Our air fryer chicken breast recipe is the fastest way to prepare incredible, juicy chicken breasts! Forget the oven – your air fryer will have this mouthwatering chicken on your table in only 20 minutes!
“We made these for dinner last night and I had to come back today to tell you how delicious they were!!”
Recipe Overview
This air fryer chicken breast recipe does not require any brining or marinating, so it’s fast and easy. Air fried chicken is a versatile dish that can be the star of your dinner, or cooked to use later in recipes or for meal prep.
Breaded chicken breast in the air fryer is delicious, but I think that you’ll find that this recipe for air fried chicken breast is just as good, and without the extra calories that breadcrumbs add.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast is faster to make than baked chicken breast, and tastier too. Juicy air fryer chicken breast is flavorful and perfect.
Use this method to cook all types of boneless skinless chicken, including chicken tenders, chicken cutlets, or chicken breast strips.
This easy air fryer chicken recipe pairs perfectly with fresh greens and rice, or a flavorful Roasted Red Pepper Risotto.
Ingredients you’ll Need
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are easy to find in the grocery store and are exactly what you need for this recipe. You can use whole chicken breasts, thin cutlets, or even tenderloins with this recipe, just adjust the cooking time for thinner pieces.
- Cornstarch: A small amount of cornstarch helps to create a thin, crispy outer layer on these air fryer chicken breasts without making them bready.
- Garlic Powder: I use garlic powder in almost every chicken recipe. It’s a perfect pairing.
- Paprika: This spice adds a bit of color and a warm flavor to the chicken breasts.
- Oregano: I like dried oregano as a chicken seasoning. Feel free to swap it out for basil, thyme, or Italian Seasoning.
- Oil: Any type of mild flavored oil can be used in this recipe. The oil helps to brown the chicken and allows the seasonings to stick to it. Try olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.
- Optional: Season your chicken with kosher salt and fresh black pepper to your tastes.
Steps to Make it
- Start by trimming off unwanted pieces from your boneless skinless chicken breasts. Simply snip excess fat, skin, and cartilage off using a good pair of kitchen shears and discard.
- Combine the cornstarch and spices together in a shallow bowl.
- Coat the chicken evenly with a thin layer of oil, then sprinkle with the spice and cornstarch mixture.
- Line your air fryer basket with foil or parchment, and place the seasoned chicken breasts on top.
- Cook chicken breast in your air fryer for 16-18 minutes at 350 degrees. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure that it cooks thoroughly.
- Let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes, then slice, plate, and dig in!
How to tell when it’s done
It is super important to take food safety measures when cooking chicken!
Undercooked chicken can harbor bacteria and cause illnesses, so it’s imperative that you cook your chicken to the right temperature!
While it may be tempting to eyeball it, I recommend playing it safe and using a meat thermometer.
Chicken should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F at the thickest part of the cutlet (or 74°C).
The cook time for air fryer chicken breast will vary from what is listed in this recipe, depending on the thickness and size of your chicken breasts.
be sure to Let it Rest
When you cook chicken, the moisture inside of it moves toward the outer surface of the meat. If you cut into it right away, all of the moisture will be released, leaving dry chicken.
Letting the meat rest for about 5 minutes gives the juices time to redistribute into the meat so they won’t be lost when cutting.
Make sure your Chicken browns
If your chicken doesn’t look like these photos, it’s possible that you missed a step or ingredient somewhere. Adding oil to the chicken breast before air frying is the most important way to get browning.
You may also not see browning if your chicken has too much moisture. Pat it dry with paper towels before adding the oil and seasonings next time.
Is air fryer chicken healthy?
Because air frying uses very little, if any, cooking oil, it adds only a minimal amount of additional fat when cooking.
Traditionally fried foods are immersed in oil, and it can often be difficult to drain off the excess.
Air frying eliminates a significant amount of the extra fat and calorie content that traditional frying adds, so it’s considered a much more desirable cooking method.
There are a few other ways to reduce excess fat and calorie content when air frying chicken breasts.
- Consider using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, as directed in this recipe. Or make Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins.
- Sugary glazes can be swapped for flavorful seasoning mixes as well.
What you’re left with is juicy, filling chicken that is packed with protein and so good for you!
Cooking frozen Chicken?
I suggest thawing your chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. It cooks more evenly and faster that way. However, if you forgot to thaw the chicken, you can cook it from frozen.
Cook the chicken without any seasoning for 5 minutes to partially thaw it. Then carefully remove it and season with oil, cornstarch, and seasonings as directed in the recipe. Continue cooking as directed in the recipe, being sure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. Increase the time as needed.
FAQs
If you don’t have corn starch you can replace it with all-purpose flour, or feel free to just leave it out. The chicken will still be delicious without any added starch or flour.
The air fryer is the perfect way to cook raw chicken breasts. If you usually use your air fryer to make frozen foods, you’ll be amazed at how well it cooks fresh foods like chicken too.
See my recipe that is specific to making Ninja Foodi Chicken Breasts for the details.
You can make Ninja Foodi Chicken Thighs, or a Whole Chicken in the Ninja Foodi too!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
- oil
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by trimming off any excess fat and unwanted pieces.
- Mix the spices and cornstarch together in a bowl.
- Coat the chicken breasts with oil or cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the spice & cornstarch mixture on the chicken.
- Place a piece of parchment or foil in the bottom of your air fryer basket. Place the chicken on top of that.
- Air fry the chicken for 16-18 minutes at 350°F/177°C, flipping the chicken breasts halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken reaches a minimum of 165°F/74°C.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing & plating.
Notes
- Season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.
- Use any light flavored oil, or spray oil to coat the chicken.
- Each air fryer will run a bit differently. Temps and time may vary.
- Make sure that your chicken is cooked through. It must be 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
- The chicken breasts I used in this recipe were 1 inch thick.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings in this recipe. Other herbs and spices can be added.
Nutrition
Air Fryer Chicken Breast sound like a very healthy version. This chicken look flavorful and easy to make too.
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out our Air Fryer Chicken Breast! The air fryer is a wonderful way to cook chicken breast. It is super easy to make and the chicken is juicy and tender!
This is one of the few recipes I hadn’t tried on this site yet. I saw a comment in my Seniors Air Fryer Group that was labeling this recipe in a negative way. I knew I needed to try it to set the record straight (I love this site) and maybe I could help to problem solve for the person. Well I made it. It turned out great. I had zero problem. The chicken was moist and juicy. I used a meat thermometer. Unsure what the lady did in this FB group but when I made it, it turned out GREAT!
Thank you to this site for all the hard work they put in. I know it’s not easy. I know sometimes it’s hard. Please keep doing what you are doing!
Thanks Deb, that is so kind. Yes, I saw that comment. I am not sure what happened to be honest. Each air fryer runs a bit different. I am unsure. I am so glad it worked out for you and others who have tried it!
We always make chicken breast in our air fryer. It’s so juicy.
So glad you already know about how wondering chicken in the air fryer is! Who would have thought Air Fryer Chicken would be so easy to make!?
That chicken breast looks so tender, delicious and flavourful. I love cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer.
Yes, I love making chicken in the air fryer as well. It does make the chicken so tender!
Love my air fryer! Everything I have made in mine has turned out great! Chicken is really easy!
Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! So glad you loved our air fryer chicken breast. I agree that chicken is so easy in the air fryer!
Healthy and delicious, and the seasoning is perfect!
Thank you so much Alison! So glad you were able to try our air fryer chicken this week! The seasoning is so simple, yet so amazing!
Ohh I have all the ingredients I’m going to try it tonight!
Fantastic! Be sure to come back and let us know how your air fryer chicken breast turned out!
What did you use as a liner for meat? Is it butcher paper? Or special lining?
Hello Zhanna! I switch between parchment paper and foil 🙂 . These work great on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SE8PRh
This chicken breast recipe was the first thing that I cooked in my air fryer. I gave it five stars because it was so moist and absolutely delicious.
Thanks Sarah, we are SO glad you loved our Air Fryer Chicken Breast!
Perfect taste and texture. Simple.
Yay, thank you for coming back and letting us know how your air fryer chicken turned out! Glad you loved it!
Made great chicken sandwiches! Will definitely use this one again.
Hi Diane! Thanks for coming back and leaving a comment after you’ve tried this air fryer chicken breast recipe! So glad to hear you liked them and they made good chicken sandwiches!
I used this recipe yesterday to air fry my chicken & also did a batch of mushrooms using another one of your recipes. Both my chicken & mushrooms are so very hard to quit nibbling on, nummy to my tummy! Today I’ll be doing a batch of jalapenos! So many recipes, so little time….
Jim Steele, Sr.
You are on a roll Jim! So glad you loved this air fryer chicken breast recipe! We love it too! Mushrooms are delish in the air fryer as well and I do have to say jalapenos in the AF are so YUMMM!
Absolutely delicious!!
My air fryer has yet to disappoint me!
This turned out so good & juicy. I seasoned my chicken breast & lightly sprayed them with olive oil cooking spray, Rice w gandules & potato salad on the side.
I will never put chicken breast in the oven or frying pan again.
Rachel, you are making me hungry with your description!! YUMMMMO what delicious side dishes! So glad you loved this air fryer chicken breast recipe! WE love it too! Thanks for coming back and letting us know!
Every time I make this recipe they breasts come out moist and never dry. I try to make chicken in the air fryer because it doesn’t heat the house like the oven does and when I am not making chicken tenders this is my go-to for breasts.
I love this recipe because you can always customize it and add your favorite seasons too.
Hi Sydney, I agree, I love making food in the air fryer because it doesn’t heat up the house. Especially with the temps being so hot lately! Thank you for letting us know you loved the air fryer chicken breast. It is great to be able to customize with spices!
WOW thanks to you guys
The recipe are real
Much love from air fry
Thank you Chris! Thanks for being such a big fan of our site!
Best recipes from airfryers
Thank you Chris! Thanks for being such a big fan of our site!
I really made this
Thanks guys
Without you I wouldn’t have learn that ❤️
Hello Betty! So glad you made it and enjoyed it! I appreciate your support! Thanks for coming back and letting us know how it turned out! We are happy to help you in your air fryer journey!
Made a boneless chicken breast. Best ever! Cooked well on outside and inside was moist and tender. Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Cheryl! Thank you so much! I am so glad you came back to let us know. It is very helpful for other readers! So glad it was cooked well on the outside and inside too!
We made these for dinner last night and I had to come back today to tell you how delicious they were!!
So glad you came back to tell us, glad you liked it!
These turned out great! Thank you for making it easy!
Hi Betty, you are welcome!
Should salt be added to the spices?
Hello! You can add salt to the spice mixture if you’d like. Sometimes I use garlic salt instead of garlic powder. You can adjust it to what you like 🙂 Be sure to check with a meat thermometer incase it finishes up early. The cooking time may vary between different air fryers and sizes of the chicken 🙂
Can I just say how I LOVE this recipe?! Personally, I wouldn’t change a thing flavour-wise, as this really hits the spot for me. I’m not one for heat/spicy food, but this is perfect!
Thanks for this recipe – I’ll definitely be looking out for more from you!
Oh, and I saw in a Facebook group that foil pie pans can be used in the air fryer! If anyone doesn’t want to have to scrub their air fryer basket, get some of these – they’re a game changer! <3
Hi Natalie! Thank you SO much for your kind review! I am glad it hits the spot! Yes, our facebook group is filled with lots of first hand tip and tricks from our all wonderful members!