The Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe is the BEST way to cook chicken. It’s tender, juicy, and my seasoning blend makes it extra flavorful!
The air fryer is truly a game-changer when it comes to cooking chicken breast. Grilled chicken breast is good, but who wants to fire up the grill for a weeknight dinner? (And let’s be real, the indoor grill just isn’t the same.) Baked chicken breast is also tasty, but air fryer chicken is even faster than cooking in a regular oven thanks to the way the air fryer circulates hot air around the chicken for even cooking.
The result? Moist and juicy chicken breast every time. Never dry! Never rubbery! And definitely not bland either!
This air fryer chicken breast recipe is a versatile protein and provides endless possibilities for flavor experimentation. The recipe I share below is sweet, savory, smoky, and a touch spicy, but you can use any rub or seasoning blend you like for your chicken—it’s all good here.
Give this air fryer chicken breast a try and your weeknight chicken dinners will never be the same!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this air fryer chicken recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Brown Sugar – You can use dark or light brown—dark just has a little more intense flavor.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – The most convenient cut of chicken for a weeknight meal!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Prepare. Whisk the seasoning in a small bowl and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Slice it into cutlets.
- Season. Place the chicken in a large bowl or zip-top bag and toss with the seasoning mixture. (For juicier chicken, coat the chicken breasts with a bit of olive oil before seasoning.)
- Arrange. Preheat the air fryer to 415˚F and set the chicken in the air fryer basket in an even layer.
- Cook. Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes; depending on the size of your chicken breasts, larger cutlets may need a little extra cooking time. Using an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer, check for doneness. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165˚F.
- Rest. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Breast
These tips will help you achieve air fried chicken perfection!
- Ensure even thickness. Slicing the chicken into cutlets helps it cook faster and more evenly. If the edges of the cutlets are thinner, you can trim them; thinner parts of the chicken are more likely to end up dry. (It’s up to you, though—if you don’t mind some dry-ish parts on the ends, just leave them!)
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheating the air fryer allows for more consistent cooking. Not all air fryer recipes require preheating, but I think it benefits air fryer chicken breast!
- Avoid overcrowding. Arrange the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. This allows for air to circulate, ensuring that the chicken cooks evenly without steaming.
- Check for doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breast. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken which is why monitoring the temperature is more important than the time!
This 9 in 1 Air Fryer is my favorite for its easy to use control panel and even temperature control. Clean up is a breeze and has a large basket to accommodate family cooking in one batch.
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Variations and Substitutions
This easy air fryer chicken breast recipe is delicious as-is, but here are some different spins you can put on the recipe.
- Lemon Herb chicken. Use lemon zest and dried Italian herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano in the seasoning. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Or use this Lemon Pepper Seasoning for an extra punch of flavor. We love this to make chicken salad during the week.
- Spicy Cajun chicken. Swap the seasoning blend in this recipe with Cajun seasoning.
- BBQ chicken. Use the seasoning blend as directed, but brush the air fryer chicken breast with spicy barbecue sauce once it’s done.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Place the cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap each chicken breast tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat in the air fryer, preheat it to 375˚F and heat the chicken until it’s warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a microwave, but be mindful to use a lower power setting and cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Our Favorite Sides for Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Lemon Parmesan Sauteed Green Beans
- How to Steam Broccoli
- The Best Creamed Corn Recipe
- Rice Pilaf
- Roasted Zucchini
- Garlic Parmesan Baked Asparagus
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
- Air Fryer Honey Soy Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Margherita Pizza
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Get the Recipe: The Very Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- ½ tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cayenne
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3 boneless skinless Chicken Breasts
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 small bowl
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 whisk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the seasoning and set aside.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and place on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the chicken in half horizontally so you have two chicken cutlets. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
- Transfer the chicken to a large bowl or zip top bag and add the seasoning. Turn the chicken to coat all the pieces with the seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer to 415˚F.
- Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.
- Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes. Check for doneness with an instant read thermometer. If you’re pieces are larger, you may need to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite sauce for dipping!