These Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts come out golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and are great on salads, in sandwiches, or as a weeknight dinner. Perfectly juicy, super simple, and ready in under 30 minutes, no grill or oven required.
This recipe keeps things simple and flavor-forward with pantry spices and just one main tool: your air fryer.
Recipe Highlights
- Cook Time: 22 minutes (plus marinating)
- Servings: 3 juicy chicken breasts
- Key Ingredients: Chicken breast, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, avocado oil
- Who This Recipe Is For: Busy cooks, air fryer owners, meal preppers
- Variations: Add herbs, lemon zest, or spicy African-inspired rubs
I still remember the first time I air-fried chicken breasts. I was nervous they’d dry out. But after the first bite, tender meat and that golden color, I knew this was a keeper. I serve it with quick salads, roasted veggies, or some crispy baked potato wedges.
This recipe is designed to be fail-safe, flavorful, and flexible for so many meals. It's just as easy to make as my air fryer chicken legs, but chicken breasts are super versatile! You can use them again in Yakisoba noodles, a stir-fry, or layered in a pita pocket.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Minimal prep, quick marinating, and no flipping frenzy.
- Juicy Every Time: Balanced spice blend + the perfect temperature.
- Family Friendly: Mild, comforting flavors everyone enjoys.
- Meal Prep Perfect: Great warm, chilled, or reheated.
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Ingredients Used
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless for tender meat.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds warm smokiness.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasoning foundation.
- Dried Onion & Garlic: Flavor without prep work.
- Avocado Oil: Helps spices stick and locks in moisture.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap avocado oil with olive oil or melted butter.
- Add lemon zest or lemon juice for brightness.
- Try African spice blends like suya or peri-peri rubs for more punch.
- Use fresh garlic & onion if you prefer, just mince and toss.
- Sprinkle fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro) after cooking.
How to make Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, chopped onion, minced garlic, and avocado oil to create a marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and coat them evenly. Marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer (rounded side down).
- Cook the chicken breasts in the air fryer at 380°F (190°C) for 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired, and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip preheating: It helps form a golden exterior.
- Flip halfway: For even color and crisp edges.
- Internal temperature matters: Aim for 165°F for safe, juicy chicken.
- If breasts are thick, add 2–3 minutes per side.
- For frozen breasts, thaw first for best results.
Thickness Cooking Chart
How long you air-fry chicken breasts depends on their thickness. Use this handy chart to determine your cooking time. This will prevent your chicken from drying out in the air fryer.
| Breast Size | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5–6 oz | 380°F | 16–18 min |
| 7–8 oz | 380°F | 18–22 min |
| 9–10 oz | 380°F | 22–25 min |
Top Tip
If you want extra juicy chicken, marinate it for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. This gives the spices time to reach deeper into the meat and keeps it succulent.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but thaw them first for the best texture and even cooking.
Check the internal temperature — overcooking is the main reason. Remove once it hits 165°F (74°C).
Yes — flipping halfway ensures even browning.
Absolutely — store in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for 2–3 months.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this Air fryer chicken breast or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon Avocado Oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, dried onion, minced garlic, and avocado oil to create a marinade.2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1.5 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper, ¼ teaspoon Onion powder, ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder, 2 tablespoon Avocado Oil
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and coat them evenly with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- After marinating, remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer (rounded side down).
- Cook the chicken breasts in the air fryer at 380°F (190°C) for 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired, and serve with your favorite side dishes.
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