Air-Fryer Chicken Breast: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, as they can make the meat tender and juicy without the need for lots of oil. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375°F (190°C). The length of time you should cook the chicken for depends on the size of the breasts. Small breasts (5-7 oz) will take 7-10 minutes, medium breasts (8-10 oz) will take 10-12 minutes, and large breasts (11 oz or more) will take 12-16 minutes. It's important not to overcook the chicken, as this will dry it out.

How long to air-fry chicken breast at 375°F

Air-frying chicken breast at 375°F is a quick and easy way to get juicy, tender, and flavourful chicken. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts, as well as the model of your air fryer.

How to Air-Fry Chicken Breast at 375°F

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This should only take a few minutes.

Next, prepare your chicken breasts. You can either pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness or slice them into thin, flat pieces. Pounding the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and helps to tenderise the meat. Slicing the chicken breasts into thinner pieces helps them cook more quickly and evenly, and provides more surface area for the seasonings to stick to.

Once your chicken breasts are prepared, brush or drizzle them with oil and season generously. You can use any combination of seasonings you like, but a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper works well. You could also try onion powder, rosemary, sage, parsley, thyme, cajun seasoning, or taco seasoning.

Now you're ready to air-fry your chicken! Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them to allow for good airflow. For a six-ounce chicken breast, air fry for a total of around eight minutes. For an eight-ounce chicken breast, air fry for a total of around 11 minutes. And for a chicken breast that's 10 ounces or larger, air fry for a total of around 13 to 14 minutes.

Flip the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time. For example, if you're cooking six-ounce chicken breasts, air fry them for six minutes on the first side, then flip and air fry for another two to four minutes on the second side.

Always use an instant-read thermometer to check that your chicken is cooked through. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. However, for the juiciest results, remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests.

Let the chicken rest for five to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Air-Fried Chicken Breast

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken breasts can touch, but make sure they're not overlapping.
• Don't overcook the chicken. This is the key to juicy, tender chicken breasts.
• Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking, and let it rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the chicken cook evenly and stay moist.
• You can marinate the chicken before cooking for extra flavour. Try Italian dressing, or a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Brining the chicken before cooking can also help keep it moist and enhance the flavour. Simply sprinkle the chicken with salt and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Air-Fried Chicken Breast Serving Suggestions

Air-fried chicken breast is incredibly versatile. Serve it with your favourite sides, or chop it up for salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, casseroles, or tacos. Here are some specific serving suggestions:

• Arugula salad
• Mashed potatoes and green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Air fryer asparagus
• Rice bowls
• Salads, such as spinach strawberry salad or avocado kale caesar
• Pasta, such as creamy kale pasta or mushroom gnocchi
• Dips, such as gochujang sauce

Brining the chicken

Brining is the process of submerging a cut of meat into a solution of salt and water. It adds flavour and moisture to the meat, as well as tenderising it.

To make a brine, you'll need:

• Water
• Salt

You can also add other ingredients to amp up the flavour of your brine, such as:

• Sugar, brown sugar or molasses
• Alcohol
• Fresh herbs or citrus peels
• Aromatics such as juniper berries, garlic, thyme and pepper

For a whole chicken, you'll need:

• 1/4 cup of salt (preferably kosher salt)
• 2 tablespoons each of sugar and pepper
• 2 smashed garlic cloves

To make the brine, toss the salt, sugar, pepper and garlic into a pot and cover with 2 cups of boiling water. Stir, then add another litre of cold water and place the chicken into the pot. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 6.

Once the brining is completed, discard the liquid and roast the chicken as normal.

It's important to note that brining time will depend on the strength of your salt solution and the level of salt you want to achieve. As a rule of thumb, let the chicken brine for approximately one hour per pound of meat.

After brining, remove the chicken from the solution, rinse off the excess salt, and pat it completely dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial as it prevents the chicken from steaming in the oven, which would result in an unpleasant taste and texture.

The best temperature for air-frying chicken

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts, and with a few simple tips, you can achieve juicy and tender results every time.

Temperature

After testing various temperatures, it has been found that 375°F (190°C) is the best temperature for air frying chicken. This is because chicken breast is lean and benefits from high-temperature baking for a shorter period.

Timing

The timing will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. As a general guide:

• Small breasts (5-7 ounces): 7-10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8-10 ounces): 10-12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 ounces or more): 12-16 minutes

It is important to note that you should flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Brining

One secret to juicy chicken is brining, which involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. This process helps the meat absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in a more flavorful and moist chicken breast.

Doneness

Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F. However, it is recommended to remove the chicken from the air fryer at around 155-160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise during the resting period.

Frozen Chicken

While it is not recommended to use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe, you can still cook them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F, drizzle the chicken with olive oil, season as desired, and air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping once.

Seasoning

You can use a variety of seasonings on your chicken breasts, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, parsley, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Tips

• Do not overcook the chicken breast, as this will result in dry meat.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of your chicken.
• Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat juicy.
• Use a kitchen scale to accurately determine the weight of your chicken breasts for better cooking results.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook no more than 3-4 chicken breasts at a time.

With these tips, you'll be able to air fry chicken breasts like a pro, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat every time!

How to cook juicy chicken in the 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. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken into an even thickness.
• For dry brining, sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. If you're short on time, you can 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 ensure an even coating.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (this should take around 3 minutes).
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach between 155°F and 160°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for Juicy Air Fryer Chicken

• Brining the chicken for at least 30 minutes can significantly improve the texture and flavour. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling with salt).
• Avoid overcooking the chicken. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155°F to 160°F, as carryover cooking will increase the temperature by a few degrees.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
• For extra flavour and moisture, try marinating or brining the chicken before cooking.
• Ensure there is space between the chicken breasts in the air fryer to allow for even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Check the temperature of the chicken earlier than you think, as appliances can vary, and you don't want to overcook it.

How long to cook chicken in the air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Chicken breasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check this.

Small chicken breasts

Small chicken breasts, weighing 4-5oz, will take 10-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Medium chicken breasts

Medium chicken breasts, weighing 6-8oz, will take 13-15 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Large chicken breasts

Large chicken breasts, weighing 9-12oz, will take 16-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Air fryer temperature

The air fryer should be set to 375°F. However, some recipes recommend a temperature of 415°F. It is important not to overcook the chicken, as this will cause it to dry out.

Frequently asked questions