Ready in 20 minutes using a handful of simple ingredients, this air fryer chicken breast recipe is made for weeknight dinnertime. The air fryer perfectly cooks each chicken breast, delivering golden brown, tender, and juicy chicken in no time. Add air fryer chicken to salads, wraps, or make-ahead lunches.
Why It Works (and Stays Juicy!)
- Pound the chicken before air frying to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Use a preheated air fryer for quickly seared and beautifully browned chicken breasts.
- The air fry temperature (390ºF) is hot enough to create a golden brown exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
- Chicken breasts cook faster in the air fryer (than baking) and retain moisture.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to remove the guesswork in knowing when the chicken is done.
Ways to Cook Chicken
- Chicken breasts: Because most air fryer baskets are on the smaller side, I recommend choosing small/medium sized chicken breasts. If you want to make more than 2 chicken breasts, simply double the recipe and cook the chicken in batches.
- Spices: Use this recipe as a starting point for any of your favorite spices! For versatile chicken that goes with just about anything, I like to use a combination of garlic powder, dried thyme, chili powder, salt, and pepper to create a dry rub (similar to my all-purpose chicken seasoning).
- Olive oil: Helps create a golden brown exterior.
Ninja
Air Fryer
Are you in the market for an air fryer? There are so many great air fryers out there. This Ninja Air Fryer is a fan favorite.
- Preheat the air fryer. Make sure the air fryer is preheated (just like you’d do for oven baked chicken breasts).
- Pound the chicken. Place the chicken on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a meat tenderizer to pound each chicken breast into an even thickness. Avoid over pounding!
- Season the chicken. Sprinkle the spice mixture all over the chicken and use your hands to massage it into the chicken. For extra flavor, let the dry rub sit on the chicken for 15-30 minutes before frying.
- Air fry the chicken. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook until golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Cook time varies based on the size of the chicken breasts (flip halfway through frying). For raw (not frozen) chicken, follow this guide:
- Small (4 to 6 ounces): 8-10 minutes
- Medium (7 to 9 ounces): 10-15 minutes
- Large (10 ounces or more): 15-18 minutes
The chicken breasts are done when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF – add a few extra minutes of air fry time if needed until this temperature is achieved.
Air Fryer Tips for Success
Use this recipe as a starting point for so many flavors by simply switching up the seasonings. Use 2-3 teaspoons of any of these dry rubs instead of the simple spice mix included in the recipe:
Easy Ways to Serve
Once completely cool, transfer the chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I like to slice the chicken breasts and package into individual containers to easily grab-and-go.
FAQ
Use a preheated air fryer (390ºF) and keep a close eye on the chicken as it cooks. Chicken breasts cook pretty quickly in the air fryer, so follow my guide for timing based on size of the chicken breasts (above) so they don’t overcook.
Absolutely. For even more flavor, marinate the chicken breasts for 30 minutes (or overnight) depending on how much time you have. 2 of my favorite marinades are teriyaki chicken marinade or balsamic chicken marinade.
It can add flavor, but it does take more time to prepare. If you have the extra time to brine the chicken, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of kosher salt over the chicken breasts and refrigerate for 30-40 minutes. Once brined, add the spices and continue with the recipe.
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Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF and spray the basket with olive oil cooking spray.
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Combine the garlic powder, dried thyme, chili powder, salt, and pepper into a bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.
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Prepare the chicken breasts for cooking. Place them on a cutting board, cover with a piece of plastic wrap, and use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken until it’s all the same thickness.
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Sprinkle the spice mixture onto both sides of each chicken breast. Use your hands to rub in the spices.
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Place the chicken breasts into the preheated air fryer and drizzle them with olive oil.
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Cook for 7 minutes at 390ºF, flip, and cook for an additional 3 minutes (or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
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Remove the chicken from the air fryer, serve, and enjoy.
- Storage: Place cooled chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Cook time: Varies based on the size of the chicken breasts (flip halfway through frying). For raw (not frozen) chicken.
- Small chicken breasts: For 4-6 ounce breasts, cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Medium chicken breasts: For 7-9 ounce breasts, cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Large chicken breasts: For 10 ounce breasts (or more), cook for 15-18 minutes.
- Frozen chicken breasts: If using frozen chicken breasts, increase the cook time by at least 10 minutes.
Calories: 239 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 39 g, Fat: 9 g, Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
