Air Fryer Chicken Breast

My go-to healthy recipe for a busy weeknight is air fryer chicken breast because it’s quick, easy, and so delicious! I am always amazed at how tender and juicy the chicken turns out when I make it in the air fryer.

My Easy Recipe For Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

If I had to choose one recipe that makes the kids and my husband happy, no matter how many times I make it, it has to be my air fryer chicken breast.

My kids are 8 and 5, and yes, they are picky eaters just like any other child. I get them to eat a lot of my other recipes I share on my site, but this is my fallback recipe that’s just so easy to cook and make juicy chicken breasts every time.

The perfect part is I can use leftovers for my lunch and have included them in things like salads, stir fries, and even casseroles.

My daughter Leah calls it the “super juicy chicken” and asks for it almost every other week lately. I mean, she’s not wrong and I can’t complain because it’s been making dinner easier!

I use boneless chicken breasts in this recipe as I am teaching my kids how to slice the chicken into pieces, and wow, that has been a humbling experience. If you’re using a bone-in chicken breast, use the directions in this post because it’s also delicious!

Air Fry Chicken Breast Ingredients

• Chicken breasts – I use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe
• Butter –This gives the chicken breast a nice crispiness on the outside. Olive oil will work as well
• Seasoning – A combination of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper adds just the right amount of flavor

Tips and tricks for the best air fried chicken breast

• Preheat the air fryer to ensure the chicken starts cooking immediately. This makes a big difference in the texture, so I never skip this step!
• Coat the chicken well with the butter mixture on both sides. I sometimes use my hands to really rub the butter and spices in!
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. I would rather cook in batches so the hot air can properly circulate.
• Use a meat thermometer to see when the chicken is cooked all the way through. I make sure it reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part. 
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. This is crucial for keeping those juices locked in!

How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave and add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.

STEP THREE: Baste the chicken breasts with the butter mixture on both sides.

STEP FOUR: Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer in a single layer and air fry them for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway until they read 165 degrees F at their thickest point.

STEP FIVE: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

Looking to cook a different cut next time? I’ve got the temps and times for all of them in my full air fryer chicken guide.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Variations and Substitutions

• For a spicy kick, I like to add chili powder or cayenne pepper to the butter and seasoning blend.
• When I want more flavor, I’ll mix in dried herbs like oregano or thyme with some paprika and onion powder before cooking.
• I sometimes brush the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking for a tangy, caramelized finish.
• Switch out the seasoning for taco seasoning. I love to use this for chicken tacos.
• To give the chicken a citrusy punch, I’ll add some lemon zest before cooking.
• For some cheesy goodness, I’ll add a slice of mozzarella to the chicken once it finishes cooking and close the air fryer for 2 minutes to let the residual heat melt it.

Recipes to serve with a chicken breast in the air fryer

Lean protein is great to pair with a tasty veggie for a well-rounded meal! I love serving air fried chicken breast with air fryer asparagus, air fryer carrots, or squash in the air fryer.

I also really enjoy chicken and potatoes together, so I often serve this recipe with air fryer baked potato, air fryer baked sweet potato, or twice baked potatoes.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast FAQs

How long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?

When I air fry chicken breast at 380 degrees F, it’s perfectly cooked in about 10-15 minutes depending on how big and thick the chicken breasts are. I always use a thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest point of the chicken breast.

Can I overlap food in an air fryer?

Some foods like veggies cook okay when overlapped, but I find that raw meat like chicken breast always cooks best in a single layer. If the hot air can’t reach all sides of the chicken where the breasts are stacked, the chicken won’t cook all the way through.

Are air fryer chicken breasts healthy for you?

I consider air fryer chicken breast a healthy recipe! Chicken breast is a great lean protein, and thanks to the air fryer, my recipe doesn’t need very much butter. I would consider my air fryer chicken breast just as healthy as cooking chicken breast in the oven or on the stove, but this way is faster.

How to use Air Fry Chicken Breast

I usually make chicken breast in the air fryer with veggies on the side. However, if you slice it up or if you have leftovers the next day, it’s also amazing in buffalo chicken wraps, chicken salad, southwest chicken wrap, or buffalo chicken sandwich!

For a super easy lunch, I’ll throw some air fried chicken breast over mixed greens and add blue cheese dressing!

How to cook frozen boneless chicken breast in the air fryer

Cooking frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer follows the same process but takes a little more time. I preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F, baste the frozen chicken breasts in the melted butter and seasoning mixture, add them to the air fryer, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. 

I always flip the chicken halfway through and use my instant read thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest point!

How do I reheat chicken breast in the air fryer?

The air fryer is my favorite way to reheat chicken breasts so they stay nice and juicy. I preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, then cook for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked all the way through.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

I always recommend preheating the air fryer before cooking! Just like an oven, preheating the air fryer means the chicken breasts will start cooking as soon as they’re added to the basket, which yields the best results.

Do I need to flip chicken breasts in the air fryer?

Flipping the chicken breasts in the air fryer is another great way to make sure they cook evenly and get nice and browned on all sides. I think it’s worth the tiny bit of extra effort!

How should I store leftover air fryer chicken breast?

I let any extra chicken breasts fully cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. I store them in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days. I also freeze the chicken in a freezer safe bag for up to 4 months.

More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

• Air fryer chicken tenders
• Air fryer fried chicken
• Air fryer chicken legs
• Air fryer chicken cutlets
• Air fryer chicken thighs