Air Fryer Chicken Breast
A quick and juicy air fryer chicken breast recipe that guarantees no fuss weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 8 to 10 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano (optional) For added flavor
- 3 cups water (for brine) Optional quick brine
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt (for brine) Optional quick brine
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (if your model does not have preheat, let it run for 3 minutes empty).
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels to help browning.
- Rub the chicken with olive oil. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and any additional seasonings, then coat both sides of the chicken evenly.
- Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer, giving each piece some breathing room.
Cooking
- Cook chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, flip, then cook for another 5 to 8 minutes. Start checking early to avoid overcooking.
- Use an instant-read thermometer; the thickest part should reach 160 to 162°F. It will rise to 165°F while resting.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain for the juiciest bite.
Notes
Consider pounding thicker ends of the chicken for even cooking. You can also switch up seasonings to create different flavor profiles.