This Air Fryer chicken breast recipe is ready in 20 minutes.

Chicken breasts are brushed with olive oil, perfectly seasoned, and air-fried until juicy and flavorful.

Serve them as is or use them to add to casseroles or wraps.

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts on a plate with rice and beans

You’ll Be Obsessed With Air Fryer Chicken Breast Because…

  • It uses only a handful of ingredients.
  • This recipe is so fast to prepare— about 20 minutes from start to finish.
  • It’s versatile—use the seasonings below, your favorite chicken seasoning, or any seasoning mix.
  • The results are incredibly juicy and super tender every single time.
Ingredients for air fryer chicken breast

Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts can weigh 5 to 10 ounces. This recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts weighing 6 to 7 ounces each. Four 6-ounce chicken breasts will weigh about 1½ pounds.

Oil helps keep the chicken moist on the outside and helps the seasonings to stick.

Seasonings in this recipe are simple—garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper are the only spices you need.

Seasoning Variations

Add other seasonings to the blend in the recipe, or swap the seasonings for your favorite spice mixture. Try:

How to Air Fry Chicken Breasts

These are a go-to in my kitchen because they cook faster than oven baked chicken breasts and are always juicy. This recipe is for 6-7 ounce chicken breasts, which can range in size from 5oz to 10oz. Adjust cooking time as needed.

  1. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle seasoning (recipe below).
  2. Place in the air fryer basket, allowing space around each chicken breast.
  3. Cook for 16-19 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes.

Serve air fryer chicken breasts on their own or slice them for sandwiches, salad, pasta, or use them in meal prep.

NOTE:  Appliances can vary – check the chicken a few minutes early to ensure they don’t overcook.

4 air fryer chicken breasts on a plate with green beans in the background

Tips for Juicy Chicken

  • 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 but will continue to cook once removed from the air fryer, so remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 162°F.
  • Let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.

cut air fryer chicken breast with rice and green beans on a plate

Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts? Leave a rating and a comment below.

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4 air fryer chicken breasts on a plate with green beans in the background
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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are perfectly seasoned, tender & juicy!
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 6-7 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Seasoning Mix (or use your favorite seasoning blend)

  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
  • In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and then rub it with olive oil. Season with the seasoning mix or your own preferred blend.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer, ensuring that they don't overlap.
  • Cook chicken for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 6-9 minutes or until the internal temperature chicken reaches 165°F. Be sure not to overcook.
  • Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Video

Notes

For best results, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F. For juicy chicken breast, do not overcook.
Cook time can vary slightly based on the size/shape of chicken; the cooking times are for 6-7 oz chicken breasts. Chicken breasts can range in size from 5oz to 10oz, and appliances can vary. Adjust cook time as needed.
Other seasoning options include garlic powder, onion powder, and/or Italian seasoning, Greek seasoning blend, cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper.
If your chicken breasts fit in your basket without overlapping, you can use 4 chicken breasts. If they’re extra large, cook them in batches or just use 3 chicken breasts (seasoning will remain the same). Larger chicken breasts will need an extra minute or two of cooking time.
5 from 259 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 174 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Air Fryer, Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
sliced Air Fryer Chicken Breasts with a title
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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts in the fryer and plated with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. These chicken breasts were so flavourful and moist! Followed the recipe, re:weight of breasts, cooking times, and used my meat thermometer. Definitely a keeper! YUM!5 stars

  2. I love using my Air Fryer. The problem I run in to is proportions for a single person. For example this recipe calls for 4 chicken breasts. How would I adjust it for 1 chicken breast?
    Any suggestions?

    1. The cooking time will remain the same. On the “PRINT” page on any recipe you can change the servings size which will change the amounts of the ingredients (but it will not update the amounts in the written directions). I hope that helps.

  3. I can say I spent my morning cooking your recipes and enjoying a great lunch; are 3 hours ahead of you. Your Air Fryer chicken was excellent; I sprinkled Italian Seasoning. I sliced it and served it on your Roasted Spaghetti Squash; spooned on some of my Tomato sauce. I guess by now you can see I am hooked on your site.5 stars

  4. Delicious flavorings, Holly, on succulent chicken breasts. We really enjoyed this with a side green salad dressed in vinaigrettte. Thank you. Your recipes are reliably satisfying.5 stars

  5. I just made chicken in my airfryer following your recipe. Yummy, yummy. This will now be my go to recipe for chicken breasts. Thank you5 stars

  6. Hi, I followed your instructions and my chicken breast came out looking beautiful as well as tasting great. Thank you, looking forward to some more great ideas for the air fryer.
    Thanks again, Flo.5 stars

  7. 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!!!5 stars

  8. 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.5 stars

  9. 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.5 stars

  10. 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!5 stars

  11. 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.5 stars

  12. 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.

  13. 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!!5 stars

  14. Holly, have you had success with making chicken breasts from frozen in the air fryer? How would you adjust the time & temp?

  15. 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!5 stars

  16. 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!!5 stars

  17. 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.5 stars