These Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are a weeknight dinner game-changer! They’re incredibly easy to make, require just a few simple ingredients, and the air fryer ensures they come out perfectly cooked – juicy on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. I love how this recipe uses a simple yet flavorful spice rub that creates a delicious crust. Say goodbye to dry, boring chicken breasts!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Juicy and Tender: The air fryer cooks the chicken quickly and evenly, locking in the juices for a perfectly tender result.
- Flavorful: The simple spice rub adds a delicious savory flavor to the chicken.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy: Air frying uses significantly less oil than traditional frying or pan-searing.
- Versatile: Serve the chicken breasts whole, sliced, or diced in salads, wraps, pasta dishes, or with your favorite sides.
Ingredients for Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts, equal in size (Meat)
- Olive oil (Oil)
Seasoning
- Dried thyme (or Italian Seasoning) (Herb/Spice Blend)
- Onion powder (Spice)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Ground black pepper (Spice)
- Paprika (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Seasoning: Use your favorite spice blend, such as Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or taco seasoning.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice rub.
- Add Citrus: Add some lemon zest or lime zest to the seasoning mixture for a brighter flavor.
- Use Chicken Thighs: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, adjusting the cooking time slightly.
How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Let me show you how easy it is to make these Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts:
Prepare Spice Rub
- In a large bowl, I combine the olive oil, dried thyme (or Italian Seasoning), onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- I mix everything together.
Season Chicken
- I pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the spice rub to stick more easily.
- Now, I brush the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the chicken.
Preheat Air Fryer
- I preheat the air fryer at 375℉ (190°C) for 5 minutes.
Air Fry
- Next, I add the chicken in a single layer to the air fryer basket.
- I cook for 10 minutes.
- I flip the chicken and cook for 10 minutes more, or until it reaches 165℉ (74°C) internally when poked with a meat thermometer.
Rest and Serve
- I place the chicken on a cutting board or plate and let it rest before slicing. This keeps the juices locked in, making your chicken extra tender and juicy!
- Next, I slice and serve!
Tips and Tricks for the JUICIEST Chicken Breasts
Here are my secrets for making these chicken breasts truly exceptional:
- Use Evenly Sized Chicken Breasts: Choose chicken breasts that are similar in size and thickness, or pound them to an even thickness, to ensure they cook evenly.
- Pat the Chicken Dry: Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning adhere and promotes browning.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Cook the chicken in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. Work in batches if necessary.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure perfectly cooked chicken is to use a meat thermometer. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let it Rest: Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy chicken breast.
How to Serve
These Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Main Course: Serve them whole with your favorite side dishes, like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Salads: Slice or dice the chicken and add it to salads.
- Wraps and Sandwiches: Use the sliced chicken in wraps or sandwiches.
- Pasta Dishes: Add diced chicken to pasta dishes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftover cooked chicken breasts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave, air fryer, or a skillet.
FAQs about Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Can I use bone-in chicken breasts?
- Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time significantly.
- Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
- It’s best to thaw the chicken breasts completely before cooking for even results.
- My chicken breasts are very thick. How long should I cook them?
- Thicker chicken breasts will require a longer cooking time. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F (74°C).
Enjoy these quick, easy, flavorful, and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts! They’re a perfect staple for weeknight dinners and meal prep.
Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Resting Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course, Chicken
- Cuisine: American
Description
Learn how to make perfectly juicy and flavorful chicken breasts in the air fryer! A simple seasoning rub and the quick cooking time of the air fryer result in tender, delicious chicken every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately equal in size and thickness (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or Italian Seasoning)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning Rub: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, dried thyme (or Italian Seasoning), onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well until a paste forms.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning rub adhere better and promotes browning.
- Coat Chicken: Brush or rub the seasoning mixture evenly onto all sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Air Fry Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the chicken breasts over. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and your air fryer model.
- Rest Chicken (Crucial): Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and place them on a cutting board or plate. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This step is essential for keeping the chicken juicy, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Serve
Notes
- Chicken Breast Size: For even cooking, try to use chicken breasts that are similar in size and thickness. If your chicken breasts are very thick, you may want to pound them to a more even thickness (about 3/4 to 1 inch) before seasoning.
- Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your preference. You can add other herbs like rosemary or use different spice blends.
- Doneness: The most accurate way to ensure the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Resting: Don’t skip the resting step! It makes a significant difference in the juiciness of the chicken.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the sliced chicken breast on its own, over salads, in sandwiches, wraps, or with your favorite side dishes.
- Storage: Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.