Air Fryer Chicken Breast

4.93

Published Dec 30, 2021, Updated Sep 12, 2023

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How to make air fryer chicken breasts that are perfectly tender and moist. They’re flavorful, easy to make and super versatile. Enjoy right away for a simple dinner or use for meal prep throughout the week.

Sometimes thinking of what to serve for dinner feels like more of a chore than actually making dinner itself. Enter air fryer chicken breasts. This recipe is so easy to make and uses pantry staple items so it’s perfect in a pinch! Plus, its super versatile and can be used in so many recipes that you’ll come back to this recipe time and time again!

Isaac and I make a version of this dinner multiple times a week, especially when we’re both really busy. Its just dependable like that! The chicken always comes out moist and flavorful and it’s easy to serve with other meal prep items like rice and veggies for a healthy meal.

An overhead photo of a plate containing a sliced air fryer chicken breast served with brown rice and zucchini.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make perfectly tender and moist chicken every time!
You only need minimal, pantry staple ingredients and it’s super easy to put together.
It’s great for weekly meal prep!
It’s a versatile recipe that can be customized to your liking!

Ingredients measured out to make air fryer chicken: chicken breasts, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper and dijon mustard.

Here’s What You Need

chicken breasts – this recipe is perfect for 2 chicken breasts, about 1 lb total. I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, I haven’t tried bone in chicken but if you try it, let me know how it comes out in the comments!
olive oil – helps to keep the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket and helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken.
apple cider vinegar – this helps tenderize the meat and gives it a great flavor.
dijon mustard – pairs nicely with the apple cider vinegar and imparts a delicious flavor.
seasonings – garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

pro tip! 
Look for a package that has two equally sized chicken breasts so they will cook evenly.

Side by side photos of chicken breasts in an air fryer basket, before and after being cooked.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Start by gathering your ingredients. Whisk together the oil, apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard in a small bowl and then set it aside. In a separate bowl, mix together the seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. In a third bowl, pour the marinade over the chicken breasts and then liberally rub the seasoning on both sides of the chicken.

Preheat or turn your air fryer on to 375ºF and add the seasoned chicken breasts to the air fryer basket and cook for 18-22 minutes. You’ll want to make sure you flip the chicken about halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken breasts need to reach 165ºF on the inside, so keep in mind your cook time will vary depending on the size of each breast.

Once cooked, remove from the air fryer and let the chicken rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

A close up of an air fried chicken breast in an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer FAQ

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

That depends on your air fryer! Some recommend preheating and others do not require it. Check your owners’ manual to see what they recommend. If you don’t have a preheat setting, just set your air fryer to the required temperature about 3 minutes before adding your food.

How much can I put into my air fryer?

It depends on the size of your basket. You’ll want to make sure you don’t overcrowd the basket or your food will not get crispy. You may need to cook in batches.

Can I use aerosol spray on my air fryer?

I do not recommend using aerosol spray on your air fryer! Like most non-stick items, it’s best to avoid sprays like Pam as it can mess with the finish.

A closeup photo of an air fryer chicken breast sliced and served on a plate with brown rice and zucchini.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken

The beauty of this air fryer recipe is that it produces super flavorful chicken that you can use in a variety of ways! Here are some ideas for easy week night dinners and meal prep!

Busy day and don’t know what to make for dinner? Make air fryer chicken and serve it with a side of easy cilantro rice and roasted broccoli or roasted asparagus for a complete meal with proteins, fats and carbs. Better yet, while you’re letting the chicken sit after cooking, use your air fryer to make air fryer brussels sprouts!
Serve with my healthy ranch pasta salad or healthy pasta salad to turn a side dish into a meal.
Shred the chicken and use it in chicken noodle soup, white bean chicken chili, confetti chicken casserole or curried chicken salad. Shredded chicken would also be great addition to a stir fry.

An air fryer chicken breast sliced and served on a plate with brown rice and zucchini. A fork rests on the plate with a piece of chicken.

How to Store And Meal Prep

Air fryer chicken is a perfect meal prep option and will store both in the fridge and the freezer nicely!

Just prepare the chicken as the recipe states, let it cool slightly and then put it in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

If you are going to freeze it, I suggest portioning out your chicken ahead of time and freezing individually, that way you can just take out the container or ziplock containing what you need instead of all of it at once! Even better? Pre-shred or chop for easier defrosting. The chicken will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to use your freezer air fryer chicken, place it in the fridge about 24 hours before you want to use it so it has time to thaw.

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