Air Fryer Chicken Breast – Juicy & Tasty in Just 10 Minutes
Sometimes you stumble upon a recipe that quietly and seamlessly takes its place in your kitchen arsenal. I am talking about this air fryer chicken breast. Have you ever faced dry, tasteless, or, worse yet, both kinds of chicken breasts in your cooking history? Well, then this recipe will save you from this torture!
During one very hot summer, I started making air fryer chicken breast. There was no way to turn on my oven, as it felt like torture to me! I needed something tasty, but easy. After a couple of experiments, this version of air fryer chicken breast became my winner, so today I would like to share it with you.
You will be surprised how simple it is! Moreover, the ingredients and steps are super easy, yet this dish turns out to be flavorful and tender!
Ingredients (Makes 2 Servings)
For Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, 7 oz (400 g) each
- 2 tsp of olive oil (10 ml)
For Seasoning
- ½ tsp of paprika
- ¼ tsp of garlic powder
- ¼ tsp of dried thyme (or herbs of choice)
- ½ tsp of kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp of ground black pepper
Paprika – the main purpose of paprika is to season the chicken mildly and give a touch of warmth and a gorgeous golden color to the dish. However, if you don’t like paprika, you can use chili powder instead.
Herbs – dried thyme gives that earthy note, but you can also add Italian seasoning, dried oregan,o or rosemary instead.
Salt – for this particular recipe, I always recommend kosher salt. If you are using fine table salt, adjust the amount of seasoning to your taste.
Preparing Chicken
The key to juicy air fryer chicken breast is to start with preparation.
First of all, choose chicken breasts with equal dimensions (thickness and width). Mine are usually 7 oz (400 g) each. Otherwise, if the chicken breasts are uneven, chances are high that the bigger one will overcook and turn out dry while the smaller piece will cook unevenly.
Place chicken breasts on the cutting board and flatten their thickest side gently.
Yes, you need to hit gently!
Your task is only to even out the thickest part so it cooks evenly. When you gently pound the thicker end of the breast, it will become even in shape and smoother to touch.
I once made this dish without knowing about flattening the chicken. At that point, I went to extremes and completely flattened it to increase the cooking speed. However, in the end, I got dry chicken with no tenderness or juiciness at all. So now I stop as soon as I notice that it becomes even.
Now, you should feel that the surface has become softer.
Pro Tip: I usually cover the chicken in plastic wrap or parchment paper. It protects your work surface and prevents tearing.
Seasoning Chicken
Take olive oil and drizzle it over chicken breasts.
Cover every surface of the chicken gently with oil. It helps spices stick well and helps brown more in an air fryer. In a separate bowl, mix:
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dried thyme
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
Mix it thoroughly so that it becomes fragrant and aromatic.
Pro Tip: I really recommend you make this seasoning ahead of time and keep it in an airtight jar. You will use this mix for all kinds of chicken, roasted potatoes, and veggies!
Now take a chicken breast and sprinkle the seasoning mixture on one side. Gently rub it in, then flip it and season the second side of the chicken.
You should ensure that the seasoning reaches all sides of the chicken.
You should see a light golden-red color when finished.
Don’t be shy to increase the seasoning quantity if you cook large chicken breasts or love spicier dishes.
Air Frying Chicken
Preheat your air fryer to 375F (190C).
Place chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook on medium-high heat.
Put the smooth side down first, as you will see the pretty side after cooking.
Listen to how the air fryer works.
It should give you that familiar buzzing sound and, after a while, a soft sizzling sound. This is exactly what you should hear.
Cook chicken on the first side for 7 min, then flip it and cook on the other side for 3-4 min more.
Remember to flip chicken in order to get a properly cooked piece!
After flipping, the chicken should continue browning evenly and getting crispy edges. The smell of garlic and herbs will fill the kitchen – that is a good sign!
Pro Tip: If you don’t know cooking time, just increase it gradually. For example, cook for 10 min on one side and then flip it and cook for 5 min more. However, you shouldn’t leave the chicken too long.
Cooking and serving this dish should take less than half an hour.
Let the Chicken Rest
After being cooked, you should remove the chicken and put it on the plate to rest.
It is a very important step that you can never skip!
When the chicken comes out of the air fryer, juices are still circulating inside. Once you cut the chicken right away, they will run on your plate, and you will lose lots of moisture.
Pro Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer to control the temperature and aim for 160F (71C). The temperature will continue rising a bit during the resting stage, and you will reach the perfect result!
Serving the Dish
Here is why I make this air fryer chicken breast so frequently – it can easily become a base for many dishes and salads. During weeknight dinners, I usually serve it whole with veggies and potatoes.
You can slice the dish and put it on a plate with green salad, roasted potatoes, and any kind of veggies.
I like adding air fryer green beans to the side, as they give a crispy edge and contrast beautifully with the chicken breast.
Also, mashed air fryer potatoes are among my favorite options. It is really easy to prepare this dish!
Moreover, I love preparing roasted chicken to add it to a salad. You can easily dice or slice this chicken breast and pack it into lunches for the following days.
The air fryer chicken breast keeps its juiciness even after storage.
Pro Tip: Always slice the dish against the grain to get extra-tender chicken!
Common Mistakes
Pounding the Chicken Too Thin
People usually pound the chicken to cook it faster. However, by doing this, you destroy meat fibers and make the chicken dry.
Therefore, don’t hammer the chicken excessively. Pound it slightly and flatten only the thick end.
Using Uneven Chicken Breasts
Often people buy chicken breasts with different thicknesses or sizes. Don’t cook them together, as one of them will always cook faster and become dry!
Instead, purchase similar chicken breasts or use two air fryers.
Not Flipping the Chicken
Some people like cooking chicken without flipping it, thinking it saves their time. However, flipping it improves browning and helps juices distribute evenly, thus making the chicken tastier and juicier.
Always flip the chicken midway to ensure uniform cooking.
Overcooking Chicken Breasts
Sometimes people fear undercooking chicken and make sure it’s cooked fully.
However, in the case of chicken breast, you can overcook it easily. Thus, it becomes hard and loses its tenderness and juiciness.
So, check the temperature regularly with a thermometer. Remove chicken at 160F (71C).
Cutting Chicken Right after Cooking
This is a huge mistake, as you can lose all juices and make the chicken extremely dry.
Let the chicken rest after being taken out of the air fryer for several minutes.
Variations
Smoky Chicken Breast
Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the spices mix in order to give a unique BBQ taste and smell.
Italian Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Instead of thyme, use Italian seasoning to add a new taste.
Spicy Chicken Breast
If you love spicy food, add some chili powder or red pepper flakes.
Storage and Serving
Room Temperature
Leftovers should be stored at room temperature for 2 hours maximum.
Refrigerator
Store leftover air fryer chicken in an airtight container. The shelf life is 3-4 days.
Freezer
You can freeze this chicken for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen dish in the fridge before using it. You can reheat it gently in the oven.
Serving the Dish
My favorite option is freshly prepared chicken with veggies and potatoes. However, you can easily slice and serve the dish cold the next day.
The air fryer chicken breast has helped me out so many times! It is very easy to prepare and cook yet turns out juicy and flavorful!
