Air-Frying Chicken Breasts: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken breast fillets are a versatile dish that can be used in salads, soups, sandwiches, and more. The air fryer is a great way to cook chicken breast fillets, as it renders them tender and juicy. The cooking time will depend on the size of the fillets and the desired level of doneness, but generally, it takes around 10-20 minutes to cook chicken breast fillets in an air fryer.

How to cook chicken breast in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Thyme

Optional:

• Italian dressing
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Avocado oil
• Gochujang sauce
• Lemon butter sauce
• White BBQ sauce
• Peruvian creamy green sauce
• Creamy mushroom sauce

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F.
• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
• If you have time, marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for up to 24 hours. Drain and pat the chicken dry before cooking.
• Brush or spray the chicken breasts with olive oil.
• Sprinkle or rub your chosen seasonings onto the chicken breasts.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping.
• Cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Flip the chicken breasts halfway through.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 160-165°F. If not, return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
• Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long does it take to cook chicken breast in an air fryer?

The length of time it takes to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts.

Small Chicken Breasts (5-7 oz)

Small chicken breasts weighing between 5 and 7 ounces will take 7 to 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Medium Chicken Breasts (8-10 oz)

Medium chicken breasts weighing between 8 and 10 ounces will take 10 to 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Large Chicken Breasts (11 oz or more)

Large chicken breasts weighing 11 ounces or more will take 12 to 16 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific air fryer model and the thickness of the chicken breasts. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly before serving. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should reach 165°F to be considered safe to eat.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

• It is recommended to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Brining or marinating the chicken before cooking can add extra flavour and moisture.
• Using a dry brine of salt or a wet brine of saltwater solution can help season the meat throughout and keep it moist.
• Avoid overcooking the chicken as this can lead to dryness.
• Preheating the air fryer is not necessary for this recipe, but it can be done if desired.

How to make juicy chicken breast in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika (optional)
• Cumin (optional)
• Oregano (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Avocado oil (optional)

Method

• If your chicken breasts are very thick, place them on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or your palm to gently pound them to an even thickness.
• Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle with salt. Leave in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This step is optional but will result in juicier, more flavourful chicken.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. You can also add olive oil to create a paste.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat, rubbing the spices evenly over both sides.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6-10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for a further 2-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes.
• You can also marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or another marinade of your choice for up to 24 hours before cooking. Be sure to pat the chicken dry with paper towels before adding the spice mixture.
• For extra crispy chicken, you can bread the chicken before placing it in the air fryer. Try coating the chicken in flour, then dipping it in beaten egg, and finally dredging it in breadcrumbs.

How to make crispy chicken breast in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Method

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken breasts into an even thickness.
• To dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. If you don't have time to brine, skip this step.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you didn't dry brine the chicken, add the salt now.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat, ensuring the spices are rubbed evenly over both sides.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This should take around 3 minutes.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket with the smooth side down and cook for 6 minutes.
• Remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken over using tongs. Continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F to 160°F (68°C to 71°C). The total cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer model.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• Brining the chicken helps to keep it moist and enhances the flavour. However, if you're short on time, you can skip this step.
• To check if your chicken is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• For crispy chicken, ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken breasts can touch but should not overlap.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat juicy.

What to serve with chicken breast from the air fryer

The cooking time for chicken breast fillets in an air fryer depends on their size. Small breasts (5 to 7 ounces) will take 7 to 10 minutes, medium breasts (8 to 10 ounces) will take 10 to 12 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12 to 16 minutes. You'll need to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure it cooks evenly.

Now, what to serve with your juicy air-fried chicken breast? Here are some ideas:

• Salads: Spinach Strawberry Salad, Thai Peanut Wraps, or a simple green salad with your favourite vegetables.
• Sandwiches or wraps: Chicken Caesar Wrap, Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese and Garlic, or a classic chicken and avocado sandwich.
• Pasta: Brussels Sprouts Pasta with Brown Butter, or a healthy pasta dish with extra veggies.
• Pizza: Try a Buffalo Chicken Pizza or a Sicilian Pizza.
• Stir Fry: Vegetable Lo Mein.
• Sides: Roasted Potatoes and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Asparagus, or Arugula Salad.

You can also serve the chicken breast with other air-fried dishes, such as Air Fryer Green Beans, Air Fryer Baked Potato, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, or Air Fryer Cauliflower.

Frequently asked questions