Air Fryer Chicken Breast

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5 from 692 votes
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My 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 protein air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer salmon, air fryer pork tenderloin, air fryer chicken tenderloins, and air fryer steak next.

air fryer chicken breasts.

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.

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients Needed 
  3. How to make air fryer chicken breast 
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More air fryer chicken recipes
  8. 8-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Breast (Recipe Card)

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. The chicken needs just 4 minutes on each side.
  • 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.

★★★★★ REVIEW

My favorite! It’s so easy and simple but so yummy. Also makes the house smell really good 🙂”Jaycee

Ingredients Needed 

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts. 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.

seasoned chicken breast.

Step 1- Prep. Pat dry 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.

raw chicken breasts in the air fryer.

Step 2- Air fry. 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.

Step 3- Serve. Let the chicken rest for a minute or two before serving.

chicken breast in the air fryer.

Air fryer chicken cooking time

he basic time for a standard 8-oz portion of chicken is 8 minutes. However, the size of your chicken breasts determines the exact cooking time.

  • Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 6 to 8 minutes
  • Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 7-10 minutes 
  • Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 10-14 minutes

Remember, the best way to check if the chicken is cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer (meat thermometer). As per the FDA recommendations, fully cooked chicken should have an internal temperature of 165F.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • 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 so both sides cook equally and yield a juicy chicken breast.
  • Always use room temperature chicken so the cooking time is accurate and consistent.
  • Don’t line with parchment paper. 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: 

Storage instructions

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. 

air fryer chicken breast.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes! I tested this recipe with frozen chicken, and the only difference was that I cooked the chicken for an extra 2-3 minutes per side. You can cook the chicken from frozen and add it directly to the air fryer.

If I don’t have a meat thermometer, how will I know the chicken is cooked?

No meat thermometer? o worries. The best way to check the doneness of the chicken is to insert a knife into the thickest part. If the juices run clean (e.g. no cloudy color or redness), the chicken is cooked.

More air fryer chicken recipes

air fryer chicken breast recipe.

8-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Breast

5 from 692 votes
My air fryer chicken breast recipe takes less than 8 minutes to make and turns out perfectly juicy and tender every time. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen.
Servings: 4 servings
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 8 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 4 small chicken breasts 4-6 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F. 
  • Pat dry the chicken breasts then add them into a bowl and rub the oil generously over them all. 
  • Add the smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl, then rub on both sides of the chicken breast fillets. If desired, let the chicken sit for 10 minutes.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 4 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
  • Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and serve immediately.

Notes

TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, 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. 
TO REHEAT: Microwave the chicken for 20-30 seconds or in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 7gSodium: 425mgPotassium: 467mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 541IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally updated November 2023, updated and republished September 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve been following thebigmansworld for years now. Best recipes.
    The 8 minute air fryer chicken came out so flavorful and tender. A quick healthy easy dinner. Had with a little side salad. Thanks for another winning recipe 😊

  2. 5 stars
    This is one of our favorite recipes….I have a Ninja cooker, the air fryer as well as the grilling cycle are my go to methods.

  3. 5 stars
    love the spice rub. I added two more minutes to cook time. finally! Juicy chicken breasts!

  4. 5 stars
    WOW!! These were delicious! They were moist and juicy and I will not be making boneless chicken breasts any other way!! Will definitely be making these again!!!

    1. 5 stars
      The k you for this airfryer chick n breast recipe much quicker then 1 hour in tht oven when your in a hurry