Want to learn how to make the best air fryer chicken breasts? I've got you with this quick, easy, and super delicious recipe. They come together in under 15 minutes and are the perfect staple for any meal.
Perfectly seasoned on the outside and incredibly moist and juicy all throughout the inside? Check, check.
A Secret to Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts is the dry brine
Dry brine is the process of salting food and letting it rest before cooking it.
Dry brining uses the food's own moisture to form the brine that then soaks back in.
Along with producing juicy, flavorful results, dry brining also helps us achieve better browning and crispy skin.
Is the dry brine necessary?
This is my second time dry brining chicken breasts, and I 100% without a doubt recommend it.
Breasts can very easily become dry, overcooked, and underwhelming. I taste a huge difference in flavor and texture between a non-brined chicken breast and one that is salt brined.
The step is so incredibly painless, quick, and easy.
The process is simply covering them in a layer of kosher salt and letting them sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
How long do you cook chicken breasts in air fryer?
This will vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size / thickness of the chicken breasts.
However, you can expect cooking times to be as following:
- Small Breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes
- Medium Breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes
- Large Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes
Chicken breasts need to be flipped halfway through for even cooking throughout.
How to make air fryer chicken breasts
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Lightly tenderize the breasts with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to an even thickness.
Place chicken breasts on a plate or in Tupperware and sprinkle evenly with kosher salt. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes but up to 24 hours.
I highly recommend taking this step as it makes for a more moist and evenly cooked chicken breast.
When ready to air fry: remove chicken from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 20 mins.
In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices. Set aside.
In a large bowl, transfer the chicken over and add oil. Sprinkle spices on top, and toss to combine and coat the chicken as evenly as possible all over.
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken smooth side down into the air fryer basket and let it cook for about 6-7 minutes.
Remove air fryer basket, and carefully flip over chicken breasts. Cook on the other inside another 4-8 minutes, until the internal temperature has reached about 160F. This is technically a few degrees before it reaches 165F (safe internal temp to eat chicken at) but it will finish cooking in the basket after it has been removed and turned off.
The total cooking time will vary slightly depending on air fryer and thickness/size of breasts. If your chicken breasts are smaller, check on them at about the 8-10 mins total mark. If they are quite large, you’ll be closer to 14-16 minutes total. Keep checking on them, as you do not want to overcook them and dry them out.
Transfer cooked chicken breasts to a plate and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Air fryer chicken breast cooking tips
I have just a few tips to ensure these chicken breasts come out tasting the most delicious every time.
- Do not skip the dry brine. It's so easy and will ensure the breasts stay moist.
- Pound them out so they are an even thickness.
- Take them out a few mins early rather than late so they do not overcook.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check when internal temperature has reached 165F.
If you follow all of those steps, I guarantee you will never go back to cooking your chicken breasts any other way.
Woo hoo!
Storage Tips
To store chicken breasts: Refrigerate in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat: Rewarm setting on the air fryer at 350F for a few minutes until warm to the touch.
Love this chicken recipe? Check out these popular chicken dishes:
Easy Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
One Pan Southwest Chicken and Rice
Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
The Best Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 16 oz boneless skinless chicken breast (two 8oz breasts) see notes for quantity and cooking times
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt for dry brine, see notes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Lightly tenderize the breasts with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to an even thickness.
- Place chicken breasts on a plate or in Tupperware and sprinkle evenly with kosher salt. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 30 minutes but up to 24 hours. I highly recommend taking this step as it makes for a more moist and evenly cooked chicken breast.
- When ready to air fry: remove chicken from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 20 mins.
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, transfer the chicken over and add oil. Sprinkle spices on top, and toss to combine and coat the chicken as evenly as possible all over.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken smooth side down into the air fryer basket and let it cook for about 7-8 minutes.
- Remove air fryer basket, and carefully flip over chicken breasts. Cook on the other inside another 4-6 minutes, until the internal temperature has reached about 160F. This is technically a few degrees before it reaches 165F (safe internal temp to eat chicken at) but it will finish cooking in the basket after it has been removed and turned off.
- The total cooking time will vary slightly depending on air fryer and thickness/size of breasts. If your chicken breasts are smaller, check on them at about the 8-10 mins total mark. If they are quite large, you’ll be closer to 14-16 minutes total. Keep checking on them, as you do not want to overcook them and dry them out. Transfer cooked chicken breasts to a plate and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe assumes you are using two 8oz breasts (4 servings at 4oz each). Adjust time slightly based on scale below.
- Do not skip the dry brine. It's so easy and will ensure the breasts stay moist
- Chicken breasts: Cook times will vary depend on size of breasts. Follow the cooking times here, but do not give it a go without using a digital meat thermometer:
- Small Breasts (5 to 7 ounces each): 7 to 10 mins
- Medium Breasts (8 to 10 ounces each): 10 to 12 mins
- Large Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 mins
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