Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

If you want juicy, air fryer chicken breasts are the way to go. No more dry meat, just juicy, moist, perfectly cooked chicken breasts every time.

Air fryer chicken breasts are juicy, quick, and never dry. I usually meal prep a bunch of chicken breasts at the beginning of the week (especially if I have a really busy week) and I find that the air fryer is the best, most consistent way to make them. I then use the cooked chicken breasts in salads, wraps, burritos, tacos, sandwiches, noodle bowls, pasta, or even on their own as a no-carb snack.

How long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?

• Boneless chicken breasts: Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 mins, depending on size, flipping halfway.
• Bone in chicken breasts: Air fry at 400°F for 25-28 mins, depending on size, flipping halfway.
• Frozen boneless chicken breasts: Air fry from frozen at 360°F for 25-30 mins, depending on size, flipping halfway.

You want to air fry the breasts until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or until the juices run clear. Chicken breasts come in all sizes and thickness, so it’s best to get an instant read thermometer to make sure that they reach 165°F.

After the chicken breasts are done, remove from the air fryer immediately (otherwise they’ll start to overcook) and let rest for 2 minutes before enjoying!

How to make air fryer chicken breast

How to air fry ALL the chicken breasts: boneless skinless chicken breasts, boneless skin on chicken breast, bone in skinless chicken breast, and bone in skin on chicken breast.

1. Season. Place the breasts in a bowl and season with a drizzle of oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. The oil helps conduct heat and seasoning adds flavor. Feel free to use your favorite chicken seasoning, like these !
2. Air fry. Place the chicken in the air fryer in a single layer and air fry, flipping halfway through, until the internal temp reaches 165°F. (See below for times)

Why make air fryer chicken breast?

1. If you like super juicy baked or roasted chicken, air fryer chicken tastes just as juicy and tender, maybe even more so
2. Air frying chicken breasts is faster than roasting/baking
3. It’s also more energy efficient because you don’t need to preheat or turn on your oven
4. Super easy cleanup

Bone-in skin-on vs. boneless skinless

Both work: if you care about presentation and want really pretty chicken breasts, use skin on, bone in chicken breasts because the skin crisps up beautifully and also self-bastes the meat underneath. The bone in helps it keep it’s shape. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are delicious as well though – I use them in a huge amount of recipes and they are my go to.

The secret to juicy air fryer chicken breast

The secret to juicy air fryer chicken breasts is…there is no secret! Well, there is a secret, actually, it’s to not over cook them. Definitely invest in an instant read thermometer, it will ensure that your chicken is cooked to the right temp every time. If you over cook your chicken breast you’ll end up with dry chicken. Sometimes I even pull breasts out when they reach 155-160°F because the carry over heat while the breasts are resting will bring them up to 165°F. The best kind of thermometer is a thermocouple style, but you don’t have to spring for the fancy expensive ones: this one is nice and inexpensive and still super fast.

The other tip I have is, letting the breasts rest a bit before slicing or shredding. Letting them rest for 2 minutes will let the juices settle, keeping the breasts juicy, instead of spilling everything out on to the plate. Also, I like putting the rounded side of the breast down first (the side that would have had the skin on it) so that when it’s flipped over, the presentation side gets a bit more time to brown.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer for chicken breasts?

Unlike using a regular oven, you don’t need to preheat the air fryer, which means dinner gets on the table faster.

Do you need to flip the chicken in the air fryer?

Technically you don’t need to because the air in an air fryer circulates around, but for even crispiness and presentation, I recommend it. Start cooking the chicken rounded side down then flip it to finish rounded side up so it looks pretty and golden.

What can I serve with air fried chicken breasts?

Since you have the air fryer out, why not try:

• Air fryer asparagus
• Air fryer brussels sprouts
• Air fryer roasted broccoli
• Air fryer parmesan wedge fries

How do I reheat chicken breasts in the air fryer?

To reheat already cooked chicken breasts in the air fryer, let the breasts heat up at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Juicy chicken breasts in air fryer deliciousness.

Serves 2

4.82 from 11 votes

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Ingredients

• 2-3 chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Special Equipment

• air fryer

Instructions

• In a bowl, toss the chicken breasts with oil, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
  
• Place the breasts, without overlapping, rounded side down and air fry per the temperatures and times below, flipping halfway, or until the the internal temperature reaches 165°F or until the juices run clear.

  • For boneless chicken breasts (skinless or skin on): 12-15 mins @ 400°F
  • For bone in chicken breasts (skinless or skin on): 25-28 mins @ 400°F
  • For frozen boneless chicken breasts (skinless or skin on): 25-30 mins @ 360°F

  (All times dependent on size)
  
• Remove from the air fryer immediately and let rest for 2 minutes before enjoying.
  

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 163 Calories from Fat 98

% Daily Value*

Fat 10.9g17%

Saturated Fat 2.1g13%

Cholesterol 41mg14%

Sodium 35mg2%

Potassium 148mg4%

Carbohydrates 1.3g0%

Fiber 0.3g1%

Sugar 0.4g0%

Protein 14.9g30%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.