Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This air fryer chicken breast takes less than 8 minutes to make and turns out perfectly juicy and tender every time- it’s truly the best!

Love air fryer recipes? Try air fryer salmon, air fryer pork tenderloin, air fryer chicken tenderloins, and air fryer steak.

As someone who enjoys chicken breasts weekly, I used to cook them the same way. I’d marinate them for several hours, then pan-fry or bake them in the oven. The downside was how time-consuming it was.

Enter- cooking chicken in the air fryer. It’s been a game changer in many ways, and I’ll never cook chicken breasts any other way again.

Why I love this recipe

• No marinating needed. Or brining either. Most air fryer chicken breast recipes need the chicken to be brined or marinated beforehand, but not this one!
• Ready in 8 minutes. Air fry the chicken for 4 minutes on each side, and you are done.
• Easy to customize. Keep it simple with some salt and pepper or jazz it up with more intricate and flavorful spices or some fun sauces.
• Perfect for meal prep. I love to whip up a batch of this chicken on a weekend and enjoy it for quick and healthy lunches during the week.
• Amazing texture. It’s juicy and tender, and cooking it in the air fryer guarantees consistent and perfect results every time.

Ingredients Needed 

Besides the chicken and some seasonings, there isn’t much else that goes into making this recipe. Here is what you’ll need:

• Boneless skinless chicken breast– I recommend choosing equal-sized chicken breasts so they cook evenly. Frozen chicken breasts will work, but you’ll need to thaw them completely and pat dry any excess water/moisture before seasoning.
• Olive oil- A touch of oil keeps the chicken juicy and moist in the middle, while crisp and tender on the outside.
• Spices- Smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder add a delicious smokey and umami flavor. 
• Salt and black pepper- To taste.

How to make air fryer chicken breast 

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Prepare the chicken. Start by pat drying the chicken, add it to a bowl and rub olive oil on each fillet. Mix the spices in a bowl and rub them on each side of the chicken breast. If desired, let the chicken sit for 10 minutes for the spices to absorb. 

Step 2- Preheat the air fryer. Next, preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F and lightly grease the basket with cooking spray. 

Step 3- Cook the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 4 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Repeat the process until all chicken breasts are done. 

Tips to make the best recipe

• Ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket. The air fryer cooks the protein by circulating the hot air, so it is important.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time so both sides cook equally and yield a juicy chicken breast.
• Always use room temperature chicken so the cooking time is accurate and consistent.
• I know that often with air frying meat, the air fryer basket turns out a little dirty, and it’s tempting to line it with parchment paper or tin foil. For this chicken, try to avoid this. The chicken cooks more evenly and tastes better.

Ways to serve air fryer chicken

Once your chicken breast is ready, here are some delicious ways to enjoy it: 

• Pasta- Slice the chicken and add it to a healthy pasta or over some keto pasta. Serve it on the side of some high protein pasta or low calorie pasta.
• Pizza- Add a protein and flavorful hit to some Sicilian pizza or a cast iron pizza.
• Sides- Make the chicken the star protein dish and serve it with smoked mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, or curry fried rice.
• Salad- Serve it over a low carb broccoli salad, keto coleslaw, or even a keto potato salad.
• Sandwiches or wraps- Make a chicken and avocado sandwich or wrap using keto tortillas, keto bread, or some low calorie wraps. 

How to store leftovers

To store: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days. 

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled chicken breasts in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months. 

Reheating: Microwave the chicken for 20-30 seconds or in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes. 

More air fryer recipes using chicken

• Air Fryer chicken thighs
• Air Fryer chicken drumsticks
• Air Fryer whole chicken
• Air Fryer chicken parmesan
• Air Fryer fried chicken
• Air fryer chicken wings

Originally published April 2022, updated March 2024