My go-to healthy recipe for a busy weeknight is air fryer chicken breast because it’s quick, easy, and so delicious! I am always amazed at how tender and juicy the chicken turns out when I make it in the air fryer.
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My Easy Recipe For Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
If I had to choose one recipe that makes the kids and my husband happy, no matter how many times I make it, it has to be my air fryer chicken breast.
My kids are 8 and 5, and yes, they are picky eaters just like any other child. I get them to eat a lot of my other recipes I share on my site, but this is my fallback recipe that’s just so easy to cook and make juicy chicken breasts every time.
The perfect part is I can use leftovers for my lunch and have included them in things like salads, stir fries, and even casseroles.
My daughter Leah calls it the “super juicy chicken” and asks for it almost every other week lately. I mean, she’s not wrong and I can’t complain because it’s been making dinner easier!
I use boneless chicken breasts in this recipe as I am teaching my kids how to slice the chicken into pieces, and wow, that has been a humbling experience. If you’re using a bone-in chicken breast, use the directions in this post because it’s also delicious!
Air Fry Chicken Breast Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – I use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe
- Butter –This gives the chicken breast a nice crispiness on the outside. Olive oil will work as well
- Seasoning – A combination of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper adds just the right amount of flavor
Tips and tricks for the best Air Fried Chicken Breast
- Preheat the air fryer to ensure the chicken starts cooking immediately. This makes a big difference in the texture, so I never skip this step!
- Coat the chicken well with the butter mixture on both sides. I sometimes use my hands to really rub the butter and spices in!
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. I would rather cook in batches so the hot air can properly circulate.
- Use a meat thermometer to see when the chicken is cooked all the way through. I make sure it reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. This is crucial for keeping those juices locked in!
How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave and add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.
STEP THREE: Baste the chicken breasts with the butter mixture on both sides.
STEP FOUR: Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer in a single layer and air fry them for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway until they read 165 degrees F at their thickest point.
STEP FIVE: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Variations and Substitutions
- For a spicy kick, I like to add chili powder or cayenne pepper to the butter and seasoning blend.
- When I want more flavor, I’ll mix in dried herbs like oregano or thyme with some paprika and onion powder before cooking.
- I sometimes brush the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking for a tangy, caramelized finish.
- Switch out the seasoning for taco seasoning. I love to use this for chicken tacos.
- To give the chicken a citrusy punch, I’ll add some lemon zest before cooking.
- For some cheesy goodness, I’ll add a slice of mozzarella to the chicken once it finishes cooking and close the air fryer for 2 minutes to let the residual heat melt it.
Recipes to serve with a Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Lean protein is great to pair with a tasty veggie for a well-rounded meal! I love serving air fried chicken breast with air fryer asparagus, air fryer carrots, or squash in the air fryer.
I also really enjoy chicken and potatoes together, so I often serve this recipe with air fryer baked potato, air fryer baked sweet potato, or twice baked potatoes.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast FAQs
How long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?
When I air fry chicken breast at 380 degrees F, it’s perfectly cooked in about 10-15 minutes depending on how big and thick the chicken breasts are. I always use a thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest point of the chicken breast.
Can I overlap food in an air fryer?
Some foods like veggies cook okay when overlapped, but I find that raw meat like chicken breast always cooks best in a single layer. If the hot air can’t reach all sides of the chicken where the breasts are stacked, the chicken won’t cook all the way through.
Are air fryer chicken breasts healthy for you?
I consider air fryer chicken breast a healthy recipe! Chicken breast is a great lean protein, and thanks to the air fryer, my recipe doesn’t need very much butter. I would consider my air fryer chicken breast just as healthy as cooking chicken breast in the oven or on the stove, but this way is faster.
How to use Air Fry Chicken Breast
I usually make chicken breast in the air fryer with veggies on the side. However, if you slice it up or if you have leftovers the next day, it’s also amazing in buffalo chicken wraps, chicken salad, southwest chicken wrap, or buffalo chicken sandwich!
For a super easy lunch, I’ll throw some air fried chicken breast over mixed greens and add blue cheese dressing!
How to cook frozen boneless chicken breast in the air fryer
Cooking frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer follows the same process but takes a little more time. I preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F, baste the frozen chicken breasts in the melted butter and seasoning mixture, add them to the air fryer, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.
I always flip the chicken halfway through and use my instant read thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest point!
How do I reheat chicken breast in the air fryer?
The air fryer is my favorite way to reheat chicken breasts so they stay nice and juicy. I preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, then cook for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
I always recommend preheating the air fryer before cooking! Just like an oven, preheating the air fryer means the chicken breasts will start cooking as soon as they’re added to the basket, which yields the best results.
Do I need to flip chicken breasts in the air fryer?
Flipping the chicken breasts in the air fryer is another great way to make sure they cook evenly and get nice and browned on all sides. I think it’s worth the tiny bit of extra effort!
How should I store leftover air fryer chicken breast?
I let any extra chicken breasts fully cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. I store them in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days. I also freeze the chicken in a freezer safe bag for up to 4 months.
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air fryer chicken tenders
- Air fryer fried chicken
- Air fryer chicken legs
- Air fryer chicken cutlets
- Air fryer chicken thighs
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Place the boneless chicken breasts on a cutting board. Melt butter in the microwave and add in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Coat the chicken with the butter mixture on both sides.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer in one single layer and cook the chicken for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. The chicken is done once the chicken reads 165 degrees at its thickest part.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or the chicken will cook unevenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- To store, let the chicken cool then transfer it to an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Air fry frozen chicken breasts by cooking them in a preheated air fryer at 360 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
I only use frozen chicken breasts. Can you tell me how long or how to adjust the recipe? Thank you.
Hi Cheryl, I haven’t cooked them from frozen as of yet, but I would drop the temperature to about 330 degrees F to allow them to cook thoroughly without burning the outside before the inside has cooked. Then allow them to cook a little longer than the recipe states until they are at the needed internal temperature.
I am new at this, could you tell me can you use foil containers in a Breville air fryer oven. I have not purchased a recipe book as yet & what containers do I have to have, I bought a Pyrex dish & use trays & basket what came in oven, have been following your posts, many thanks Jan.
Hi Jan, great questions. You can use anything that is oven-safe in an air fryer! You can use those foil containers from the store, silicone muffin cups, small cake tins, and more. I have never personally used Pyrex in an air fryer (I’ve used Corningware ramekins though), but as long as they are oven-safe, you should be okay.
You can also check the manual to see if it states any specific containers not to use inside of it.
These are really good if you’re looking for a basic recipe for chicken that you can use for many different things.
SAMANTHA…
I have been receiving your daily email recipes. I have been to your webpage many times. I have printed several of your air fryer recipes. I have one on the frozen onion rings. my question is about frozen mushrooms. I imagine this would be a method very similar to your frozen onion rings? Do you have a recipe for frozen mushrooms? I thank you for your input. …and by the way, we have both the 3.7qt. and 5.8qt. COSORI AIR FRYERS. However, we are beginners and I am looking for all the information available. I see you have an air fryer cookbook available. I may purchase that. We already have a couple of the best air fryer cookbooks you listed. TThank you…
Ooh, I haven’t tried frozen mushrooms in there, but that sounds like a great idea. I would take a look at the oven directions on the bag and drop your temperature about 30 degrees, then air fry them checking them after about 4 minutes and continue to cook until hot. If they’re breaded, they’ll taste the best.
I am so glad you’re enjoying the recipes! I love that you have both sizes in the Cosori. That’s a great way to cook smaller and larger foods separately and at the same time! If you have any questions about my digital cookbook, feel free to email me!
We make frozen breaded mushrooms all the time in the air fryer. I spray the basket with cooking spray. Then….400 degrees for 15 minutes. Perfect every time.
I had to cook my chicken breast 25 minutes at 380 degrees. I kept checking my meat with a thermometer. I think it could of been the type of air fryer. It was good. Made a salad and cut the chicken up in the salad.
I love receiving your recipes for airfyer. I like to use my airfyer for
Making healthy meals. Especially since my husband had open heart surgery, now we have to watch sodium intake. So if you have any recipes for low sodium it qreatly appreciated. Next ? Can I just 2 chicken breast and leave out salt? How long should it be cooked with 2 chicken breast instead of 4
Hope to hear from you soon
Hi Pamela, I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying the recipes! Feel free to adjust the amount of salt in the recipes or sub in low sodium ingredients to fit your needs. For this recipe, you can use the same cook time as listed when cooking 2 chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are thin, you can start checking the temperature for doneness around the 15 minute mark. Enjoy!
I have 2 5.8 air fryers. After buying the first I knew I needed a second for the cabin. Just couldn’t live without it. I love them. I am retired and have taken up a new interest in cooking with a Cosori air fryer. I love your posts with recipes and cooking tips. My biggest problem is cooking in batches. We love your zucchini crispy fried followed up with crispy chicken tenders. It’s getting the timing right that is my issue. I’m not jumping up and down. Any suggestions? Do I need 2 air fryers in the home? Thank you
I do have multiple air fryers, mainly because I love to test them and see how they work. When it comes to using both at the same time, I rarely do this and I prefer to cook in batches if I need to (we just eat what’s already done while the next batch is cooking). If it’s just you in the home or one more person, I do think just one air fryer is sufficient enough. You can do half and half in the air fryer or cook one in after the other and just reheat the first food you cooked for a few minutes in the end so everything is hot.
Love my airfryer 😎
I do have a question though. When using the airfryer when do you bake vs airfry? Seems like all the recipes just say to put the food, ex. Chicken breast, into airfryer at 380 degrees and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Hi Ronnie, great question! All of my recipes use the air fry option on an air fryer. The bake option will make it cook more like an oven as opposed to air frying.
I have a Vortex Mini, n I’ve had the same question, Ronnie. Thank you so much for explaining it Samantha.