Air-Fryer Chicken Breasts: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken breasts are a versatile dish that can be used in salads, soups, sandwiches, and more. But it's easy to overcook them, leaving the meat dry and rubbery. The air fryer offers a solution to this problem, allowing you to cook juicy, tender chicken breasts with a golden, crispy exterior.

To make chicken breasts in an air fryer, start by coating the chicken with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple mix of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or try something different like Italian seasoning, BBQ spices, or Indian spices. You could also try marinating the chicken in Italian dressing or making a brine.

Once your chicken is seasoned, place it in the air fryer basket, ensuring there's space between each piece for even cooking. Set the air fryer to 360-375°F and cook for around 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts, with larger breasts taking longer.

When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will ensure the juices are locked in, leaving you with juicy, tender chicken breasts.

Brining and seasoning

Brining is a great way to ensure your chicken is juicy and flavoursome. It involves salting the meat and letting it rest before cooking. During brining, the meat absorbs extra liquid and salt, keeping it moist and allowing the salt to flavour the meat throughout. You can use a wet brine (a saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).

If you're short on time, a dry brine is less messy and will still work wonders. Simply sprinkle your chicken breasts with salt and place them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. If you have more time, a wet brine will give you even juicier results. Submerge your chicken in a saltwater solution and leave it to brine for 30 minutes to 24 hours.

After brining, pat your chicken dry with paper towels and it's ready to be seasoned and cooked.

Seasoning your chicken breast is a great way to add flavour and make your dish your own. You can use a simple mix of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, Italian seasoning, or taco seasoning. You can also try a marinade like Italian dressing or gochujang sauce.

For a simple, versatile, and delicious seasoning blend, try a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This blend is flavourful and can be used in a variety of dishes.

If you're looking for something with a bit of spice, add some ground cayenne pepper to your blend. Or, for a smoky flavour, try smoked paprika. You can also experiment with other spices like oregano, parsley, or thyme.

Don't be afraid to get creative and mix and match spices to find a blend that's perfect for you.

Cooking temperature and time

The cooking temperature and time for air fryer chicken breasts vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the model of the air fryer. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.

Firstly, it is important to note that the air fryer does not need to be preheated. This is because preheating the air fryer can result in the outside of the chicken cooking faster than the inside, leading to dry chicken.

For juicy and tender chicken, it is recommended to lightly pound the chicken to flatten it and reduce the thicker side. This helps ensure even cooking. The chicken can then be coated in oil and seasoned with a variety of spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

When cooking, it is best to place the chicken smooth side down in the air fryer and cook at a temperature between 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-10 minutes. For larger chicken breasts, it may be necessary to cook for an additional 3-8 minutes, depending on the size. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe to eat.

It is also recommended to let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking.

Resting the chicken

While the chicken rests, you can prepare some sides to serve with it. Some suggestions include Air Fryer Asparagus, Gluten-Free Gravy, Creamy Garlic Shells, Roasted Mushrooms, or Steamed Veggies with Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce.

If you're using the chicken for meal prep, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It's best to reheat the chicken on the stove by adding it to a skillet with a splash of water or broth and heating until warmed through.

Reheating tips

• If your chicken breast is in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to remove some of the chill. This helps it reheat more evenly.
• If you like, brush the chicken breast with a little bit of oil or use a cooking spray to help bring out the crispiness.
• Arrange the chicken breast in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure there is space between each piece for the air to circulate effectively. If you're reheating bigger pieces, you may need to do this in batches.
• Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the chicken breast.
• Flip the chicken for even reheating after 6 minutes. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, it could take between 10 and 20 minutes for them to heat through.
• After the 6-minute flip, start checking the internal temperature of the chicken breast using a meat thermometer. It should register at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's thoroughly reheated and safe to eat.
• If you prefer your air fryer chicken breast to be a bit more crisp, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking time. However, be careful not to overcook it.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as it can prevent proper air circulation. This can result in uneven reheating.
• If your chicken breast is coated with sauce or breadcrumbs, place it on parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Remember to adjust the reheating time based on the thickness of your chicken breast pieces.
• Always check the internal temperature of the chicken breast to ensure it's thoroughly reheated to 165°F (74°C). This is according to USDA guidelines.
• Experiment with seasonings or sauces to add extra flavor to your reheated chicken breast.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the reheated chicken breast reaches at least 165°F (74°C). This temperature kills any harmful bacteria that may be present.
• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw chicken separate from your cooked chicken. Wash your hands, utensils, and countertops thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw chicken.
• If you have leftover reheated chicken breast, refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking. Store leftovers in shallow containers to allow for rapid cooling.
• Reheat chicken via air frying only once. Avoid reheating leftovers multiple times, as this increases the risk of bacterial contamination.
• After reheating the chicken breast, allow it to cool down to room temperature for no more than 2 hours.
• If you have a large batch of reheated chicken breast, consider dividing it into smaller portions before storing it.
• Transfer the reheated chicken breast to an airtight container or resealable plastic bags for storage.
• Label the containers with the contents and date of reheating. This helps you keep track of how long the chicken has been stored.
• Place the containers of reheated chicken breast in the refrigerator within 2 hours of reheating.
• While you can freeze cooked chicken breast, it’s generally not recommended to freeze it after reheating. Freezing, thawing, and reheating chicken multiple times can affect its texture and taste.

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness When Reheating Chicken:

• Preheat the air fryer. Preheating creates an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding by setting out the chicken pieces in a single layer for even air circulation.
• Use a light coating of oil. Coat the chicken lightly with oil to help bring back the crispiness.
• Monitor the cooking time and keep a close eye on the chicken to prevent overcooking.
• If the chicken seems dry during reheating, you can add a little bit of chicken stock, water, or another liquid or sauce to the air fryer basket. This helps keep it moist and juicy.
• Let the reheated chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps to redistribute the juices and ensure that it’s juicy and flavorful.

What to serve with air fryer chicken

There are many options for what to serve with air fryer chicken. Here are some ideas:

Salads

You can add the chicken to a salad, such as a spinach strawberry salad, or a simple green salad. You could also add it to a roasted peanut kale salad or an avocado kale caesar.

Wraps and Sandwiches

Air fryer chicken can be used in sandwiches or wraps, such as a chicken Caesar wrap, or added to an avocado grilled cheese sandwich.

Pasta

Add the chicken to a veggie pasta dish, such as Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter, or creamy kale pasta. It would also go well with mushroom gnocchi or paprika chicken pasta.

Pizza

Use the chicken to make a buffalo chicken pizza.

Stir Fry

Vegetable Lo Mein would be delicious with some air fryer chicken.

Sides

You could serve the chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots, corn on the cob, or air fryer mushrooms.

Frequently asked questions