Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless); 1 tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked); 1 tsp Italian seasoning; ¼ tsp salt (or to taste); ½ tsp pepper (or to taste)

This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, and gives us juicy, tender chicken without any of the guilt. A foolproof recipe giving you great results every single time.

overhead shot of 2 chicken breasts and one sliced up on a cutting board.

I love these air fryer chicken breasts for a multitude of reasons. For one, they are so easy to make, just toss it in the air fryer and let it do all the work for you! With my straightforward recipe, you’ll be enjoying guilt-free “fried” chicken breasts in no time, under 30 minutes to be exact.

Why This Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe Works

Super Easy To Make
“Fried” Chicken Without Any Excess Grease
Juicy, Tender Chicken Breast
Simple, Short Ingredient List
Versatile & Customizable
Quick – Under 30 Minutes
Delicious Comfort Food

I could be here for days writing about all of the reasons why you NEED to make this recipe, but I’ll try to let it speak for itself. Made with only 6 ingredients (4 of them making up the simple spice rub) this chicken couldn’t get any easier! I absolutely love my air fryer because I can enjoy all of my favorite fried bites, whether it be mozza sticks, chicken tenders or fried chicken, without any of that excess soggy grease! It’s a win win.

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make chicken breast in the air fryer.

Chicken – I used boneless and skinless chicken breasts. You can substitute chicken thighs, wings, etc. but keep in mind the cook time will be different!
Olive Oil – Substitute sunflower, safflower or avocado oil.
Spices – I used a simple combination of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast

detailed process shots showing how to make chicken breast in the air fryer.

Prep: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Brush each chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides.
Make Spice Mixture: In a small bowl combine together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Season Chicken: Generously sprinkle the chicken on both sides with the spice mixture.
Fry: Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, cook in batches if needed. Cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and cooked through. The chicken is cooked through when a thermometer reads 165°F inserted in the center of a breast.

FAQs & Expert Tips

3 chicken breasts cooked in an air fryer on a cutting board.

FAQs

Why The Air Fryer?

Air fryers use a circulation of hot air to cook food instead of submerging it in oil! By using the air fryer, we can achieve the same crispy, fried chicken result, without all the grease!

Is Air Frying Healthy?

Air frying is definitely a healthier alternative than frying in oil. It cuts calories by about 70-80% and has a lot less fat!

How Do I Know When My Chicken Is Done?

To truly test doneness of the meat, use an instant meat thermometer. Do not go by the color of the skin. The chicken is done when the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

How To Serve

Just like any side you’d serve fried chicken with, the same goes for these air fryer chicken breasts! Chicken pairs well with just about anything you could think of! They are perfect for an easy weeknight meal, great for a party or get together, and a great alternative to fatty fried foods. Whether it be summer or winter, these air fryer chicken breasts will be a hit!

a sliced chicken breast next to roasted broccoli on a white plate.

Tips

Get an instant meat thermometer! Trust me, it will be a life saver! This is the best way to ensure your meat is cooked properly. Luckily, since we’re using an air fryer, we can open the lid and check the temperature often and as soon as it reaches 165°F, you know the chicken is done!
Sweet or smoked paprika both work excellently for the spice rub. Try both and see which one you like best!
I kept the seasoning super simple, but feel free to play around with other spices/herbs to make this recipe your own.
Looking for a buttermilk fried chicken option? Check out my air fryer fried chicken recipe!

a sliced up chicken breast on a cutting board.

Leftovers

If you have leftover chicken breasts, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Make sure to let your chicken cool completely before you freeze it! Transfer it into freezer bags or an airtight container. If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible from the bag as you slide the zipper closed. Leftovers will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.