Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

You’ll be amazed at how tasty plain ol’ boneless skinless chicken breasts can be. With just a minimal amount of seasoning and very little prep time, low calorie chicken breasts can be transformed into a really delicious meal. 

When you slice into an air fried chicken breast, expect to see juicy meat with a perfectly done exterior. It’s almost surprising. There’s no breading or fancy tricks.

I don’t know why I would be surprised because pretty much everything I’ve tried in my air fryer has been very, very good. If you haven’t tried air fryer salmon yet, don’t wait, it’s a total game changer. Air fryer breaded pork chops and air fryer pork tenderloin turn out so juicy and tender, you won’t believe it. We love air fryer meatballs and air fryer meatloaf, too.

Vegetables can be cooked in your air fryer, too, like air fryer Brussels sprouts and air fryer broccoli.

Air Fryer Chicken

Surprisingly good. An air fryer does a great job with boneless skinless chicken breasts. It’s almost like they’re grilled but without all the hassle. They get that nice “crust” and are juicy inside, just how you want them. Add a marinade or rub to really enhance the flavor.

Versatile. Air fryer chicken breasts are a blank palette. In just a minute, I’ll show you how to season them to your hearts’ content. But the versatility doesn’t end there. The chicken can be marinated before cooking. Try one of these great recipes for chicken marinades. Adding a great sauce is another way to dress air fryer chicken breasts up. We love this spicy sweet bang bang sauce.

Lots of ways to use it. Perfectly cooked air fryer chicken can be used in so many recipes or meals. Keep reading for lots of ideas. The chicken can easily be made ahead and frozen for meals later on. I often cook up a family pack on Sunday and use the extra cooked chicken all week.

Ingredient Notes

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: This recipe is written for 2 boneless breasts, about 6 oz. each. You can do larger quantities if you like. Keep reading if you prefer dark meat or a different cut of chicken.
• Olive Oil: I like the flavor of olive oil and the fact that it is heart-healthy. Any type of oil will do so use what you have.
• Salt and Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Dried Parsley: This basic seasoning mix can be used on all types of meat and vegetables.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Mix together the seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried parsley). If you happen to have a jar of my homemade all-purpose seasoning mix, you can simply substitute that.

Season the chicken. Add a spoonful of oil and stir it into the seasoning. Coat the meat with the oil and seasoning mix, rubbing it on all sides.

Air fry. Air fry for ten minutes; flip, and air fry another six to eight minutes or until the chicken is done. The FAQ section has more information about how to tell if the chicken is completely cooked through.

Let the chicken rest for five minutes or so to let the juices settle down. At this point, you can serve it whole or slice it before you serve it.

Serve it with dill potato salad, crockpot mac and cheese (ready in just 2 hours), or zucchini casserole for a win at the dinner table. Top the chicken with hot honey, smoky chipotle salsa, or homemade BBQ sauce for exciting flavor.

Helpful Tips For Perfect Chicken

Use an instant read thermometer. Perhaps the trickiest part of cooking chicken breasts is cooking them until they are perfectly done. Too much cooking and they get dry and tough; too little cooking and you run the risk of eating undercooked chicken. So how do you know when the chicken is done? The most accurate way to check is to use an instant read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken piece. The internal temperature should be close to 165°F. The juices should run clear, not bloody or pink, and when you slice into the chicken, it shouldn’t be dark pink.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. I like to turn off the heat slightly before the temperature reaches 165°F. The temperature will continue to rise a bit as the chicken rests. The juices settle down a bit and the chicken will be perfectly cooked.

Marinate the chicken. I’ve air fried boneless skinless chicken breasts plenty of times with the simple seasonings listed on the recipe card and they turn out just fine. However, I find that a marinade really boosts the flavor of the chicken and also acts as a tenderizer. Try my balsamic chicken marinade, honey mustard chicken marinade, and Italian chicken marinade. Another one of my favorites is this Greek-style marinade which is made with yogurt.

Make-Ahead Ideas

Air fryer chicken is great for meal prepping. Buy a large pack of boneless skinless chicken breasts and air fry the whole pack (in batches depending on the size of your air fryer). Cool and freeze or refrigerate the meat in resealable bags for easy meals later on. The chicken is really perfect sliced on a salad, and works great for tons of other meals, too (see the list below).

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate/Freeze: Cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge, well-wrapped, for up to 4 days. Store in the freezer for up to one month.

Reheat: If the chicken is frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove. It’s great cold, too! 

Recipes Using Cooked Chicken

While these chicken breasts are perfectly good on their own, they also are wonderful used in other recipes. Slice the chicken and put it on a bun with your favorite toppings. Or try:

• Southwestern BBQ Chicken Salad (best chopped salad!)
• Southwestern Quinoa Bowl with Chicken
• BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls
• Healthy Curried Chicken Salad
• The Best Cauliflower Nachos
• BBQ Chicken Pizza