I’ve always made either pan seared or baked chicken breast recipes, but recently I decided to try my hand at an easy air fryer chicken breast recipe. And I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner! Not only does chicken breast in the air fryer cook in a fraction of the time (10 minutes!), thanks to the circulating hot air, but it comes out juicier than ever. You can season this air fryer boneless chicken breast simply or with some of the ideas below, so that you can use it for a quick dinner, meal prepped lunch, or even to use it over salads, sandwiches, wraps, or in casseroles. If you love easy chicken recipes (one of my favorite proteins!), be sure to try my asparagus stuffed chicken, pan seared chicken breast, or cheesy bacon ranch chicken next time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking boneless skinless chicken breast in air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Chicken breasts – This recipe makes boneless skinless chicken breast in the air fryer, but technically it would work with bone-in as well; I just haven’t tested the cook time for bone-in, so you’d need to use a probe thermometer (which I recommend anyway!) to check when it’s done. For boneless, I love this organic brand that gets delivered right to your door.Brine – You’ll need water and sea salt to make the brine. You’ll need enough water to submerge the chicken (about 4 cups in a large bowl) and a tablespoon of salt per cup of water. That may seem like a lot, but not nearly all the salt will make it into the chicken, and this ratio helps ensure that osmosis takes place to get as much of the water into the chicken as possible, for the best air fryer chicken breast. (I promise, the chicken won’t taste overly salty, and you’ll rinse the excess brine from the chicken before cooking.)Olive Oil – Brushing the chicken with oil helps prevent it from drying out. Any neutral oil, such as avocado oil, would also work. Spices – The basics I used are garlic powder (onion powder also works great), sea salt, paprika, and black pepper. See other seasoning options below.
Seasoning Variations
Lemon Pepper – You can use store-bought, or make your own with this lemon pepper seasoning recipe.Cajun – Making your own Cajun seasoning is super easy, or use your favorite store-bought brand.Mexican – Try my 5-minute fajita seasoning or taco seasoning blends.Ranch Seasoning – I love having homemade ranch seasoning mix on-hand at all times, but you can also use the ranch seasoning that comes in packets.
SEASONING TIP: A good rule of thumb is 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of seasoning (salt included) per pound of chicken breast. My homemade blends include salt, but if yours does not, also add about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of chicken.
How To Cook Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make air fryer chicken breast, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Brine. In a large bowl, stir salt into water. Add the raw chicken breast and submerge in water. Let brine for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to a day in the fridge. (You can skip this step if you really want to, but it’s the secret to the most perfect, juicy air fryer chicken breast!)Dry. Rinse off the brine, then pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Oil. Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil. (You can also spray with an oil mister if you have one.)Season. Sprinkle the chicken breasts evenly with the seasoning mixture: paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
Air fry. Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket (I have and love this air fryer which has a really roomy basket!). Air fry chicken until internal temperature reaches 163-165 degrees F.
TIP: Leave space between chicken breasts. It’s important that the chicken breasts are only minimally touching, if at all, so that they cook evenly. Cook in batches if necessary.
Rest. Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and cover with foil. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before enjoying! When ready to serve, slice against the grain.
How long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?
The boneless chicken breast air fryer cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts. The following chart shows a general guideline for how long to air fry them based on their size: This chart is a good guideline, but I recommend using a probe thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken breast (it will beep when ready!). An instant read thermometer will also work, but you won’t know until you check. The safest temp is 165 degrees F, but I prefer to cook until it reaches 163 degrees F, then let it rest for 5 minutes to reach at least 165. Internal temperature continues to rise while resting, so cooking until slightly less will ensure that the chicken does not come out dry.
What is the right air fryer chicken breast temperature?
Air frying chicken breasts at 400 degrees F produces the juiciest results, as the quick cook time prevents them from drying out.
Can you cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer. Thawing and brining it gives it better flavor and definitely keeps it juicy, but you can cook it directly from frozen. Cooking time will be closer to 18-20 minutes.
Can you use this method for other cuts of chicken?
Yes, you can air fry any cut of chicken. The cooking time will vary depending on cut. I have specific recipes for air fryer chicken drumsticks, air fryer wings, and air fryer whole chicken that you can use.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers: Keep leftover chicken in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.Reheat: Warm up the chicken in the air fryer again, or in a hot skillet, just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook, or it will be dry.Freeze: Freeze chicken breast in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Breast
For a healthy meal, pair air fryer chicken breast recipes with simple veggie sides:
Roasted AsparagusCrispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts (or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts if you want to use the same appliance!)Sauteed Broccoli (pictured above)Green Beans AlmondineZucchini Fries
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
If you like this air fryer boneless chicken breast recipe, you might also like some of these other air fryer chicken recipes:
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken WingsAir Fryer Chicken ThighsWhole Chicken In The Air FryerAir Fryer Chicken LegsKeto Fried Chicken In The Air Fryer
Find more healthy air fryer recipes here! Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
