Want to make a simple yet juicy chicken breast? Air fryer chicken breast is the way to go!
With oil and a few common spices, this chicken breast turns out crispy on the outside while remaining super juicy on the inside.
It’s a versatile chicken recipe you can use however you like! We often enjoy it with a side of rice or potatoes, but we also like to cut it up in a salad or wraps.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – You’ll need two boneless, skinless chicken breasts between 7-8 ounces per breast.
- Avocado oil – Alternatively you can use canola, vegetable, sunflower, or olive oil.
- Garlic powder – For added flavor; add more or less to taste.
- Paprika – For flavor and color.
- Salt – For flavor, add more or less to taste.
- Black pepper – For flavor.
Recipe Tips
- We are using fresh chicken breast for this recipe – boneless and skinless. If you want to use frozen chicken breast, you’ll have to adjust the cooking time.
- You can change up the spices to suit your taste. For a hint of spice, you can add some cayenne pepper.
- Don’t skip the oil since it helps the seasoning stick to the chicken breast.
- After you remove the chicken from the air fryer, place it on a plate, cover it with tin foil, and let it rest for a few minutes. Don’t skip this step. This is how it gets extra juicy… and it’s worth the wait.
- If you’re not sure if the chicken breast is cooked through, you can check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. It should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cut into the thickest part. The meat should be completely white with no pink.
- We’ve got a recipe for stuffed chicken breasts if you want chicken with a creamy spinach filling!
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Recipe Video
Step by Step Instructions
If you’d like to see visuals for how to air fry chicken breast, have a look at the process photos in this section.
Alternatively, feel free to skip to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Trim any excess fat if applicable.
Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl until well combined.
Brush the chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon of oil per breast, then massage the seasoning on the top. Flip and add seasoning to the other side as well.
Alternatively, you can add the oil and spices together in a small bowl and then brush this blended mix directly onto the chicken.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. When the air fryer is hot, place the chicken breasts into the air fryer basket.
There should be some space between them so they can cook evenly.
Cook the chicken breasts at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked.
The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer and the size of the chicken breasts. The internal temperature of the chicken breasts should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Cover the plate with aluminum foil, and let the chicken breasts rest for about 5 minutes.
Then remove the foil from the plate and serve the chicken breasts hot. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have leftover chicken breast, store it in a sealed container or covered in foil in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, you can place the chicken breast in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through (280 degrees Fahrenheit works well).
Serving Suggestions
Once you make chicken breast in the air fryer, there is so much you can do with it:
- You can serve this chicken with side dishes like roasted red potatoes or even baked potatoes. Other vegetables such as brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans also pair nicely!
- Instead of potatoes, you could also serve the chicken with rice or quinoa.
- Another way to use this chicken breast is to cut it up and use it in a salad or wrap. We like chicken Caesar salad wraps and this chicken goes really nicely with Caesar dressing and crunchy romaine!
Related Recipes
Try these other delicious air fryer chicken recipes:
- Air Fried Chicken Wings (Simple Seasoning)
- Lemon Pepper Wings in the Air Fryer
- Chicken Sausage in the Air Fryer
- Air Fried Chicken Bites
- Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, 7-8 ounces per breast
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If applicable, trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts.2 chicken breasts
- Mix the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Brush the chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon oil per breast, then rub the seasoning on the top. Flip and add seasoning to the other side as well.Alternatively, you can mix the oil, salt, and spices in a small bowl and then brush the mixture directly onto the chicken.2 teaspoons oil
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When the air fryer is hot, place the chicken breasts into the air fryer. They shouldn't touch each other.
- Cook the chicken breasts at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time can vary slightly based on your air fryer and the size of the chicken breasts.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Cover the plate with aluminum foil, and let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes.
- Remove the foil from the plate and serve the chicken breasts hot.
Notes
- If the chicken breast is a lot smaller or larger than 7-8 ounces, you’ll have to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
This recipe was first published in March 2021 and updated in July 2024.
This sounds simple and delicious,
I’m going to have to try it this week . Thanks for the great recipes.
I would just like to comment on your fabulous website. I am 84 years old. Live alone in a very remote part of Thailand in the mountains and do so much enjoy your recipes, especially the accompanying videos!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Stan – I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying our website!