Air Fryer Chicken Breast
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Last updated on Dec 10, 2024
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This air fryer chicken breast recipe is easy to make, flavorful and results in perfectly tender and moist chicken every time. It makes for a simple and healthy dinner option and is perfect for meal prep.
Sometimes, deciding what to make for dinner feels like more of a chore than the actual cooking. That’s where this air fryer chicken breast recipe comes in. It’s super easy to whip up with pantry staples and works perfectly when you’re short on time. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—you can use it in so many different ways!
Isaac and I make this all the time, especially on busy nights when we need something quick and dependable. The chicken turns out juicy and flavorful every time, and it’s great paired with simple sides like air fryer sweet potato fries or tossed into my kale caesar salad for a healthy meal. Trust me, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious – This recipe guarantees tender, moist chicken every time. No dry chicken here!
- Easy – You only need minimal, pantry staple ingredients and it cooks up quickly.
- Meal prep – Whip up a batch to use in salads, wraps, or alongside veggies for easy meals throughout the week.
- Versatile – It’s a versatile recipe that can be customized to your liking!
// ★★★★★ REVIEW //
“Holy moly I cannot believe how good and easy this was. I love my air fryer and this recipe is just fantastic. The chicken came out so tasty and juicy! Great for meal prepping or just to have on hand.” – Emma
Ingredients Needed
You only need 8 simple pantry staple ingredients (half of which are seasonings) for this air fryer chicken breast recipe. I bet you already have everything in your kitchen!
- chicken breasts – this recipe is perfect for 2 chicken breasts, about 8 ounces each. I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, I haven’t tried bone in chicken or chicken thighs but if you try either, 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 black pepper. Feel free to customize this recipe with different spices. Paprika, chili powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, etc. are all great options.
Recipe Variations
- Want to switch up the marinade? Try this chicken marinade instead!
- Want to use thinly sliced chicken breasts? Try this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe instead!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast
This recipe is such an easy way to cook chicken. There’s no marinating overnight, no breading and no complicated steps. Just coat your chicken breast in a simple marinade and air fry. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Whisk together oil, apple cider vinegar, and dijon mustard for the marinade. Rub chicken with seasoning blend and coat with marinade.
Step 2: Cook chicken for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165ºF, then let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Brittany’s Tips
- Size matters: Look for a package that has two equally sized chicken breasts so they will cook evenly. I used two chicken breasts, about 8 ounces each (1 pound total). If your chicken breasts are smaller or larger, you may need to adjust the cook time and keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Pull chicken from air fryer: Don’t let your chicken breasts sit in the air fryer once fully cooked. I know you might think it’ll keep them warm, but the chicken will continue to cook causing it to dry out!
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 rice and roasted broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes or sautéed green beans 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 vegetables or air fryer zucchini.
- Serve with my healthy ranch pasta salad or healthy pasta salad to turn a side dish into a meal.
- Use in a bowl like this chicken protein bowl.
- Add to a salad like this strawberry salad, cobb salad or easy kale salad.
- 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.
How to Store Leftovers
Air fryer chicken is a perfect meal prep option and will store both in the fridge and the freezer nicely!
In the fridge: 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 refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm the chicken in the oven or air fryer at 350ºF until warm throughout.
In the freezer: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep your chicken breast from drying out in the air fryer, make sure you don’t overcook it. Using a meat thermometer is key. Your chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165ºF. Another tip is to coat the chicken with the marinade before cooking. This helps lock in moisture, keeping the chicken juicy and tender.
Yes, you can absolutely cook raw chicken in an air fryer! Just be sure to season it, and cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. The air fryer cooks chicken quickly and evenly, so it’s a great way to make juicy, flavorful chicken without all the extra oil.
I’m a big fan of preheating the air fryer! It helps get your chicken cooking right away, which means a crispier outside and juicy inside. Think of it like preheating your oven—it’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Yes, you totally can. You’ll just need a bit more patience. Frozen chicken takes about 25-30 minutes at 375ºF. It’s super convenient when you forget to thaw chicken in advance.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Be sure to check out the full collection of the air fryer recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, about 1 lb
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Whisk together oil, apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard in a small bowl and set aside. In a separate small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Pour marinade over chicken breasts.
- Liberally rub seasoning on both sides of chicken.
- Preheat air fryer if required. Add chicken breasts to the air fryer and cook on 375°F for 18-22 minutes, until cooked fully, flipping once halfway. You want the chicken breasts to be 165°F on the inside. Cook time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
- Once cooked, remove chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Enjoy chicken immediately or let cool, package in storage containers and save for later use.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I had five large breasts so adjusted the ingredients accordingly. I had to cook them around 27 minutes to ensure that they were done and let them rest before cutting them up and using them in our cobb salads for dinner. I have quite a bit of leftover meat so am going to use it for Greek salads with chicken later in the week. Very flavorful and juicy – highly recommend!
Love hearing that! So glad the chicken turned out flavorful and juicy, even with the larger batch. Thanks so much for making the recipe and for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
Hi Brittany!!! I am so happy with this recipe, I made it just now and it is a keeper. The outside is a nice crunch and the inside is perfect. Thank you for the time and energy you put into sharing good, healthy food with us. Just delicious and so easy. Thanks!!!!!
Woo!! That makes me happy to hear, Colleen. I’m so glad you loved this recipe—it’s one of my favorites too. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a review. It means the world to me!
Have made this multiple times now, gorgeous every time! The method is so simple, and tastes like it was marinated for hours. Also lends itself to additions in seasonings, flexible, and guidance directions are very helpful. Thanks.
YAY! I am so glad you are loving this recipe and it is a hit for you. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
This recipe is always a hit with my husband! He says it’s one of his comfort meals now. I usually pair it with rice pilaf and a vegetable. This recipe is one of my favorites to cook because it is so easy (no need to marinate for hours!) and flavorful and pairs well with many things.
WOO! This makes me so happy to hear, Jessica. I am so glad you and your husband are loving this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to share your review & star rating, it means so much to me.
What air fryer did you use for your meals? I guess I’ve put it off long enough and we are looking for one to help us cook a bit healthier. Thank you
This is the air fryer I have. I use it daily and LOVE it! https://bit.ly/47Ga8Eo
this was the best most juiciest chicken ever! even my picky child devoured it in seconds
WOO! So glad to hear this recipe is a hit, Sadie. Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review & star rating, I truly appreciate it!
This chicken was oh so good!!! Crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. Will make this one of my regulars!
WOO! My absolute favorite – I am so glad you’re loving this recipe and it turned out amazing for you. Thanks for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!
This recipe is easy and works. Restaurant quality. The chicken was so juicy and flavorful.
WOO! This is the best, Sherry! I am so excited to hear that you are loving this recipe and it turned out great for you. Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Easy, delicious and flavorful! Was fully cooked and not at all dry. We loved it.
Perfect! I am so glad you are loving this recipe and it turned out great for you, Sarah. Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
Hi. What brand, model and quart size is the air fryer you used. I’ve been hesitant to get one. I like the square basket.
Hi Karen – I have the Ninja 4qt air fryer and I really love it. Here is a link to one that is on sale!
Delicious! Love this marinade and my Air fryer. Another great recipe from you!
Yay! I am glad you are loving this recipe! Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I so appreciate it.
I have different functions on my Ninja. I have air crisp, grill, bake, or roast? Which do you suggest for your recipe?
Thanks,
Kellie
Hi Kellie, all air fryers are different so you might need to play around to find what works best. I would probably recommend roast first!
I have never been confident cooking chicken as it usually comes out dry. This recipe, however was so easy and the chicken came out delicious and juicy. This will now be my go to chicken recipe.
That’s so great to hear, Raquel! I’m glad this recipe worked out for you. Thank you for your comment and review!
I love this chicken marinade. It’s now my go-to favorite.
Woo! I’m so pumped to hear that you love this chicken marinade, Ashlee. I’m hooked on it too!
This chicken was so tender and flavorful! We loved it
Woo! Glad to hear it, Deb. Thanks for leaving a review, I appreciate it.
Thank you for such valuable information. You nailed it.
Thanks, Tayyaba!
Easy to make and sooo good! Perfect for a quick weekend meal! Thanks for sharing!
Woo! I’m so happy this recipe was a success for you, Siri. Thank you for your kind review and star rating! 🙂
This was the first time I cooked a chicken breast in the air fryer!
OMG! It came out soooo good and the family loved it.
Holy moly I cannot believe how good and easy this was. I love my air fryer and this recipe is just fantastic. The chicken came out so tasty and juicy! Great for meal prepping or just to have on hand.
Yay! This makes me so happy to hear, Emma! We LOVE our air fryer, it really is so easy. Thanks for making this and coming back to leave a review, I appreciate it!
Excellent! I forgot to flip halfway. Doesn’t matter. Amazing flavour. Juicy and delicious!
Woo! So glad to hear this recipe worked out for you, Kara! Thanks for leaving a review and star rating, I really appreciate it.
Absolutely delicious!! Made it exactly how Brittany published the recipe. We are adding this into our rotation – thank you!! Love your website!!
Woo!! Happy to hear this, Mary. So glad everyone enjoyed this chicken. Thanks for the review!
I’m not a huge chicken fan but I will be now. This is such an easy recipe I found it hard to believe it would come out with such flavor and moisture. Easy to meal prep and add to any dish for extra protein. I omitted the mustard and it was great!
Happy to hear you enjoyed this air fryer chicken breast, Melissa. Thanks for trying it out and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
This was so easy and so delicious! A few simple steps and no long marinade time. My husband and I loved it! We’ll definitely being making this again!
Yay!! Happy to hear this air fryer chicken was a hit, Mary. Thanks so much for trying it out and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
Yum!! This was so good. The marinade made the chicken taste so good. It was so JUICY. I will definitely make this again.
Steve
How long did you leave chicken in the marinade?
Hey Joni! When I made this I didn’t let the chicken marinade for long. After adding the marinade I immediately rubbed on the dry seasonings and put it in the air fryer. That said, you can totally let the chicken marinade for 1-2 hours or overnight to soak up more of the flavors.