Description
This easy air fryer chicken breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken in just 20 minutes—perfect for topping cozy fall soups, salads, or meal prep. Minimal cleanup and endlessly customizable with your favorite seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional: oregano, basil, thyme)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, butterfly or pound to about 1-inch thickness for even cooking.
- In a bowl, toss chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs. Rub to coat evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 2 minutes.
- Place chicken breasts in air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 7 minutes.
- Flip chicken breasts with tongs. Air fry another 6-8 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Check for doneness: internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) or juices run clear and meat is opaque.
- Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
- Slice across the grain and serve as desired (on soup, salad, sandwiches, or alone).
Notes
For extra crispy edges, air fry at 400°F for the last 2 minutes. Don’t skip the resting step for juiciness. Season boldly, and flip halfway for even browning. Can use chicken thighs (add 2-3 minutes cook time) or swap seasonings for different flavor profiles. Store leftovers in airtight container up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (ab
- Calories: 155
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Protein: 26
Keywords: air fryer chicken breast, juicy chicken, fall soup topper, easy chicken recipe, meal prep, gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy chicken, weeknight dinner