Air-Fried Chicken Breast: Simple, Quick, And Delicious

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They're a quick and easy way to cook food that tastes amazing. One of the best things to cook in an air fryer is chicken breast, and it's also one of the simplest things to cook.

To make plain chicken breast in an air fryer, you'll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, and your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper, or any other dried herbs and spices you like.

First, cut the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces. Then, coat the chicken in oil and sprinkle with your chosen seasonings, rubbing them into the chicken with your hands. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for around 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C), or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (71°C).

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked, juicy, and tender air fryer chicken breast.

Choosing the right chicken breasts

Size

The size of the chicken breasts matters when cooking in an air fryer. Most recipes recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts that weigh around 7 ounces each. Larger breasts will take longer to cook, so aim for smaller to medium-sized breasts if possible.

Freshness

It is best to use fresh chicken breasts for air frying. If you are using frozen chicken, be sure to thaw it completely before cooking. Place the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours to defrost, then let it come to room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes before seasoning and cooking.

Quality

When selecting chicken breasts, look for good-quality, fresh meat from a reputable source. Choose chicken that looks pink and has a smooth, moist surface. Avoid chicken with discoloured flesh or a slimy texture, as this may indicate that it is past its prime.

Brining

Brining the chicken breasts before cooking can help keep them juicy and tender. Brining involves soaking the meat in a saltwater solution or sprinkling it with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This process helps the chicken absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in more flavourful and moist meat.

Thickness

For even cooking and optimal juiciness, it is best to use chicken breasts that are of uniform thickness. If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can use a meat mallet to pound them lightly and flatten them to an even thickness. This will help ensure they cook more evenly in the air fryer.

Preparation

Before cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the chicken brown and crisp up nicely in the air fryer. You can also trim any excess fat or connective tissue from the chicken breasts to ensure the best texture and flavour.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, select good-quality, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The size of the chicken breasts will determine the cooking time, so choose breasts that are all roughly the same size for even cooking.

Next, prepare your chosen seasoning. You can use any combination of herbs and spices you like. For example, a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper works well. Alternatively, you could use a store-bought blend such as Italian seasoning, chicken spice, or Cajun seasoning. If you want to add a little heat, include some cayenne pepper. Mix your chosen herbs and spices together in a small bowl and set aside.

Now it's time to prepare the chicken. If you have time, it's worth brining the chicken first. Brining improves the texture and flavour of the meat, making it juicy, plump, and well-seasoned throughout. To dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with salt and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to one day. If you're short on time, you can skip this step.

When you're ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes. If you dry-brined the chicken, pat it dry with paper towels. Then, drizzle oil over the chicken, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Sprinkle your chosen spice mix over the chicken, rubbing it in evenly on both sides.

Finally, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, presentation side (smooth side) down, and cook at 375°F/190°C. 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 10-12 minutes, and large breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12-16 minutes. For best results, flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Check that the chicken is cooked through using an instant-read thermometer—it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F/73°C.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Cooking the chicken

First, preheat your air fryer. While this isn't always necessary, it's a good idea if you want a crispy outside. If you're using an air fryer that doesn't have a preheat function, don't worry—most air fryers heat up quickly.

Now, prepare the chicken breasts. If they are very thick, use a meat mallet to flatten them out a bit. This will help them cook more evenly. You can also slice the chicken breasts into thinner, smaller, flat pieces. This will ensure more even cooking and give you more surface area for your seasoning.

Next, it's time to season the chicken. You can use any combination of spices and herbs you like. Try a simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper, or get creative with cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, rosemary, sage, or parsley. You can also brush the chicken with oil to help the seasonings stick and ensure moist chicken. Make sure you coat the chicken thoroughly and evenly.

Once your chicken is prepared, it's time to cook! Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each piece to ensure good airflow. For a single layer of chicken breasts, cook at 370°F to 415°F for 7 to 10 minutes. Then, flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts.

To check if your chicken is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to see if the internal temperature has reached 165°F. The meat will be opaque white throughout but still juicy and tender.

Finally, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking. Enjoy!

Resting the chicken

The resting time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts. For small breasts (5 to 7 ounces), a resting time of 5 to 10 minutes is recommended. Medium breasts (8 to 10 ounces) should rest for around 10 to 12 minutes, while large breasts (11 ounces or more) may need up to 16 minutes of resting time.

During the resting period, the chicken will continue to cook due to residual heat, and the internal temperature will increase by several degrees. This is known as carryover cooking. It is important to note that the chicken will continue to cook even after it has been removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is crucial to remove the chicken from the air fryer a few degrees before it reaches the desired internal temperature of 165°F. This will ensure that the chicken does not overcook and dry out.

Additionally, resting the chicken allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat, preventing them from spilling out onto the plate when the chicken is cut. This helps to maintain moisture and ensures a juicy and tender final product.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air-fried chicken breast. Here are some suggestions:

Salads

You can add the chicken to your favourite salad, such as a spinach strawberry salad, or a Caesar salad. You can also shred the chicken and add it to a simple crustless quiche.

Wraps and Sandwiches

Use the chicken to make a chicken Caesar wrap, or add it to an avocado grilled cheese sandwich with herbed goat cheese and garlic for extra protein. You can also fold the chicken into Thai peanut wraps.

Pasta

Add the chicken to a veggie pasta dish, such as Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter, or creamy kale pasta.

Pizza

Use the chicken to make a buffalo chicken pizza.

Stir Fry

Add the chicken to a vegetable stir fry, such as vegetable lo mein.

Sides

Serve the chicken with any of your favourite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, air fryer asparagus, or arugula salad.

Frequently asked questions