25 Best Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- The Best Breaded Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Easy Air Fryer Lamb Chops
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Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 chicken breasts
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Air fryer chicken breast is crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor in every bite. A quick and easy dinner on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless (about 1.5 pounds)
- ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Use a paper towel to pat the chicken breasts completely dry. Generously smear oil evenly all over the chicken. Rub in all the seasoning, including salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder, and coat the chicken evenly. You can also combine the chicken with seasoning in a large Ziploc bag and shake well to coat. Set aside for at least 15 minutes to marinate, or refrigerate overnight.
- Place the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 375 F for 22-25 minutes until fully cooked through and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165F. You can check the internal temperature by sticking a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes in the air fryer before serving.
Notes
How to store: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
How to freeze: Air fryer chicken breasts can last up to three months in the freezer. Be sure to let them cool first and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. If any air touches the chicken, it will get freezer burnt. For an added layer of protection, I like to store my wrapped cooked chicken in freezer bags or in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Marinate Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
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