Easy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe

Name: Easy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 chicken breast ((boneless, skinless 1.5 lbs)); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt ((or to taste)); 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper ((or to taste)); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon brown sugar

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This easy air fryer chicken breast recipe is juicy, tender, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s seasoned with a simple homemade seasoning blend, then air fried for a flavorful outside and juicy center. Follow my step-by-step recipe below to learn how to cook the best chicken breast in the air fryer.

If you love easy air fryer chicken recipes, you might also enjoy my easy air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicy dinner, air fryer crispy chicken wings for a crispy appetizer, or my air fryer chicken tenderloins, for a quick, family-friendly dinner.

Sliced juicy air fryer chicken breast topped with freshly chopped parsley on a bed of mashed potatoes in an off-white bowl.

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Recipe Video:

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Quick and Easy - Ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish. The air fryer is perfect for quickly cooking everything from chicken breast to air fryer salmon.
Juicy and Flavorful - My homemade seasoning blend for this chicken breast is simple, yet flavorful. I combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and brown sugar. You’ll want to use this seasoning blend again and again!
Simple Ingredients - I use pantry staples to season the chicken, so you probably have all the ingredients on hand. I like making this recipe for busy nights and then save recipes like air fryer fried chicken for when I want to make something extra for a Sunday dinner.
Versatile - This recipe works great for a quick dinner, meal prep, salads, or wraps.

A slice of air fried chicken breast being squeezed on the top and bottom to demonstrate the juiciness of the of the perfectly cooked meat.

Q&A:

How long does chicken breast take in the air fryer?

Chicken breast typically cooks in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 16 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness.

Do I need to flip chicken breast in the air fryer?

Yes, you will need to flip the chicken breast for even cooking.

How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in the air fryer?

The best way to keep chicken breast from drying out is to avoid overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer to measure the temperature and immediately remove the chicken from the air fryer once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking, so the juices can distribute throughout the chicken.

What temperature should chicken breast be cooked to?

Chicken breast should be cooked to an internal temperature to 165 degrees Fahrenheit as recommended by the USDA.

Equipment Needed:

Air Fryer

Ingredients (Full recipe located in recipe card below):

Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe ingredients in various dishes on a white marble surface: chicken breast, olive oil, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.

Chicken Breast - Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast. I use organic chicken breast.
Olive Oil - Used to coat the chicken breast. It keeps the chicken moist and binds the seasonings.
Salt - I use a half a teaspoon of salt, but you can always salt to your taste.
Pepper - Adds a little warmth and balance to the seasoning.
Smoked Paprika - I love the smokey flavor. You can use regular paprika if that's what you have in your pantry.
Garlic Powder - My go to seasoning. Adds a savory depth of flavor that’s perfect for chicken.
Onion Powder - Adds a subtle onion flavor that enhances the flavor of the seasoning blend.
Italian Seasoning - Or your favorite herb seasoning blend
Brown Sugar - Tenderizes and adds a subtle sweet flavor.
Optional: Switch things up and try using my homemade Cajun seasoning blend on this chicken breast for a nice twist.

Instructions:

Mix the seasonings: to a small bowl, add the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning and brown sugar. Stir until well blended. Set aside.

Brown sugar, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper neatly placed in a small glass bowl on a wood cutting board.

Brown sugar, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper blended in a small glass bowl on a wood cutting board.

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, then pound the chicken using a mallet or rolling pin to even out the thickness (this also tenderizes the chicken).

Chicken breast being patted dry with a paper towel on an off-white plate.

Chicken breast in a clear plastic bag being pounded with a meat tenderizer mallet on a wood cutting board.

Brush the chicken breast with olive oil, then sprinkle with the seasoning mixture. Rub the seasoning in. Let the chicken rest with the seasoning mixture for 5 minutes.

Olive oil being brushed on a chicken breast with a red and black basting brush on an off-white plate.

Seasoning being rubbed onto a chicken breast on an off-white plate.

Preheat air fryer: After the chicken has rested with the seasoning for 5 minutes, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a preheat option, then heat for 5 minutes.

Black air fryer panel with a silver dial set to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 17 minutes.

Once the air fryer is ready, add the chicken breast smooth side down, and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of your chicken breast. Be sure to use a food thermometer and immediately remove the chicken when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Seasoned raw chicken breast added to a preheated black air fryer basket smooth side down.

Chicken breast being flipped in a black air fryer basket with pink and silver tongs after 10 minutes of cooking.

Fully cooked chicken breast in a black air fryer basket.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and onto a plate. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting (very important step for juiciness).

Chicken breast placed on an off-white plate immediately after being cooked in the air fryer.

Chicken breast with juices accumulated underneath from resting for 5-10 minutes after being cooked.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Breast:

Sliced juicy air fryer chicken breast on a bed of mashed potatoes topped with freshly chopped parsley in an off-white bowl.

Potato Sides:

Vegetable Sides:

If you’re looking for a fun pizza night recipe, try my air fryer pizza chicken, stuffed with melted cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes:

If you love cooking chicken in the air fryer, then try these recipes too:

Chicken Breast Tenderloin Cuts:

Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins - Tender, juicy, and seasoned just right.

Juicy and Flavorful Chicken Thighs:

Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - A reader’s favorite that’s extra juicy.
Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs - Sweet, savory, and full of flavor.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - Perfect for extra crispy skin.

Crispy and Crowd Favorite Chicken Recipes:

Air Fryer Chicken Wings - Perfect for gameday or a party appetizer.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks - Crispy and always a family favorite.

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes or in the microwave on high for 20 seconds at a time until warm throughout.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Time and Temperature:

Here is a guide to help you achieve juicy chicken:
- *375 degrees Fahrenheit 16 to 18 minutes for medium sized chicken breast (2 chicken breast equaling 1.5 pounds and about 1 inch thick after pounding with mallet)
- *375 degrees Fahrenheit 18 to 20 minutes for large sized chicken breast (larger than the above)
If your chicken breast is thin, then follow this air fryer thin chicken breast recipe.

Pro Tips For Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast:

The exact air fryer chicken breast time will depend on the thickness of the chicken. Use a food thermometer to measure the temperature and promptly remove the chicken from the air fryer at 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking to let the chicken reabsorb juices which results in a juicy and tender chicken breast.
The air fryer used in this recipe was the Instant Vortex Plus 6 qt.
For even more flavor, you can marinate your chicken in the seasoning for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours covered in the refrigerator before cooking. These air fryer marinated chicken tenderloins and air fryer Asian chicken are great examples how a simple marinade can add extra flavor.