This air fryer chicken breast recipe cooks to perfection in just 8 minutes! It's as juicy as chicken can get, and this recipe includes an optional dry rub that makes bland chicken a thing of the past.
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My Famous Air Fryer Chicken Breast
If you want to make the juiciest air fryer chicken breast ever, you've come to the right place.
There are so many ways to cook chicken, yet it's hard to get chicken just right without drying it out.
And that's why making chicken breast air fryer style - that's what I like to call it anyway - has become my preferred way of cooking chicken. It's also probably the quickest way to cook chicken, taking just 8 minutes from start-to-finish.
Not to mention, I think it's by far the most consistent cooking method - you get ultra juicy, tender chicken that absorbs any seasoning or marinade you put on it when you cook chicken in the air fryer.
Oh, and if you're not sure what to use, I included my go-to dry rub that packs a ton of flavor into this air fryer chicken breast with just a few simple ingredients.
By the way, this air fryer chicken is definitely delicious on its own, but you can also use it to make some Chicken Alfredo, a Cobb Salad, or a variety of other dishes.
With that said, my favorite way to eat it is with this Sugar Free BBQ Sauce.
INGREDIENTS
Here'sare the air fryer chicken breast ingredients:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts- two medium or large one works best.
- Seasoning and marinade of choice- to give it flavor if you're not using my optional dry rub.
Andfor the optional dry rub:
- Garlic salt- for some savory saltiness.
- Chili powder and paprika- to add a slight spice.
- Onion powder- for more depth of savory flavor.
- Cinnamon- my secret ingredient that ties all of the flavors together.
- Pinch of pepper
As I mentioned earlier, this is my go-to rub when I make my air fryer chicken breasts. But you can really just use a little salt and pepper on them - or even nothing at all - if that's more your style.
Honestly, though, you can use any marinade or seasoning, and the juicy chicken breast will turn out top-notch.
Oh, and by the way, if you love chicken recipes with just a few ingredients - like this one - be sure to check out my keto chicken nuggets recipe, this creamy sun-dried tomato chicken thigh recipe, these grilled chicken legs, this sauteed chicken breast recipe, or even this chicken bacon ranch casserole sometime!
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHICKEN BREAST
As far as cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer goes it's as simple as following 2 simple steps - prepping the chicken, and cooking it.
Yep, it's as simple as that. So, let's not waste any more time and get cooking!
Step 1: Prep work. First, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). And don't worry if it doesn't heat up all the way. You just want it to get hot before adding the chicken - it cooks faster this way.
Step 2: Season the chicken. Add two chicken breasts to a large plastic bag, put them on a cutting board, and use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken breasts until they're about ¼ of an inch thick. Add all of the dry rub ingredients - if you're using them - to a small bowl and mix them together until combined. Put the chicken breasts on a plate, sprinkle an equal amount of the seasoning blend on both sides, and use your hands to work the rub into the meat.
Step 3: Air fry. Once the chicken is good to go, coat the air fryer basket with baking spray and add the chicken breasts to it. Then set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 8 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 162°F. And make sure to flip the chicken halfway through cookingat the 4-minute mark.
Step 4: Serve warm. Now, after the chicken cooks to perfection, remove it from the air fryer, and let it rest for a few minutes. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) - the recommended temp by the USDA - while it's resting. I like to keep my meat thermometer in the chicken while it's resting to make sure it reaches that temperature. Of course, you can always cook the chicken until it reaches 165°F, but I've found cooking it to a temp of 162°F and then letting it rest to reach 165°F is not only the best way to produce super juicy results but safe results too. Having said that, after the chicken is done resting, you can dig in and enjoy!
How I Recommend Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Ok, so this recipe will make 2 chicken breasts. But you can make as many or as little as you want! The dry rub I included is for 2, so adjust that accordingly.
Also, if you have some leftovers after you make it, you can store them in an airtight container - or Ziploc bag - in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Just make sure you refrigerate it once it cools and within two hours after cooking it.
I personally like eating this chicken leftover cold, but if you want to heat it, you can also air fry chicken breasts again!To do this, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and take the chicken out of the fridge so it can come to room temperature. Then spray the basket with a little cooking spray and put the chicken in. Now cook the air fryer chicken breast again for about 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do chicken breasts take in air fryer?
The time chicken breasts take to cook in the air fryer will vary depending on how you prepare them. This recipe pounds the chicken to about ¼ of an inch thick, allowing it to cook quicker.
However, no matter the temperature you cook chicken breasts in the air fryer at, the chicken breasts are done cooking when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. So, however long it takes for the chicken to reach that temp, is how long they need to cook for.
Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you definitely can put raw chicken in an air fryer. It's one of the fastest, easiest, and most consistent ways to cook chicken.
Can you cook frozen chicken breasts in air fryer?
Yes, you can! Making air fryer frozen chicken breasts is just as quick and easy to do.
Just add the seasoning to the chicken before you freeze it. Then, coat the air fryer basket with baking spray and cook the frozen chicken at 400°F (205°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. And make sure to check that the internal temperature is at 165°F before serving.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Try Next
If you liked this air fryer chicken breast, I have a bunch of other easy air fryer recipes you can try next!
Check these out:
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer turkey tenderloin recipe
- Air fryer cornish hen
- Air fryer kale chips
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Air fryer sweet potatoes
And for even more tender, juicy, meaty deliciousness, give these baked turkey wings, these baked chicken legs, or this carne picada recipe a go soon too.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe (Cooks In Just 8 Minutes)
Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
This air fryer chicken breast cooks to perfection in just 8 minutes! It's as juicy as chicken can get, and this recipe includes an optional dry rub that makes bland chicken a thing of the past.
Ingredients
- 2 Medium/Large Chicken Breasts (200g-250g)
- Seasoning and Marinade of Choice
Optional dry rub:
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- Pinch of Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C) - don't worry if it doesn't heat up all the way - you just want it hot.
- Add the chicken to a large plastic bag, and use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken until it's about ¼ inch thick.
- Add dry rub ingredients to a small bowl, and mix until combined.
- Sprinkle an equal amount of the rub on both sides of the chicken, and work it into the meat with your hands.
- Coat the air fryer basket with baking spray, and add the chicken breasts to it.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8 minutes (or until the chicken reaches 162°F). Flip the chicken at the 4-minute mark.
- Remove from the air fryer, and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. It should reach 165°F while resting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 128Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 28g
