Crispy, juicy, and infused with irresistible smoky flavors, this Air Fryer Smoky Chicken recipe brings restaurant-quality results to your kitchen in just 21 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this protein-packed dish delivers an impressive 48g of protein while keeping calories sensible at 264 per serving. The air fryer works its magic to create a perfectly seared exterior while maintaining the chicken’s natural juiciness, all with minimal oil and maximum flavor.
Essential Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: 2 pieces, boneless and skinless, ideally at room temperature
- Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon, brings rich smokiness
- Oregano: 1 teaspoon, adds Mediterranean flair
- Garlic Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, perfect for savory depth
- Cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon, adds subtle warmth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Combine smoked paprika, oregano, garlic salt, and cinnamon in a bowl
- Chicken Preparation: Prepare chicken breasts by trimming excess fat if needed
- Seasoning: Gently massage spice mixture onto both sides of chicken breasts
- Air Fryer Setup: Place seasoned breasts in air fryer basket with space between them
- Oil Application: Lightly spritz chicken with oil for perfect crispiness
- Initial Cooking: Air fry at 350°F for 8-9 minutes
- Mid-Cook Check: Flip breasts, spritz again with oil
- Final Cooking: Continue cooking for remaining 8-9 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F
Cooking Techniques
Getting the perfect smoky chicken in your air fryer is super easy! The secret is in the double-spritz method – a light spray of oil before cooking and another when you flip the chicken. This creates a lovely crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
When you’re adding the spices, use your fingers to pat them gently onto the meat rather than just sprinkling them on. This helps them stick better and creates an even coating.
Temperature Tips
Using a meat thermometer is your best friend for this recipe! The magic number is 165°F/73°C – this means your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat. If you don’t have a thermometer yet, cut into the thickest part of the chicken. The meat should be white all the way through with no pink areas.
Serving Suggestions
This smoky chicken is amazing with so many sides! Try it sliced over a fresh garden salad, or pair it with some roasted vegetables (you can make these in your air fryer too!). It’s also great in sandwiches or wraps with fresh lettuce and tomato. For a complete meal, serve it with quinoa or brown rice to soak up all those tasty spices.
Storage Tips
Let your chicken cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge – it’ll stay good for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F/176°C. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Just wrap each piece individually in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag.
Air Fryer Smoky Chicken
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
- Start by mixing all the spices together and set aside.
- Remove chicken breasts from the package. Trim breasts if needed.
- Gently pat the spice mixture into the breasts, flip the chicken breasts and repeat.
- Place the breasts into the air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Spritz with oil (this helps to crisp the spices and outside of the chicken).
- Air Fry the breasts at 350F/176C for 16-18 minutes. Flip breasts midway through the cooking process and spritz again with oil. Cook until the breasts are at 165F/73C. Use a meat thermometer to measure the temp.
