FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You Need My Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Cook Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
- Chicken Breast Air Fryer Time
- My Recipe Tips
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast (Extra Juicy Recipe) Recipe card
- Serving Ideas
- More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Recipe Reviews
If I had to pick one method for cooking chicken breast for the rest of my life, this air fryer chicken breast would be it. Ever since I first made it 4 years ago, it has become my go-to for every situation. I make it when I have no idea what’s for dinner , when I need cooked chicken for another healthy recipe , when I want something quick and easy, when my side dish takes more time so I want my main to be simple, the list goes on. Cooking chicken breast in the air fryer is quicker than virtually every other method, and the results are juicier. When I want basic-but-juicy chicken, it’s the only way I cook it now. Make it with me and you’ll see why!
Why You Need My Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
- The juiciest chicken breast you’ll have – Nothing makes your chicken juicy and tender quite like the air fryer. It’s incredible. And unlike most air fryer chicken breast recipes, mine has one extra (quick!) step that makes it even more juicy.
- Faster than other methods – While I love pan seared chicken breast and oven baked chicken breast in their own ways, cooking chicken breast in the air fryer is much faster than both of them. And with even better results.
- Easy protein for dinner, lunch, or meal prep – My recipe has just a few simple ingredients you probably have, and the flavor goes with anything. I already mentioned many of the ways I use it, and you’ll do the same once you try it!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for cooking chicken breast in the air fryer, what each one does in my recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
Chicken:
I tested this recipe for boneless skinless chicken breast . I love this organic brand that gets delivered right to your door. Bone-in chicken breast will work, but will take longer.
Oil & Spices:
- Olive Oil – While air frying chicken breast doesn’t need a lot, I still recommend some to prevent drying out — and get the beautiful golden color in my pictures. I use this olive oil , but any neutral oil will work.
- Spices – Garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
Seasoning Variations:
I keep this air fryer chicken breast recipe basic, so that it goes with everything, but I’ve also made it with Cajun seasoning , fajita seasoning , taco seasoning , lemon pepper , and ranch seasoning (please not all at once, ha).
My rule of thumb is 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of chicken. My homemade blends include salt, but if yours does not, also add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of chicken.
Optional Brine:
I think brining even briefly makes this the juiciest, best air fryer chicken breast recipe — and it’s what makes it juicier than others I’ve tried. But if you don’t have time, you can skip this part.
My basic brine is simply 1 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 it helps the water transfer into the chicken to keep it juicy. I rinse the chicken before seasoning, so it doesn’t turn out too salty.
How To Cook Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Brine if you can (optional). Fill a large bowl with water and stir in salt. Add the chicken, submerge, and brine for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to a day in the fridge. (Like I said, you can skip this step if you really want to, but it’s my secret for extra juicy results!) Rinse off the brine when done.
- Pat the chicken dry. I just use a paper towel. I highly recommend doing this even if you skip the brine!
- Oil and season. Brush it with olive oil (you can also spray with an oil mister like this ), and sprinkle on your favorite seasonings. Make sure to get both sides!
- Air fry until golden and juicy. 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 breast until done — see my time chart and timing tips below.
- Rest. Remove and tent the air fryer basket with foil. Let the air fryer chicken breast rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Chicken Breast Air Fryer Time
How long I cook chicken breast in the air fryer depends on the size. This handy time chart gets me consistent results:
My tips on timing:
- For even better results, I recommend using a probe thermometer like this . It beeps when it’s ready! An instant read thermometer will also work, but you won’t know until you check.
- Cook to slightly under 165 degrees F and let it finish while resting. Of course your air fried chicken breast needs to reach 165 to be safe, but I prefer to cook to 163 degrees F and it rises a few more degrees when it rests. With this method, my chicken is never dry!
My Recipe Tips
- How long to brine, and do you have to do this step? I usually only brine the chicken for 10 minutes and it makes a big difference, so don’t write it off just yet for time reasons! But if you’re really in a rush, it’s just fine to skip it. Alternatively, you can brine for up to 24 hours in the fridge if you want to prep in the morning or the day before.
- Rinsing off the brine is crucial. If you don’t, your chicken will be too salty.
- Leave space between chicken breasts. If you crowd the air fryer, they won’t cook evenly and will take much longer. I can fit 4 average chicken breasts in my air fryer , but cook in batches if yours don’t fit.
- Do you need to preheat the air fryer? Honestly, it’s up to you! Preheating is important for some of my air fryer recipes (like air fryer turkey burgers or air fryer steak ) where you need an immediate sear, but for air fryer chicken breast I don’t find it makes much difference either way.
- Do you need to flip the chicken? Again, it’s up to you! I usually don’t for ease and my air fried chicken breast still always turned out juicy, but it does brown on top more than the bottom. You can flip it if perfectly even browning is important to you.
- Slice against the grain. This tip is more common for steak , but it’s helpful for chicken, too! Pay attention to how the lines run and cut the opposite way for a more tender bite.
- Forgot to thaw your chicken breast? You can cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer similarly to how I cook my air fryer frozen chicken wings ! Just air fry at 350 degrees F first, then remove, oil and season, and return to the air fryer at the higher temperature for the normal amount of time based on my time chart above.
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
Brine Chicken:
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts ▢
- 4 cups Water ▢
- 1/4 cup Sea salt ▢
Seasoning:
- 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
- 1 tsp Garlic powder ▢
- 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
- 1/2 tsp Paprika ▢
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Optional (but recommended) step: To brine the chicken breasts, stir the salt into the water in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts, submerging them. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature, or for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Rinse the brine from the chicken, then pat dry. (I recommend patting the chicken dry even if you didn’t brine it.)
- Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (I have and love this air fryer for its roomy basket!), with the pieces not touching each other or at most barely touching.
- Air fry chicken breasts at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), until the internal temperature reaches 163-165 degrees F (73-74 degrees C). (Internal temperature will rise another few degrees while resting in the next step, and should reach at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).) As a guideline, air fry 7-10 minutes for small chicken breasts (5-7 oz), 10-12 minutes for medium (8-10 oz), or 12-16 minutes for large (11-12 oz).
- Remove the basket from the air fryer and cover it with foil. Rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 chicken breast
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get consistently juicy, tender results, options for skipping the brine, notes on flipping and preheating, and how to air fry chicken breast from frozen.
- Perfect timing: See my air fryer time notes above for a time chart and tips to avoid drying out the chicken.
- Store: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. My serving ideas here also include recipes to use leftovers.
- Reheat: Warm up the chicken breast in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. I don’t preheat, just pop it in the basket and set it to 1 or 2 minutes.
- Freeze: Store the chicken in a zip lock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Serving Ideas
I meant it when I said air fryer chicken breast goes with everything! Here are some of the dishes I pair with it or use it for:
- Vegetables – Chicken and veggies are pretty much my go-to I-don’t-know-what’s-for-dinner meal. You can roast asparagus or smashed brussels sprouts , or saute broccoli or green beans almondine (pictured below) while you have the chicken breast in the air fryer. If you prefer your entire meal air fried, I recommend cooking quick air fryer cauliflower or air fryer carrots as the chicken rests.
- Starches – When I plate it over roasted potatoes , rice, or mashed cauliflower , I like a topping of mushroom sauce or lemon butter sauce . You can also serve air fryer sweet potato fries on the side.
- Salads – My simple go-to for a side is cucumber tomato salad , but I also love air fryer chicken breast in meal salads, like Cobb salad and green goddess salad .
- Sandwiches – Slice the chicken to make sandwiches or wraps. I love it in a lettuce wrap!
- Casseroles – Dice the chicken for my chicken bacon ranch casserole or chicken broccoli casserole .
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
I use my air fryer for every cut of chicken! If you like my air fryer chicken breast recipe, try one of my others next:
Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |
Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |
Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |
Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |
Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |
Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .
Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!
Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:
Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Air Fryer Chicken Breast (Extra Juicy Recipe)
This air fryer chicken breast recipe with simple seasoning turns out extra juicy and tender with my easy method. A fast, healthy dinner!
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-chicken-breast/
Ingredients
Brine Chicken:
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Sea salt
Seasoning:
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Optional (but recommended) step: To brine the chicken breasts, stir the salt into the water in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts, submerging them. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature, or for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Rinse the brine from the chicken, then pat dry. (I recommend patting the chicken dry even if you didn’t brine it.)
- Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (I have and love this air fryer for its roomy basket!), with the pieces not touching each other or at most barely touching.
- Air fry chicken breasts at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), until the internal temperature reaches 163-165 degrees F (73-74 degrees C). (Internal temperature will rise another few degrees while resting in the next step, and should reach at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).) As a guideline, air fry 7-10 minutes for small chicken breasts (5-7 oz), 10-12 minutes for medium (8-10 oz), or 12-16 minutes for large (11-12 oz).
- Remove the basket from the air fryer and cover it with foil. Rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 chicken breast
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get consistently juicy, tender results, options for skipping the brine, notes on flipping and preheating, and how to air fry chicken breast from frozen.
- Perfect timing: See my air fryer time notes above for a time chart and tips to avoid drying out the chicken.
- Store: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. My serving ideas here also include recipes to use leftovers.
- Reheat: Warm up the chicken breast in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. I don’t preheat, just pop it in the basket and set it to 1 or 2 minutes.
- Freeze: Store the chicken in a zip lock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)
