Seasoned outside and tender inside, this juicy chicken breast defies the (often justified) stereotypes that come along with boneless, skinless chicken breast—namely that it is rubbery, dry, bland, and something to be eaten out of an obligation to be “healthy,” versus actual craving.
With one simple tip, you can transform your chicken breast into a juicy, versatile protein that is ideal for keeping on hand for fast, healthy meals throughout the week.
Ever since getting my air fryer a few months ago, I’ve become hooked.
An air fryer is a high-powered, countertop convection oven that blows hot air down and around the food to cook it. It’s more versatile than I expected!
Since chicken breast is lean, it benefits from high-temperature baking for a shorter period of time, and the air fryer offers it in spades.
After testing a variety of temperatures, I found that 375 degrees F is the best temperature for air frying chicken.
Because the air fryer uses convection heat, you do not need to set it as high as you would an oven (in a regular oven, 425 degrees F is best for baking chicken, like Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast).
My other secret to juicy chicken is DO NOT OVERCOOK THE CHICKEN BREAST. I really cannot overstate this.
If your air fryer chicken breast is dry, it is mostly likely because you overcooked it.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
The BEST juicy air fryer chicken breast. Golden outside, moist and tender inside and seasoned to perfection. Enjoy on its own or use for meal prep.
Prep: 35min
Total: 48min
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1 small, 6-ounce chicken breast (of 2)
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 small, 6-ounce chicken breast (of 2), calories 237 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 36 g, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 109 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instruction:
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound into an even thickness.
- To Dry Brine*: Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle all over with the kosher salt. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day—if you will not be dry brining, skip this step.
- When ready to air fry: remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (if you did not dry brine the chicken, add the salt now)
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top. Toss to coat the chicken, ensuring you rub the spices evenly over both sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (my model takes 3 minutes to heat). Place the chicken presentation side (smooth side) down in the air fryer and let cook 6 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket, then with tongs, carefully flip the chicken over. Continue cooking until the chicken registers between 155 and 160 degrees F, 2 to 8 minutes more. Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165 degrees F, but I like to remove mine a few degrees early, then let the carryover cooking finish the job. The total cook time will vary based on your model and the size of your chicken. Smaller breasts (about 6 ounces each) will need only around 8 minutes total; larger ones may need 14 or more. Check the chicken often towards the end to monitor its progress. DO NOT overcook or it will be dry.
- Remove the chicken to a plate. Cover and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Breast In 8 MINUTES | SUPER JUICY!!
FAQ
Can I put raw chicken in the air fryer?
How long does chicken breast take in an air fryer?
How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
Don’t overcrowd. Cook in batches if you need to. Check: Check the temp earlier than you think so you don’t accidently over cook the chicken. Appliances can vary so go by temperature of your chicken to ensure it’s done.
How long does it take for chicken to cook in the air fryer?
