Air-Fryer Chicken Breasts: The Perfect Timing Guide

Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy, tender, and flavourful chicken breasts in a short amount of time. The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken breasts and the desired level of doneness, but generally, it takes around 10 to 20 minutes to air fry chicken breasts at temperatures ranging from 360 to 415 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to prepare chicken breast for the air fryer

Preparing chicken breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, juicy, and tender piece of meat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Firstly, you will need to decide whether to brine or marinate your chicken. This is not essential, but it can help to keep the meat juicy and add flavour. If you choose to brine, you can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). Leave the chicken in the brine for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours if you are marinating.

Next, take your chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness. You can do this by placing them on a cutting board and covering them with plastic wrap, then using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to gently pound them. This step will help ensure that your chicken cooks evenly.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Now it's time to season your chicken! You can use any combination of herbs and spices that you like. A simple mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper is always a good option, or you could try something like lemon pepper seasoning or Creole seasoning. Brush or drizzle your chicken breasts with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice, then sprinkle on your chosen seasonings. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly on all sides.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them to allow for even cooking.

Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. For a 5-7 ounce breast, cook for 7-10 minutes. For an 8-10 ounce breast, cook for 10-12 minutes. And for an 11 ounce or larger breast, cook for 12-16 minutes. You will need to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Once the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and result in juicier meat.

Now your chicken is ready to enjoy! Serve it with your favourite sides, or chop it up for salads, sandwiches, or any other dish you like.

How to cook chicken breast in the air fryer

Ingredients:

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

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 to an even thickness.
• To dry brine, sprinkle salt all over the chicken and place in the refrigerator uncovered for 30 minutes to one day.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top and rub it evenly over both sides.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
• Place the chicken smooth side down in the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for another 2 to 8 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Tips:

• If you are using frozen chicken, preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, season as desired, and spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Air fry the chicken for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• For juicy chicken, brine the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F. Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155 to 160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts. 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.

How to serve air fryer chicken breast

There are many ways to serve air fryer chicken breast. Here are some ideas:

Salads

You can add diced or shredded air fryer chicken breast to your favourite green salad. For example, a spinach and strawberry salad or a marinated vegetable salad.

Wraps and Sandwiches

Add air fryer chicken breast to a chicken Caesar wrap or an avocado grilled cheese sandwich. You can also add it to Thai peanut wraps.

Pasta

Add some extra protein to a veggie pasta dish, like Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter.

Pizza

Use your air fryer chicken to make a buffalo chicken pizza.

Stir Fry

Add air fryer chicken breast to a vegetable Lo Mein.

Sides

Air fryer chicken breast goes well with many different side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Mashed potatoes
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Asparagus
• Gluten-free cornbread
• Rice
• Steamed vegetables with cheddar cheese sauce
• Roasted spaghetti squash
• Focaccia

How to store air fryer chicken breast

To store air fryer chicken breast, place the chicken in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat the chicken, gently warm it in the air fryer or oven at 350°F.

To freeze the chicken, place it in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Air fryer chicken breast recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, as they can be used to make juicy, tender, and versatile chicken that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some recipes and tips for cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer.

Basic Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, steak seasoning)

Instructions:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to gently pound the thicker side of the chicken until it is an even thickness (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick).
• Brush or drizzle olive oil on both sides of the chicken breasts. This helps the seasonings adhere and keeps the chicken moist.
• Sprinkle your desired seasonings on both sides of the chicken breasts. You can also try a marinade or brine for extra flavor (see below for more details).
• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
• Cook for 7-10 minutes at 375°F, then flip the chicken over and cook for another 2-8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The internal temperature should reach 165°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips and Variations:

• Brining: Brining the chicken breasts before cooking can help keep them juicy and flavorful. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling salt directly on the meat).
• Marinating: Marinating the chicken breasts before cooking can add extra flavor. You can use a variety of marinades such as Italian dressing or your favorite chicken marinade. Marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours, then pat it dry before air frying.
• Thinly sliced chicken: For more even cooking and juicier results, try slicing the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces before cooking. This increases the surface area for the seasonings to coat and helps prevent overcooking.
• Cooking times: The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Small breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 7-10 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 ounces) will take 10-15 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12-20 minutes.
• Side dishes: Air fryer chicken breasts go well with a variety of side dishes, including salads, mashed potatoes, homemade mac and cheese, steamed vegetables, roasted vegetables, and more.
• Meal prep: Air fryer chicken breasts are great for meal prep. Cook them at the beginning of the week, slice them up, and store them in meal prep containers along with your favorite sides. They can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, burrito bowls, and more.

Frequently asked questions