If you love easy chicken recipes (one of my favorite proteins!), be sure to try my asparagus stuffed chicken, pan seared chicken breast, or cheesy bacon ranch chicken next time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here I explain the best ingredients for cooking boneless skinless chicken breast in the air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken Breasts – This air fryer chicken breast recipe is for boneless skinless chicken breast, but technically it would work with bone-in as well. I just haven’t tested the cook time for bone-in, so you’d need to use a probe thermometer (which I recommend anyway!) to check when it’s done. For boneless, I love this organic brand that gets delivered right to your door. This method will work for other cuts of chicken as well, but cooking time will vary depending on cut. I have specific recipes for air fryer chicken drumsticks, air fryer wings, air fryer chicken thighs, and air fryer whole chicken that you can use. Brine – You’ll need water and sea salt to make the brine. You’ll need enough water to submerge the chicken (about 4 cups in a large bowl) and the basic brine ratio is 1 tablespoon of salt per cup of water. That may seem like a lot, but not nearly all the salt will make it into the chicken, and this ratio helps ensure that osmosis takes place to get as much of the water into the chicken as possible, for the best air fryer chicken breast. (I promise, the chicken won’t taste overly salty, and you’ll rinse the excess brine from the chicken before cooking.)
Olive Oil – Brushing the chicken with oil helps prevent it from drying out. Any neutral oil, such as avocado oil, would also work. Spices – The basics I used are garlic powder (onion powder also works great), sea salt, paprika, and black pepper. See other seasoning options below.
How To Cook Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make air fryer chicken breast, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below. I think brining makes this the juiciest, best air fryer chicken breast recipe, but if you don’t have time, you can skip this part. Simply pat the chicken dry and season with 1 teaspoon of salt per pound, then add the spices as usual.
How Long To Cook Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer?
Boneless chicken breast air fryer cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts, ranging 7-16 minutes. It’s important that the chicken breasts are only minimally touching, if at all, so that they cook evenly. Cook in batches if necessary. The following chart shows a general guideline for how long to air fry them based on their size: This chart is a good guideline, but I recommend using a probe thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken breast (it will beep when ready!). An instant read thermometer will also work, but you won’t know until you check. Like other chicken recipes, the safest internal temp for air fryer chicken breast is 165 degrees F, but I prefer to cook until it reaches 163 degrees F, then let it rest for 5 minutes to reach at least 165. Internal temperature continues to rise while resting, so cooking until slightly less will ensure that the chicken does not come out dry.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer. Thawing and brining it gives it better flavor and definitely keeps it juicy, but you can cook it directly from frozen. Cooking time will be close to 18-20 minutes.
Seasoning Variations
Lemon Pepper – You can use store-bought, or make your own with this lemon pepper seasoning recipe. Cajun – Making your own Cajun seasoning is super easy, or use your favorite store-bought brand. Mexican – Try my 5-minute fajita seasoning or taco seasoning blends. Ranch Seasoning – I love having homemade ranch seasoning mix on-hand at all times, but you can also use the ranch seasoning that comes in packets.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers: Keep leftover chicken in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, use leftovers to make a BBQ chicken salad. Reheat: Warm up the chicken breast in the air fryer again, or in a hot skillet, just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook, or it will be dry. Freeze: Freeze chicken breast in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Breast
For a healthy meal, pair air fryer chicken breast recipes with: My homemade blends include salt, but if yours does not, also add about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of chicken.
Veggie Sides – My favorites are roasted asparagus, brussels sprouts (either smashed sprouts or air fryer brussels sprouts), air fryer carrots, sauteed broccoli (pictured above), green beans almondine, or zucchini fries. Potatoes – Such as roasted potatoes or air fryer sweet potatoes. Serve it over mashed cauliflower and drizzled with a savory mushroom sauce for a lighter option. Rice – Make your favorite kind. I usually choose cauliflower rice myself. Salads – While the air fryer chicken breast is cooking, make a creamy cucumber salad or Caprese salad to go with it. You can also use this chicken as part of a cobb salad or green goddess salad. Sandwiches – Slice the chicken to make sandwiches or wraps.
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
If you like this air fryer boneless chicken breast recipe, you might also like some of these other air fryer chicken recipes: Find more healthy air fryer recipes here! You can make other proteins perfectly with it, such as juicy air fryer pork chops, tender steak in the air fryer, and flaky air fryer salmon. Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle!
