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With this Air Fryer Chicken recipe, I am going to show you how to make the most insanely tender and juicy chicken! The secret? Seasoning and cooking it to perfection, letting the air fryer do its thing. Together, they create a nice golden, crispy outside with a juicy, flavor-packed inside!

Overhead shot of tender and juicy air fryer chicken cooked in the air fryer basket.

A Reader’s Review

I’m a 48 year old foodie who loves cooking and using online recipes. This is the very first review I’ve ever left. I just had to! This chicken is so perfect! I will never make chicken breast any other way. It’s never dry! I’ve shared this recipe with so many friends. Thanks for posting!

Brenda

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy Peasy! The simplicity and quickness of the air fryer is only part of why this recipe is so good. The chicken itself is melt in your mouth delicious! Try my crispy parmesan chicken tenders or air fryer steak next!
  • Tried and True! This is one of my top posts! I always look at the reviews to see if it’s worth making, and I think you’ll find this one definitely is!
  • Make it a meal! and serve your chicken with roasted potatoes, easy corn on the cob, or these delicious air fryer mushrooms! If you don’t have an air fryer…it’s time to get one!

Ingredients Needed

The seasoning in this air fryer chicken recipe is the game-changer! It is the secret ingredient that takes this chicken from simply juicy to absolutely mind-blowing! Every bite is infused with an irresistible flavor that makes this chicken so insanely good.

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.

Let’s Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This air fryer chicken recipe uses ingredients that you most likely already have on hand. This will be your go-to dinner for busy weeknights because it’s so quick and easy!

  1. Coat Chicken Breast: Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  2. Seasoning Blend: In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
  3. Rub: Rub the seasoning onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
  4. Air Fry: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes. Flip the chicken and add Brussels sprouts, if using. Cook for an additional 9 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the tender chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and enjoying!

Cooking Tips for Juicy Air Fryer Chicken

Let’s make the BEST juicy and tender air fryer chicken breasts! The air fryer can work wonders, so here are my tips for making this recipe a success!

  • Perfect crisp on the outside! Olive oil is essential in helping the outside of the chicken get crispy while it air frys. It also ensures the delicious seasonings adhere to the breasts.
  • Avoid overcrowding! Make sure you leave room between the chicken breasts so they can cook evenly. Cook in batches if you need.
  • Check for doneness! Check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer earlier than you think. You don’t want to overcook the chicken. Appliances can vary so go by the temperature of your chicken to ensure it’s done. Once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, take it out.
  • Let it rest! Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the chicken instead of spilling onto your plate.

Flavor & Moisture Boosters

You can use this air fryer chicken recipe for all sorts of dishes. Whenever a recipe calls for cooked chicken, this is my go-to!

  • Mix it up! Depending on your menu, you can use Mexican spices, BBQ spices, sauce, Indian spices, etc. Whatever your menu calls for, this is a quick, delicious way to cook your chicken.
  • Lock in Moisture! Want to make sure your chicken is super moist and tender? Try marinating or brining your chicken for even greater juiciness and flavor.
Tender Juicy Air Fryer Chicken with Brussel Sprouts

Storing Leftovers

I love this air fryer chicken because it makes the best leftovers! It’s great for meal prep and to use for other recipes throughout the week.

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • In the Freezer: You can freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

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Tender and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken

4.76 from 53 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Tender and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken is golden and crispy on the outside and moist and delicious on the inside.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4 People

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  • In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Rub the seasoning onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
  • Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes. Flip the chicken and add Brussels sprouts, if using. Cook for an additional 9 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and enjoying!

Video

Notes

Originally Posted 10/28/2022
Updated 3/1/2025

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 12gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 67mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 161IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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150 Comments

    1. One is from Sur La Table and the other one is from William Sonoma. Any air fryer is great if it is at least 6 quart and has several features. Costco has a great one and even amazon.

  1. 5 stars
    We thought it was delicious and tender. The chicken was still a tad frozen and a huge breast so I ended up cooking about 6 min longer or 12 on each side. I used seasonings of chili powder, paprika, Italian seasonings, and garlic, a little cumin, chives, and parsley. it was great. Still new with the air fryer so always appreciate a good easy recipe.

    Thank You

  2. 5 stars
    I have a instant vortex and the times match up pretty well, I recommend getting a digital thermometer if you’re not sure about your chicken. Great recipe!

  3. I got this off FB and the recipe look delicious ! But, I am searching for the proper Air Fryer to buy. Some have more functions than others. Some say they bake, some ay they boil, etc. Please advise as it’s a huge product with a Lot of brands !! Thanks !

    1. I am a huge fanatic of air fryers! I highly recommend a 6 quart air fryer. Any brand really works and they are pretty similar. Having a basket is best too. There are some at costco or even on amazon that are perfect for any family and super simple to use that are around $100 or less.

  4. My Wife made this chicken and it was absolutely amazing!!! The only thing she did differently was that she brined the chicken for an hour and a half. I’m a stickler for bringing. Keeps the chicken moist.

  5. Hi! Love learning recipes from you. I have a Ninja Foodi, which has an air fryer.. would this be the same directions for 9 minutes, etc?

    I always struggle with knowing how it translates from appliance to appliance (ie Instapot directions and how to follow with Ninja Foodi ..)

    1. That is a hard question. I have not used a Ninja Foodi but the two air fryers that I have are different brands and they still cook the same. I use a 6 quart air fryer for both of them.

    1. It is best to read over your instruction manual each air fryer is different. Mine I do not have to preheat on some recipes and other I need to. For this chicken I did not need to preheat my air fryer. Hope that helps!

  6. 5 stars
    This recipe is very, easy and so good. I also tried the Hassleback potatoes as a side with thus chicken. They were very good also. Thank you for sharing.

  7. 5 stars
    Did everything per the recipe. I’m still learning My air fryer. I did 380 for 9 mins and 6 mins. Inside temp was right at 165. I added a few seasonings. Onion powder, lowery and accent. It was easy and very good. Will make again. I recommend.

  8. 5 stars
    Did everything per the recipe. I’m still learning My air fryer. I did 380 for 9 mins and 6 mins. Inside temp was right at 165. I added a few seasonings. Onion powder, lowery and accent. It was easy and very good. Will make again. I recommend.

  9. 4 stars
    Loved how easy it was …simple. I did it for 8 mins then flipped and another 5 mins. It was still red inside. Then another 2 mins and dry. WTH I am a baker not a cook. I have a foodi air fryer like 10 in 1 and I’m still drying chicken out. Go me. Anyway the season was very good when adding a lot of salt. Thank you.

    1. Hey there, I have a ninja foodi flip. Try salt brining your chicken breasts for at least an hour .. or longer. When ready to cook, remove from brine and pat dry well. I use canola spray in my flip .. With chicken on a cutting board, spray it with oil and then apply seasoning rub generously. Flip, repeat and add to the fry basket with the pan underneath. I do 375 on air fry setting for about 20 mins … Give/take depending on breast size. Hit pause, flip chicken and rotate basket at halfway point. Juicy every time. Salt brining before is the key! Hope this helps.