Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are the easiest dinner ever and are ready in under 20 minutes including prep!
The air fryer makes chicken breasts incredibly tender and juicy with just a couple of minutes of prep and a few seasonings.
This will definitely be a go-to recipe on busy nights! A nice golden crust and perfectly juicy, they’re great on their own or sliced over a salad!
Why You’ll Love Cooking Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer
- I air fry pretty much everything because it’s quick and easy (I have a 5.8QT Cosori Air Fryer).
- This needs just a couple of minutes of prep.
- It takes only a handful of ingredients. Use the seasonings below, your favorite chicken seasoning, or really any seasoning mix.
- The results are incredibly juicy every single time. Hands down one of our favorite 20-minute meals.
- It’s great to make ahead for meal prep.
Use this air fryer chicken breast recipe in all kinds of meal prep favorites like chicken burrito bowls or chicken salad. Slice it for sandwiches, serve it over caesar salad. Endless possibilities.
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts can range in size from 5oz to 10oz. This recipe is for boneless skinless chicken breasts sized 6-7oz. (We use this recipe for air fryer chicken thighs). Four 6oz chicken breasts will weigh about 1 1/2 lbs.
Seasonings are simple. Olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper are all that’s needed. I prefer kosher salt for this recipe.
Seasoning Variations
Swap the seasonings and try Homemade Taco Seasoning, your favorite spice mixtures, or seasoning blends in your cupboard like lemon pepper or Greek seasoning.
These come out so juicy they’re even great with just salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning.
Marinade or Brine?
A brine is great for lean meats like pork chops. While many recipes use brines, we use our air fryer for last minute quick and easy meals. So we say no brine is required!
As long as you don’t overcook it, you can make extra juicy chicken breasts in the air fryer without brining.
Marinating is also not necessary but if you’d like to use a chicken marinade you certainly can for some extra flavor. Once you remove the chicken from the marinade (if it’s a wet marinade), ensure to remove any excess to allow the chicken to crisp on the outside a bit in the air fryer.
How to Air Fry Chicken Breasts
Just like baked or grilled chicken breasts, you’ll want to add this to your collection of healthy chicken breast recipes!
- Rub chicken breasts with a little olive oil and seasoning (per the recipe below).
- Place in the air fryer basket ensuring there is space around each chicken breast.
- Cook 16-19 minutes flipping after 10 minutes.
Rest a few minutes before cutting.
How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer
Note: this is for 6-7 oz chicken breasts. Chicken breasts can range in size from 5oz to 10oz. Adjust cook time as needed.
- Cook chicken breasts for about 10 minutes.
- Turn them over and cook another 6-9 minutes.
- Use an instant read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
NOTE: Be sure to check the temperature of the chicken a few minutes early to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Appliances can vary.
Tips for Success
- A few swipes of BBQ sauce will add a great flavor and sticky exterior.
- Check for doneness a few minutes before cooking should be done by inserting a meat thermometer in the thickest part. Chicken should reach 165°F.
- Let the chicken breasts rest 5 minutes before serving.
- When seasoning chicken breasts, pat the seasoning into it all over, firmly coating the chicken with the seasonings.
- Do not overcook.
More Great Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Hoisin Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken – a personal favorite
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts 6-7 oz each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning Mix (or use your favorite seasoning blend)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F. Combine the seasoning mix.
- Rub chicken breasts with olive oil. Season with the mix or your favorite seasoning blend.
- Place chicken breasts in the air fryer (ensuring they don't overlap) and cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip chicken over and cook an additional 6-9 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F. Do not overcook.
- Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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I always dreaded fixing chicken breasts because they are always so dry & flavorless. That was until I received an air fryer for Christmas & then found this recipe!! I have made these 3-4 times & they are absolutely fantastic!!! This is now one of our favorite “go to” meals!!! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes!!!
Yay! That is awesome, Darla. So happy to hear that.
I made this but did pickle brine for about an hr then with 1 breast lemon pepper rubbed in with very little olive oil and the other 2, I rubbed a half cap of liquid smoke
then McCormicks Chipotle roasted garlic added a little non smoked paprika rubbed all this in a little olive oil and they could not have turned out any better. Thank you love your recipes.
Oh my! That sounds absolutely delicious Sharon! Thanks for sharing!!
I followed this recipe but I used Caribbean jerk seasoning instead and OMG this was the best chicken I ever had. Super moist and delicious.
Simply Delicious!
These were the most juicy chicken breasts I have ever made!!! I received an air fryer for Christmas & this recipe by far if my favorite. They were moist, juicy & flavorful.
I love all of your recipes!! You’re site is my #1 choice when I need a recipe!! Thank you!
Thank YOU Darla! I love my air fryer so much!
Crock Pot pork chops with gravy…
The best food i have ever eaten!! The flavor was heavenly…the chops were done to perfection. I could have drank the gravy it was sooo delicious! I will only cook chops like this from now on. Thank you for the recipe.
So glad you loved this recipe Helen!
Cook at what temp???????
We cooked the chicken at 370°F for 16-19 minutes.
I always do as my grandma did 50 years ago?? I use one of my Corning wear bowls with glass cover. Once I have prepared my livers I place them on a paper towel and place the lid back. It will add an additional punch to a already great meal.
I just made this for dinner tonight i didnt make the chicken seasoning but i used salt, pepper, garlic powder. Seasoning salt and paprika. They all turned out so delicious and i will most definitely be making it again. Thank you for the recipe!!
You’re very welcome!
Holly, have you had success with making chicken breasts from frozen in the air fryer? How would you adjust the time & temp?
I have not tried them as of yet but I love that idea! I’ll let you know when I try it.
LOVE!! Great detailed instructions. Just got the Cosori air fryer for Christmas. I thought everything had to be battered or coated, so I was thrilled to find your recipe!
Sounds like you are going to have some funny frying Susan!! Enjoy your air fryer, we love ours!
I made the chicken breasts in my new air fryer. I marinaded 2 chicken breasts in Italian dressing over night then the next night I did baked first then threw in the marinaded chicken and follows all the instructions and it turned out awesome, threw in a vegetable and my husband and I had a great meal. I highly recommend this you’ll love it!!
A simple and easy to make air fryer chicken recipe i have ever tried so far. Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us.