How to Cook Juicy and Tender Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer

by

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a quick and healthy way to cook meals. One of the best things to make in an air fryer is chicken breast. Air frying chicken breasts results in juicy, tender chicken with a crispy exterior in a fraction of the time it takes to bake or grill.

Benefits of Cooking Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer

Using an air fryer to cook chicken breast is better than other methods in a number of ways:

  • Cooks Faster: Chicken breasts take 25 to 30 minutes to cook in the oven, but only 10 to 15 minutes. While the hot air quickly crisps up the outside, it keeps the inside juicy and tender.

  • Uses Less Oil – Only a small amount of oil is needed to brush onto the chicken to help it get crispy Much less oil is used compared to pan frying or deep frying,

  • Juicy and Tender Results – The air fryer traps in moisture while the high heat caramelizes the outside. Chicken breasts cooked in an air fryer are exceptionally juicy and tender.

  • Easy to clean up: Because not much oil is used, there is less mess and splatter than with other forms of cooking. Air fryer baskets also wipe clean very easily.

  • More Consistent Results – The hot air circulates all around the chicken cooking it evenly on all sides. You don’t have to worry about undercooked or overcooked spots.

How to Cook Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked chicken breasts in the air fryer every time:

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • Seasonings of choice (salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, etc.)

Directions:

  1. Dry the chicken breasts with paper towels, and then use a fork to make holes in both sides of them. This helps the seasoning penetrate better.

  2. Brush both sides of the chicken with oil. This adds flavor and helps the outside get crispy.

  3. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with your desired seasonings. Popular options are salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.

  4. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not overlapping.

  5. Set the air fryer temperature to 390°F. Cook for 5 minutes.

  6. Flip the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes more, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. The rest time allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat.

Tips for the Best Results:

  • Brining the chicken for 30 minutes in saltwater before cooking helps keep it extra juicy.

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook chicken breasts in a single layer.

  • Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature. Cook to 165°F for food safety.

  • Let chicken rest before slicing for juicier meat.

  • Flip chicken halfway through cooking for even browning.

  • Coat the basket with nonstick spray for easier cleanup.

  • Adjust cook times based on the size of the breasts. Larger ones may need a couple extra minutes.

  • Chicken breasts pair well with roasted veggies or can be sliced and added to salads.

With just a quick brush of oil and seasoning, you can enjoy restaurant-quality chicken breast from your air fryer any night of the week. The air fryer makes it so easy to get tender, juicy results in way less time than using your oven.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipes

Beyond the basic seasoned chicken breast, there are lots of fun ways to use an air fryer to add flavor and make delicious chicken recipes.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

  • Pound chicken breasts to flatten
  • Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over breasts
  • Sprinkle with minced garlic, parsley, pepper
  • Air fry 10-12 minutes at 390°F

Buffalo Chicken Breast

  • Brush chicken with hot sauce
  • Sprinkle with ranch seasoning
  • Air fry as directed
  • Toss with more buffalo sauce before serving

Chicken Parmesan

  • Bread chicken breasts with seasoned panko breadcrumbs
  • Air fry until crispy, about 12 minutes
  • Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese
  • Broil 2 minutes to melt cheese

Jerk Chicken

  • Marinate chicken in jerk seasoning, lime juice, oil, garlic for 30 min
  • Cook as directed, 10-12 minutes
  • Garnish with sliced green onions

Crispy Ranch Chicken

  • Brine chicken for 30 minutes
  • Coat with mayonnaise and ranch seasoning
  • Air fry until golden brown and crispy

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the variety of flavors you can add to basic air fried chicken breasts. Use your favorite sauces, rubs, and seasoning blends to customize them.

Air frying is a quick and healthy cooking method that results in juicy, tender chicken breast with very little oil needed. The circulating hot air cooks the chicken fast while keeping it moist inside. Follow the simple steps to cook chicken breasts to perfection in your air fryer. Then get creative with different seasonings and recipes. Air fried chicken is sure to become a new family favorite.

how do you cook chicken breast in air fryer

No Air Fryer? Pan-Fry Instead!

If you don’t have an air fryer, have no fear. People were making fried chicken before air fryers were invented!.

If I don’t have an air fryer, I like to cook my fried chicken in a cast iron skillet. The chicken should be fried at 350°F for about 8 minutes on each side. The oil should only come up about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in the pan. Check the meat’s temperature to ensure doneness, but the pieces will be golden brown and wonderful!.

how do you cook chicken breast in air fryer

Why Air Fry?

There are two reasons why you might want to make air fried chicken instead of classic fried chicken.

  • In the first place, air-frying is better for your health than deep-frying or pan-frying. I do suggest lightly spraying the fried chicken with oil before and during air-frying, but you don’t cover the pieces in oil completely. As a result, they absorb less oil during the process.
  • For me though, the bigger advantage is time savings. To use the air fryer, just flip the switch for 30 seconds. It’s also much easier to clean up than big pots of hot oil.

There are some recipes that I don’t think adapt well to the air fryer, but fried chicken works really well. The chicken will come out crispy and browned. It’s definitely worth a try!.

how do you cook chicken breast in air fryer

The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Breast In 8 MINUTES | SUPER JUICY!!

FAQ

How long would it take to cook a chicken breast in the air fryer?

Roll each oiled chicken breast in the seasoning and put in your air fryer basket. Cook at 180C for 18-20 mins, turning after 10 mins. Prick the thickest part of the chicken with a knife to see if the juices run clear. This means the chicken is done. Or insert a temperature thermometer and it should read 70C.

How to cook chicken breast in an air fryer without drying it out?

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.

How do you air fry chicken breast?

Air fry. Lay the chicken out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. The basket on my air fryer, which I love, is very roomy. Air fry chicken breast until the internal temperature reaches 163-165 degrees F. TIP: Leave space between chicken breasts.

How long to cook chicken breast in air fryer?

You just need to season some oil and put some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in it. Then, heat them up in the air fryer. You’ll be good to go in about 20 minutes. Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Breasts.

Can you cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen bone in chicken breast in the air fryer. Your cooking time and temperature will differ. You will have to cook it in a lower heat for a longer time so the skin or the outer edges don’t burn before the chicken is well cooked on the inside. You can cook it at 180° for 30 to 35 minutes.

Leave a Comment