Air fryer chicken breasts are quick to make, delicious and healthy. With the air fryer, you can achieve the perfect flavorful chicken breasts with a slightly crispy exterior, all while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Consider this easy air fryer chicken breast recipe the perfect base to serve alongside salads, rice, pasta, vegetables and more!
Why should you cook your chicken breast in an air fryer? Because an air fryer uses circulating hot air to cook. The air fryer creates perfectly cooked chicken with a slightly crispy outside and tender and juicy inside.
It’s also a great way to meal prep chicken which can be sliced and used in lunches throughout the week.
Recipe Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts – equal in size
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
How To Air Fry Chicken Breasts
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, combine 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp paprika. Mix everything together.
STEP TWO: Brush the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the chicken.
STEP THREE: Heat the air fryer at 375℉ for 5 minutes. Add in the chicken in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook 10 minutes more, or until it reaches 165℉ internally when poked with a meat thermometer.
STEP FOUR: Remove and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to circulate. Serve and enjoy.
Helpful Tip: Check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts using an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should reach 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
Recipe Tips
- Choose chicken breasts that are similar in size so that they cook evenly. Aim for chicken breasts that are around 6-8 ounces each. You can use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness if needed.
- Try marinating the chicken beforehand with one of my favorite 6 chicken marinade recipes. This will tenderize the meat and add more flavor!
- Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes. This will help to sear the outside of the chicken and give it that crispy coating.
- A light coat of cooking spray may help the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken in a single layer. Overcrowing the basket will cause uneven cooking. It’s better to cook in two separate batches if needed.
- The best way to tell if chicken is done is with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F for properly cooked chicken.
- After cooking, let your chicken breast rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make your chicken more tender and juicy.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze – I love to batch prep a larger amount of chicken and freeze half for future meals! You can wrap the cooled chicken tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil first, then place each one in a large freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The cooked chicken can last up to 6 months in the freezer if stored properly.
- To Thaw – Chicken can be thawed in the fridge overnight in a bowl of cold water.
- To Reheat – Reheat the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F or in the microwave.
How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
- If you can, marinate the chicken first. This will create more tender meat.
- Avoid overcooking the chicken. The best way to do this is with a meat thermometer. Poke it into the middle of the chicken to get a proper reading.
- Lastly, let the chicken rest on a plate for 5 minutes to allow the internal juices to circulate.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links) – Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Air Fryer With Two Separate Baskets – You can cook two separate recipes at once and it comes with a built in meat thermometer which is so useful!
- Mixing Bowls – A set of white nesting bowls is essential in my kitchen. I use them in every recipe I make.
- Silicone Spatula Set – Great for mixing spices and applying them to the chicken.
- Magnetic Measuring Spoons – I love these magnetic ones which stay nice and organized together when storing them
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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts - equal in size
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Mix everything together.
- Toss the seasonings with the raw chicken breasts, spreading it onto both sides.
- Heat the air fryer at 375℉ for 5 minutes. Add in the chicken in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook 10 minutes more, or until it reaches 165℉ internally when poked with a meat thermometer.
- Remove and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to circulate. Serve and enjoy.
Recipe Notes:
- Same-size chicken breasts will cook better. You can use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness if needed.
- Cook the chicken in a single layer. Overcrowing the basket will cause uneven cooking. It’s better to cook in two separate batches if needed.
- Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
What To Serve With
Here are some delicious and easy side dishes that will complement your chicken perfectly:
- ROASTED VEGETABLES – Roasting vegetables in the oven or air fryer is a great way to add some color and nutrition to your plate. Try roasting some cabbage steaks, lemon parmesan broccoli, buffalo cauliflower bites, easy healthy green beans, crispy carrots or brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and black pepper to create a tasty and healthy side dish.
- SALADS – A fresh and simple salad is a perfect side dish for your air fryer chicken breast. Try our beautiful quinoa salad (great for meal prep). Toss some baby spinach leaves with fresh berries for a yummy strawberry spinach salad, or keep it simple with an easy greek side salad.
- MASHED POTATOES – Mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy alternative to regular mashed potatoes. Simply boil some sweet potatoes, mash them with a fork, and add a pinch of salt and black pepper for a flavorful side dish.
- RICE – There are so many ways to create rice with incredible flavor. Check out our 8 easy rice recipes blog post for some ideas.
- LEFTOVERS – Add cooked chicken breasts to some of our favorite recipes including taco chicken salad, topped on this popular sweet potato taco bowl, or make a casserole like our chicken broccoli rice bake.