Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (medium size, around 8 oz each); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal recommended); ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve ever sunk your teeth into a dry, rubbery piece of chicken and sworn off home cooking forever—pause right there. I promise you, this isn’t that. This air fryer chicken breast recipe gives you juicy, tender, flavorful results every single time. No fancy ingredients, No brining and No mystery. Just solid chicken that works for lunch, dinner, meal prep, and everything in between.

Oh, and did I mention it’s keto, Whole30-friendly, and takes less than 20 minutes? Let’s get into it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Cooking Time by Size
Resting & Food Safety
Undercooked? Here’s What to Do
When to Add Vegetables
Seasoning Variations
Marinade Ideas
Sauce Pairings
What to Serve With It
Storing Leftovers
Reheating Tips
Meal Prep Tips
FAQ
Tools We Recommend
Let’s Wrap It Up

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & hassle-free (hello, busy weeknights)
Super juicy with zero brining
Perfect for keto, low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 diets
Pairs with basically everything
Great for meal prep and leftovers

Ingredients

Here’s your basic lineup:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (medium size, around 8 oz each)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal recommended)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano

Optional Seasoning Swaps:

Cajun spice mix
Italian seasoning
Chicken wing dry rub

Need more flavor inspiration? Try this garlic-forward variation with a saucy twist.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Step-by-Step:

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (some models don’t require preheating, but it helps with consistency).
Pat your chicken dry with paper towels. No one likes soggy skin.
Make a quick paste: Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano in a small bowl.
Coat the chicken evenly on both sides.
Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry at 370°F:
- 5–7 oz breasts: ~14 minutes
- 8–9 oz: ~16 minutes
- 10+ oz: ~18 minutes
Flip halfway through (yes, this is key).
Check temp: Internal temp should read 160°F. It’ll hit the safe 165°F after resting.
Rest for 5 minutes tented with foil before slicing.

No thermometer? No problem. Slice the thickest part—if the juices run clear and it’s not pink, you’re good.

Cooking Time by Size

Chicken Size	Weight	Cook Time
Small	5–7 oz	14 minutes
Medium	8–9 oz	16 minutes
Large	10+ oz	18 minutes

Resting & Food Safety

You want your chicken juicy, not sad and stringy. Pull it at 160°F and let it sit under foil for 5 minutes. Carryover heat will do its thing and bring it up to 165°F—safe and juicy.

Undercooked? Here’s What to Do

No panic necessary. Just return the chicken to the air fryer for 2–3 more minutes. Easy.

When to Add Vegetables

Want a one-basket dinner? Toss in veggies halfway through cooking. Great options:

Asparagus
Zucchini
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts

Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper first. They’ll roast beautifully while your chicken finishes.

Seasoning Variations

Want something new every week?

Italian: Add basil, thyme, and oregano.
Cajun: Bring the heat with cayenne and paprika.
Chicken wing rub: Who says that flavor’s only for wings?

Craving a spicy-sweet alternative? Check out this bold bang bang chicken bowl.

Marinade Ideas

Got time to marinate overnight? Go for it!

Italian dressing: Easy and flavorful
Lemon yogurt marinade: Extra tender
Citrus + garlic: Bright and punchy

Just pat dry before air frying to avoid steam.

Sauce Pairings

You can dress this chicken up however you like:

Creamy mushroom sauce
White BBQ sauce
Peruvian-style green sauce

For a creamy and herbaceous spin, try this garlic herb chicken recipe.

What to Serve With It

A few rock-solid sides:

Golden brown air fryer chicken breasts sliced and served with lemon, displayed in two stacked panels.

Sliced juicy air fryer chicken breasts with lemon wedges, shown in three close-up shots on a clean white plate.

Storing Leftovers

Fridge: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly and store up to 3 months. Label with date!

Reheating Tips

Keep it juicy:

Skillet: Add a splash of water or broth, cover, and heat gently.
Air Fryer: Reheat at 325°F for 3–4 minutes.
Microwave: Use a damp paper towel over chicken on a plate.

Meal Prep Tips

Cook 4–6 breasts in one batch.
Slice and portion with grains, greens, or pasta.
Swap sauces and veggies to keep it fresh all week.

Make your weeknight meal rotation even easier with these chicken breast recipes.

FAQ

Can I cook raw chicken in the air fryer?

Yep. That’s what we’re doing here.

Why is my air fryer chicken dry?

Likely overcooked. Use a thermometer!

Do I need to flip the chicken?

Yes, halfway through.

Do I need to brine it?

Nope. This dry rub is magic on its own.

How do I keep it juicy?

Don’t overcook. Let it rest. Trust the process.