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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!
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!
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!
- 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.
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!
- Coat Chicken Breast: Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- 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.
- Rub: Rub the seasoning onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
- 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.
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
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- Brussels sprouts optional
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe didnt mention preheating airfryer before cooking the chicken. Is this necessary?
You don’t have to! But it’s always helpful if you can.
Do you have to preheat the Air-frier?
You can but you don’t have to!
Do I rub the oil and dry seasons on both sides of the breasts or just on top?
Add the rub to both sides of the chicken.
Do you season the Brussels sprouts at all before adding them?
I don’t! I season them with salt and pepper after they are cooked.
Can Brussel sprouts be frozen
If you use frozen Brussel sprouts then need to be thawed before you cook them with the chicken!
If I’m using frozen brussels, should I microwave them first?
No, you will add in the raw Brussels sprouts after the first 9 minutes of cooking (see step 3)!
I’m new to the air frying world and decided to try chicken breast in the air fryer. This recipe was spot on! I did not deviate at all and the chicken was juicy and tender and the brussel sprouts are on point! Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear this! 🙂
This was EXCELLENT! Super juicy & definitely fully cooked.
Did you brine the chicken breast first?
I have done both and find that brining is much more juicy and not as chewey
Not even close to the right cook time and temp, it took 15 mins each side at 360 degrees
I’m so sorry the times didn’t work for you! Different air fryers can be tricky with finding the exact time that works. I hope it at least tasted good when it was done!
Used some cheap, rather thin defrosted Tyson chicken breasts that I’d rinsed and dried, mixed the oil and spices together (x 1.5 for 3 breasts), rubbed the mix all over the chicken (a helluva lot easier than doing the oil and spices separately!). stuck ’em in my Dreo (sic!) for the times indicated, and though 18 minutes was probably a little over the necessary time due to their thinness, they still came out AMAZING – as good as the best cafe or coffee shop anywhere! I always knew convection cooking was the way to achieve restaurant quality food, but honestly, after having experimented with my air fryer for a month now, I never expected the results to turn out anywhere near as good as they so consistently are. Thanks for the top-notch recipe!
I never rinse meat. This is a recipe for food borne illness from your sinks and surroundings. Good recipe and spice mix.
What is the recipe for the sauce that you serve with the breasts
I didn’t use an extra sauce with this! Follow this recipe and yours should turn out juicy and seasoned like this too!
If I could I’d give this 4.5 stars… super tasty, but I really think marinating (as suggested for a more juicy breast) should be part of the recipe rather then optional. I didn’t marinate this time as I didn’t have the time, but I will marinate it before I make it next time. Rather then oiling the chicken, then sprinkling with herbs and spices, I added the herbs and spices to the oil and rubbed the chicken with the paste-like mixture. Love this as leftovers on Ceasar salad.
Excellent. TRBB Endorsed!
I am new to the air fryer world. I followed the recipe. Even knew mine needed to be preheated before using and it still took soooo much longer. I don’t understand what I did wrong. The breast were reasonable size too. Not the monstrosities that you sometimes find.
My family enjoyed this dish so much. Served it with roasted veggies, and it was such a hit ❤️
Super simple – so tender! I just got an air fryer recently so have been testing out recipes. This is a great one!