Air Frying Chicken Breasts: The Perfect Timing At 350

Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy chicken breasts without the need for brining or marinating. Depending on the size of the chicken breasts, cooking time can vary from 6 to 14 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, small breasts (5 to 7 ounces) will take 7 to 10 minutes, while large breasts (11 ounces or more) can take up to 16 minutes. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent foodborne illnesses.

How to cook chicken breast in an air fryer

Ingredients

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

Method

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound into 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 together the 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 top and toss to coat the chicken, 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, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken over with tongs. Continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 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

• Always check that your chicken is cooked through by using an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• You can use frozen chicken breasts, but they may not be as juicy. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). 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.
• To prevent your chicken from drying out, avoid overcooking and consider brining or marinating it before cooking.
• For extra flavour, try using a marinade or a spice rub with ingredients like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cumin, or smoked paprika.

How long to cook chicken in an air fryer

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

Cooking Time by Chicken Breast Size

Small chicken breasts (5 to 7 ounces) will take 7 to 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Medium chicken breasts (8 to 10 ounces) will take 10 to 12 minutes to cook.

Large chicken breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12 to 16 minutes to cook.

Cooking Time by Air Fryer Temperature

An air fryer set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit will take longer to cook chicken than one set to a higher temperature. Air fryers with higher temperatures, such as 375 degrees Fahrenheit, will cook chicken in 10 to 14 minutes. Air fryers with even higher temperatures, such as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, will cook chicken in 20 to 30 minutes.

Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked through. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For best results, use room temperature chicken.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Ensure there is enough space between the chicken breasts to allow for proper air circulation.
• Do not line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. The chicken will cook more evenly and taste better without it.
• For juicy chicken, brine the meat before cooking. Brining involves salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. This process helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in more flavorful and moist chicken.

Air fryer chicken breast ingredients

Chicken Breasts

The key to juicy, tender air fryer chicken is to buy the right size of boneless, skinless chicken breasts — about 7 ounces. Larger breasts will take longer to cook.

Oil

A little oil helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken breasts and keeps them moist. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or extra-virgin olive oil.

Spices

While there are endless options for how to season your chicken breasts, a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper does wonders for plain chicken. You could also use other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley, or spices like cumin, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Brining (Optional)

Brining your chicken breasts can help keep them juicy and tender. It involves salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).

Other Tips

• If you're using frozen chicken breasts, make sure to let them defrost in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours before cooking.
• Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer—make sure there is enough space between the chicken breasts.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcook the chicken! Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F, but you can remove it from the air fryer at around 155-160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

Serving Suggestions

• Salads: Top your favorite salad with air fryer chicken. Try a spinach strawberry salad or a low-carb broccoli salad.
• Sandwiches or wraps: Make a chicken and avocado sandwich or wrap using keto tortillas, keto bread, or low-calorie wraps.
• Pasta: Pack extra protein into a veggie pasta dish or serve with a healthy pasta.
• Pizza: Use your air fryer chicken to make a scrumptious buffalo chicken pizza.
• Stir Fry: Vegetable Lo Mein would be delicious with some air fryer chicken.
• Sides: Serve with roasted potatoes and carrots, easy corn on the cob, or air fryer mushrooms.

How to air fry chicken breast

Ingredients

You will need:

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

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 to 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 are not dry brining, 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 did not dry brine the chicken, add salt to taste 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 with tongs. Continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 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

• To check if the chicken is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• If you are using frozen chicken breasts, make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry any excess moisture before seasoning. You can cook frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer, but they may not turn out as juicy.
• Avoid lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can affect the cooking process and the taste of the chicken.
• For extra flavour, marinate the chicken breasts before cooking. You can also add different spices or herbs to the seasoning mixture, such as oregano or parsley.

Juicy air fryer frozen chicken breasts

Ingredients:

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

Method:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm, lightly pound the chicken into an even thickness.
• To dry brine, sprinkle the chicken all over with kosher salt and place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. If you're in a hurry, you can skip this step.
• When ready to air fry, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together the 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 top and toss to coat, ensuring the spices are rubbed evenly over both sides.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (this should take around 3 minutes).
• Place the chicken presentation side (smooth side) down in the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
• Remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken over with tongs. Continue cooking for 2-8 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 155-160°F. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer model.
• Remove the chicken to a plate, cover, and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for Juicy Chicken:

• Brining the chicken for just 30 minutes can make a big difference in keeping it juicy. Brining is the process of salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling with salt).
• Don't overcook the chicken! Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F, but it's best to remove it from the air fryer at around 155-160°F as the temperature will continue to rise while resting.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken.
• Don't forget to flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions