Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

17 minutes mins

| 14 Comments |

5 from 26 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe yields flavorful, juicy results every single time. It’s so quick and easy to make, you’ll never cook chicken breast any other way!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

I have to be honest: I wasn’t too convinced about the air fryer. So it sat in its box for weeks before I finally unboxed it – and now I’m seriously considering selling our regular oven ?

Everything we have tried so far has been amazing, and I’m especially impressed with how it cooks lean protein. I’ll never cook chicken breast any other way now! It comes out browned and flavorful on the outside, perfectly juicy on the inside… And it’s so hands off, a real weeknight winner!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Chicken breast: I used two chicken breasts that weighed ½ pound each. If yours are larger or smaller, you will need to adjust the cooking time.
  • Olive oil: This is my preferred oil, but any oil you enjoy cooking with can be used.
  • Italian seasoning: If you don’t have this on hand, try using a different herb mix such as Provencal Herbs, or a single herb such as dried oregano or parsley.

How to air fry chicken breast

1. Start by preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes to 375°F while you prep the chicken:

Coat the raw chicken breast in olive oil – you’ll want to coat the top an the bottom of the chicken breast! Then, rub the spices all over the chicken breasts to evenly coat. Finally, sprinkle with salt and pepper on either side.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)

2. Next, place the chicken in the basket of your air fryer, then air fry for around 12 minutes, depending on the exact size.

The exact time will depend on the specific size of your chicken breast, around 12 minutes is what I do for chicken breasts that weigh ½ pound each.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (5)
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (6)

I like to serve this immediately for maximum juiciness, but the great thing about cooking chicken breast in the air fryer: It stays juicy even when you make it ahead of time!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (7)

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to coat the chicken all around in olive oil and spices. This will ensure maximum browning and flavor everywhere.
  • If you want to check on your chicken during cooking, make sure to read the manual of your specific model to know if it’s OK to open the air fryer while it’s running.
  • If your air fryer is large enough, you can double the recipe (mine is 5.5 quart and I can cook 4 chicken breasts at a time without any issues). Do not overcrowd the air fryer, and do not overlap the chicken.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (8)

Serving ideas

This is a great recipe to use in so many settings! We often have it for lunch over salad. It’s also delicious over pasta with the bruschetta topping from my bruschetta chicken!

But you can also shred it and put it into wraps, or mix it with salsa and use it in tacos. And it’s also great in chicken salad!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (9)

More easy chicken recipes

  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Southwestern Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup
  • Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (14)

Save Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe yields flavorful, juicy results every single time. It’s so quick and easy to make, you’ll never cook chicken breast any other way!

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 26 votes

Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 12 minutes mins

Total 17 minutes mins

Servings 2 chicken breasts

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast I had two pieces that weighed around ½ pound each
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • salt & pepper to taste (I use about ¼ teaspoon salt, maybe a little more)

Instructions

  • Heat air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.

  • In the meantime, coat chicken with olive oil on both sides . Combine Italian season, onion powder, garlic powder and ground paprika in a small bowl. Rub all over chicken. Finally, sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

  • Place chicken in the basket of your air fryer. Close, then cook at 375°F for around 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.

  • Serve the chicken immediately for maximum juiciness.

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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Chicken breast: I used two chicken breasts that weighed ½ pound each. If yours are larger or smaller, you will need to adjust the cooking time.
  • Olive oil: This is my preferred oil, but any oil you enjoy cooking with can be used.
  • Italian seasoning: If you don’t have this on hand, try using a different herb mix such as Provencal Herbs, or a single herb such as dried oregano or parsley.

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to coat the chicken all around in olive oil and spices. This will ensure maximum browning and flavor everywhere.
  • If you want to check on your chicken during cooking, make sure to read the manual of your specific model to know if it’s OK to open the air fryer while it’s running.
  • If your air fryer is large enough, you can double the recipe (mine is 5.5 quart and I can cook 4 chicken breasts at a time without any issues). Do not overcrowd the air fryer, and do not overlap the chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breastCalories: 289kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 49gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 265mgPotassium: 891mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 331IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (15)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Jeanette says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (18)
    Ok, I admit- I was sure the chicken would dry out. It was the juiciest most fabulous piece of chicken I have ever eaten!

    Reply

  2. Susan Root says

    Ma’am, I can’t believe how juicy this chicken is. Chickens are so dry this one is so good.

    Reply

  3. Amy says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (19)
    I tried this recipe out today and my family absolutely loves it! Super easy and delicious! Will def. make this often!

    Reply

  4. Anna says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (20)
    I made this last week and we loved it! I’m making it again tonight at his request. Super Juicy!

    Reply

  5. Mary Jane Watson says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (21)
    Great chicken that is very moist.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Mary Jane!

      Reply

  6. Billy Riemenschneider says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (22)
    Very good thank you

    Reply

  7. Margret says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (23)
    Loved it, so easy to make.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Margret!

      Reply

  8. Clive says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (24)
    Wow. Thank you. You really saved our lunch. My girls really liked it and demanded more. Better than mom‘s ?

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Clive!

      Reply

  9. Michelle says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (25)
    You are right, we will NEVER cook our chicken any other way again! This was beyond perfect!!

    Reply

  10. Angelica says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (26)
    Lovely spices and perfectly cooked on the inside, thank u for sharing

    Reply

  11. TaraLynn says

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (27)
    This come out wonderful! I have tried chicken bread in air fryer before and the cook time form that recipe was way too long. this was perfect, thank you!!!!!!!

    Reply

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

Can you just put raw chicken in an air fryer? ›

To simply make chicken breasts in the air fryer, you should dry the chicken breasts, rub them with some seasoning of your choice and buttermilk or olive oil, and put them in the air fryer preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You should cook the chicken breasts for 7 to 16 degrees depending on the size of the breast.

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

The #1 tip for the best chicken breasts in an air fryer is: Don't overcook them! Chicken breasts should be cooked to 160°F, but if you cook them all the way to that temperature in the air fryer, carryover cooking will take them beyond that temp and cause them to dry out.

Why is chicken rubbery in the air fryer? ›

Just follow the instructions and make sure you keep an eye in the temperature of the chicken in the final minutes. Since the Air Fryer works with convection heat, there is no need to cook chicken at very high temperatures, as it may quickly dry out and turn rubbery.

Why is my chicken not crisping in the air fryer? ›

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

What should you season chicken with? ›

Aside from classics like salt, pepper, basil and garlic, you could try using chilli powder, ginger, cumin, cayenne, paprika, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Do you have to spray chicken with oil in air fryer? ›

While the need for oil in air frying is not as great as when using an oven or frying something on a pan, a small amount of oil can go a long way in keeping your food moist and providing that golden brown color.

What's the best way to cook chicken breast so it doesn't dry out? ›

Her suggestion: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a pan in a single layer, cover with a few inches of liquid (water, broth, etc.), add flavorings (spices, salt, herbs, soy sauce, etc.), then bring the liquid just barely to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat so the liquid simmers.

What is the best way to cook chicken breasts to keep them moist? ›

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

How do I make sure my chicken breast is moist? ›

1) Marinate the chicken in water, wine, or other liquids for up to an hour before cooking. This will tenderize the meat and add flavor. 2) Slowly cook the chicken on low heat with a lid on top for about 15-20 minutes per pound of chicken. The lid prevents the chicken from drying out too much.

Do I need to flip chicken in an air fryer? ›

Even if your air fryer has top-notch air circulation from its fan, you need to give most larger pieces of food (such as pork chops, burgers, and chicken cutlets) a turn about halfway through cooking.

At what temperature do you cook chicken in an air fryer? ›

Place the chicken on the air fryer basket / grate in an even layer, leaving a bit of space for air to circulate around. Air fry the chicken at 415 degrees for 10 minutes. If you have larger pieces of chicken, you'll want to go closer to 13 minutes. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

What is the common problem of an air fryer? ›

Issue: One of the most common problems with air fryers is the unit not heating up as it should, which results in undercooked or unevenly cooked food. Solution: Ensure that the air fryer is placed on a flat, stable surface. Also, make sure the basket is securely inserted and that the food is not overcrowded.

What happens if you don't use oil in an air fryer? ›

The air fryer uses a little oil to cook food. This is because the hot air circulates around the food and cooks it evenly. The food does not need to be submerged in oil, as is the case with traditional deep-frying. This makes air frying a healthier alternative to traditional frying.

Is it safe to cook raw meat in an air fryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

How long to air fry just bare chicken? ›

Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Place frozen chicken pieces in basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8 minutes.

Can you put thawed raw chicken in an air fryer? ›

Frozen foods are my favorite ones to cook in air fryer as you do not need to defrost anything. Frozen chicken breast is one of them I always recommend to try. And if you your chicken is already thawed, try our oven-baked chicken cutlets, BBQ chicken breasts in the oven or air fryer breaded chicken breasts.

Can you put raw chicken in air fryer on foil? ›

Make a tin foil packet by folding your edges upward, creating a foil basket. Place your raw chicken breasts or wings in your tin foil basket, and then place your tin foil tray in your air fryer.

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