Perfectly juicy chicken breast with a golden-brown crust awaits in your air fryer! This 18-minute recipe delivers restaurant-quality results while keeping things healthy at just 301 calories per serving.
With an impressive 49g of protein and only 9g of fat, this air-fried chicken breast fits seamlessly into your balanced diet. The quick 5-minute prep time makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners when you want something nutritious and delicious.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breasts: 3 pieces, each 6-8 ounces, ensuring uniform size for even cooking
- Olive Oil: 2 teaspoons, helps seasonings stick and keeps chicken moist
- Italian Seasoning: 2 teaspoons, adds Mediterranean herbs flavor
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon, provides savory depth
- Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon, adds beautiful color and mild sweetness
- Kosher Salt: 1/4 teaspoon, enhances overall flavors
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, adds perfect seasoning balance
Cooking Instructions
- Preparation: Coat each chicken breast thoroughly with olive oil
- Seasoning: Mix all seasonings in a bowl and generously rub on both sides of chicken
- Initial Cooking: Place in air fryer basket at 390°F/189°C for 9 minutes
- Flipping: Turn chicken breasts over and continue cooking for additional 9 minutes
- Temperature Check: Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Resting: Let chicken rest under foil for 5 minutes before serving
Cooking Techniques
The secret to amazing air fryer chicken breast is getting that perfect balance of juicy inside and golden outside! Rubbing oil on the chicken first helps the seasonings stick better and keeps the meat moist. Don’t skip the 5-minute rest after cooking – this lets all those tasty juices settle back into the meat instead of running out when you cut it.
Checking for Doneness
A meat thermometer is your best friend when cooking chicken! Insert it into the thickest part of the breast – you’re looking for 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part – the meat should be white all the way through, never pink, and the juices should run clear.
Storage Tips
Air fried chicken breast is perfect for meal prep! Let it cool completely, then pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. For easy reheating, slice the chicken first – it’ll warm up more evenly. You can even freeze these chicken breasts for up to 3 months. Just wrap them well in foil and place in a freezer bag.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken is super versatile! Slice it up for sandwiches, dice it for salads, or serve it whole with your favorite sides. It’s amazing with roasted veggies or on top of a fresh green salad. Want to jazz it up? Drizzle with a little lemon juice or your favorite sauce just before serving. Try it with rice, pasta, or quinoa for a complete meal.
Air Fried Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 whole Chicken Breasts 6-8 ounces each
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil.
- Combine the seasonings in a small bowl, then rub on both sides of the chicken.
- Place the breasts in a single layer in the basket and cook at 390F/189C for 9 minutes.
- Flip the breasts over and cook for another 9 minutes, until internal temperature is 165 degrees F. If cooking larger or smaller breasts, be sure to adjust cook time accordingly to avoid under- or over-cooking.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and loosely cover with foil, allowing it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve immediately or use as meal prep.
