This air fryer chicken breasts recipe may just be the easiest way to cook tender, juicy chicken breasts. It's ready in under 20 minutes, so it's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and a great way to cook chicken for weekend meal prep. In this recipe, I'll provide step-by-step instructions and tips to help you make these delicious air fryer chicken breasts perfectly every time!
Cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer is a simple, foolproof way to cook tender, juicy, golden-brown chicken breasts. Not only is it great for a quick weeknight dinner, but it's now my go-to method when I'm cooking chicken to top salads or pasta and when I need cooked chicken for casseroles like my chicken and rice casserole.
From start to finish, they're ready in under 20 minutes, with just a few minutes of hands-on time required, and you can use just about any seasoning to suit your tastes.
Why this Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy - These chicken breasts cook in under 15 minutes and only require about 2 minutes of hands-on time.
- Moist and Juicy - Cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer results in moist, juicy chicken with a golden brown exterior.
- Versatile - You can season the chicken with your favorite seasoning, and you can use the cooked chicken for meal prep and tons of other dishes like salads, burrito bowls, and my Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts - I like to use chicken breasts that are around 8 ounces each for this recipe. It's important to adjust the cooking time based on the size of your chicken breasts. Check out the guide below for cook times for different sizes of chicken, but remember, cooking to the proper temperature is the best way to avoid overcooking your chicken.
- Olive Oil - A light coating of olive oil helps the seasoning stick and also helps with browning.
- Seasoning - For this recipe, I use a simple blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, but you can use almost any seasoning you'd like. Just be careful with sugary seasoning like barbecue rub, which can burn.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Air Fry Chicken Breasts
- Season the Chicken - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Rub or brush the chicken with olive oil to lightly coat, then season on all sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken - Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Rest, then Serve - Remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate or cutting board, then loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer and, if it has a timer, set the timer for long enough to cook your chicken.
- If you need to make a larger quantity, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Removing the chicken at 160°F helps avoid overcooking the chicken and keeps them moist and juicy. They will reach the USDA recommended 165°F due to carryover cooking while they rest.
- If you plan ahead, brining the chicken overnight is a great way to infuse it with more flavor and make it even juicier. You can use the same brine recipe from my smoked turkey legs recipe to brine the chicken.
How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer
You will need to adjust the time based on the size of your chicken breasts to ensure perfectly cooked chicken. Here's a quick guide, but remember cooking to a temperature of 160°F is the key to avoid overcooking the chicken and drying it out.
| Size | Time |
|---|---|
| 6-7 ounces | 8-10 minutes |
| 8-10 ounces | 10-12 minutes |
| 11-14 ounces | 12-16 minutes |
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. Cooked chicken breasts can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through or reheat it in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though the heat circulates in air fryers, the heating element is usually at the top of the appliance, so it is best to flip the chicken to ensure even cooking.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in your air fryer. To cook frozen chicken breasts, heat your air fryer to 375°F and cook for 20-25 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are also great in the air fryer. Check out my air fryer boneless chicken thighs recipe for all the details!
More Air Fryer Recipes
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, around 8 ounces each
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Rub or brush the chicken with olive oil to lightly coat, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer to a plate or cutting board, then loosely cover with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
- 6-7 ounces - cook for 8-10 minutes
- 8-10 ounces - cook for 10-12 minutes
- 11-14 ounces - cook for 12-16 minutes
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer and, if it has a timer, set the timer for long enough to cook your chicken.
- If you need to make a larger quantity, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Removing the chicken at 160°F helps avoid overcooking the chicken and keeps them moist and juicy. They will reach the USDA recommended 165°F due to carryover cooking while they rest.
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Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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