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.
- 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 !
- 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?
- If you like super juicy baked or roasted chicken, air fryer chicken tastes just as juicy and tender, maybe even more so
- Air frying chicken breasts is faster than roasting/baking
- It’s also more energy efficient because you don’t need to preheat or turn on your oven
- 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.
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.
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
- The best air fryer roasted broccoli
- If you’re tired of frozen fries: Air fryer parmesan wedge fries
- And even dessert: Air fryer donuts
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
- For boneless chicken breasts (skinless or skin on): 12-15 mins @ 400°F
- Remove from the air fryer immediately and let rest for 2 minutes before enjoying.
Question
In some pictures you show foil under the chicken, in others you show chicken directly on the basket. Does it make any difference except for clean up?
I am looking into getting an air fryer and it seems it is not good for a big family
if you’re making food that’s supposed to be crispy, like french fries or breaded chicken, it’s best not to use foil, because there are holes in the basket and they help the air circulate. for things that are juicy like these breasts, i find that foil works for easy clean up. but the difference in how the food cooks is minimal. hope that helps!
Very helpful info to get started on air frying!
I have not tried to follow this yet, but before I do why is the foil in the basket? Do having the foil keep them moist?
hi jeffrey,
you don’t need the foil in the basket, but i find that it does keep it a bit more moist (because the bottom of the chicken is protected from the circulating air of the air fryer) and it’s easier clean up too :) that being said, you don’t need the foil!
This looks very delicious and I’m definitely gonna try it soon. Great site congratulations. Keep in touch and good luck. Alessandro
Amazing! i love it :)
I just recently purchased an Insta Pot Duo Crisp. Air fried chicken breast that wasn’t overcooked.
I can’t wait to try it again.?
Fantastic recipe for bone-in chicken breasts. I have tried others, but this is the best. Try to get large chicken breasts, I cook 2 for us and always enough left over for another meal – like stir fry. Be sure to place the breasts plump/round side down for first half of cooking time. I generally check the temp at about 22 minutes to determine how much more time. Honestly, these are wonderfully seasoned and incredibly juicy !
I don’t know how I lived all these years without an air fryer. A day seldoms passes without me using it for breakfast (bacon, sausage, eggs); lunch (grill cheese or anything toasted); and dinner options are countless. Not to mention 4 minutes tops for nachos – barely ever a mess, such an easy cleanup, just wipe and clean. Love this chicken bone-in recipe, it turned out superb!
Hi, can you put anything in with the chicken breast as the cook? Like fingerling potatoes or brussel sprouts? or do they need to be cooked separately.
you can absolutely put stuff in with the chicken breast if your air fryer has the room!