This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe produces juicy, tender breasts. You can use boneless or bone-in breast along with fresh or frozen meat. These are ready in no time! You won't miss baked or grilled chicken.
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been since updated.
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Making chicken breast in the air fryer is so simple! You pretty much season it, drop it in and let the machine do the work. It comes as no surprise chicken is my favorite thing to whip up. You may also enjoy my Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs and Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings recipes.
This recipe is so delectable, you probably won't miss grilled chicken! You can essentially grill chicken right in your kitchen using the air fryer.
Table of Contents
What Type of Chicken to Use
I love to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They are easy to cook and versatile to use. You can eat them as the star of the main dish or slice them up and toss them on salads or in soups. You can also use bone-in chicken if preferred.
Do You Have to Marinate the Chicken?
Marinating the chicken is optional, but preferred when cooking something like chicken breasts. Chicken breasts are drier than other cuts of chicken because they have very little fat. A liquid marinade will tenderize the meat and keep it juicy.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Season the chicken breasts.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer.
- Air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I like to use 360 degrees.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Cook time will vary based on the size of your chicken breasts. The average cook time is around 15 minutes. The exact time will vary for each air fryer brand. Cook the chicken until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
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How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Bone-in chicken breasts will usually need an additional few minutes. Be sure to cook the chicken at the same temperature and until the breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Can You Stack the Chicken?
I don't like to stack any chicken in the air fryer. It results in longer cook times and it makes it difficult for the food to cook evenly. Cook in batches if necessary.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts
Frozen chicken breasts will need 24-28 minutes to cook. Once the chicken has melted some, you can add the seasonings and return it to the air fryer.
Additional Spices and Ideas for How to Season the Chicken
These chicken breasts can be seasoned and marinated in so many ways.
- Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub
- Dry Rub for Chicken
- Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Rub
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- BBQ with BBQ sauce
- Cajun Seasoning
- Teriyaki Seasoning
Pair With These Recipes
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Southwest Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Crispy Fried Chicken Salad
Green Goddess Cobb Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Oven Baked Roasted Corn on the Cob
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer Pickles
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
Love your air fryer? Check out a full list of Air Fryer Recipes here.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast (Tender, Juicy, No Breading)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine.
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional
- 3 tablespoons chicken marinade I use Tessamae's Organic Lemon Garlic.
Instructions
- If using a liquid marinade, coat the chicken in the marinade on both sides. Season the chicken with the spices.
- You can marinate the chicken 30 minutes to overnight, but it's not required. Marinating typically results in juicier chicken.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket. Do not stack the chicken. Cook in batches if needed.
- Cook for 10 minutes on 360 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for an additional 5-8 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Each air fryer brand will cook at a different rate and speed. Use a meat thermometer to test.
- Cool before serving.
Jessica Formicola says
I made this for dinner last night and everyone loved it! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Robin says
Thanks, this made dinner so easy. It was the 1st time I'd air fryed chicken without breading.
B says
I LOVE THE EASE OF THE RECIPE! THANK YOU FOR SHARING. i AM MARINATING MY CHICKEN NOW FOR DINNER. YUMMMM!
staysnatched says
Yay! I hope you enjoy it.
Dia says
Just made this for dinner and it was very tasty! Chicken had a good flavor and was juicy. I marinated for about 7 hours. Thanks for another great recipe, Brandi!
staysnatched says
Marinating is key! Glad you enjoyed it.
Mayah says
I made this last night. I marinated the chicken in lemon and garlic for a few hours. The chicken was so juicy and had great flavor. And the whole process is so easy. Definitely will make this again.
staysnatched says
The air fryer gets them so juicy!
Eunice says
I’m making this again and realized that I never wrote a review. We meal prep and this is great to pair with veggies (and a starch for those of us who aren’t on keto). Also we add this to our salads. I’m marinating the chicken while I prepare another dish. Great recipe!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoy it.
Jovan says
Perfect chicken for meal prep! This makes a super tasty chicken you can put on just about anything! Salad, pasta, sandwiches, etc. Everyone loved it!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I love this recipe for that exact reason!
Giselle Hernandez says
Never want to cook chicken not in the air fryer! This was so quick, easy, and best of all DELICIOUS! I did mine with fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
I hate meal prepping and always make my lunch the night before. This recipe is perfect to make at night after a long day!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you found it easy!
Dee Alexander says
I made this for lunch and it was 🔥. I actually cooked 2 of these for my work week at 1 time in my air fryer. Brandi sure knows how to make her recipes easy to follow, which I love. You can have enough food for the week. That’s a bonus for me being a full-time employee/full-time student. I’m also a bit challenged in the cooking department, but with Brandi’s recipes I actually look like I know what I’m doing when it is time to eat/cook 😂. You need to try this recipe if you haven’t already. What are you doing? GO. MAKE. IT. NOW! Run, don’t walk.
staysnatched says
ha ha love it! So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Stefanie Parker says
Great recipe! The section on cooking the chicken breast from frozen was a life saver this week when I forgot to meal prep.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad it worked out.
Zana says
Prepped for lunch all week with broccoli! Super quick and easy instructions to follow. I hate cooking, but your recipes make it less tedious.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it.