Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast in Minutes

Air fried chicken breast garnished with fresh parsley and slices of lemon on a white serving plate.

Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast in Minutes

Enjoy juicy, tender air fryer chicken breast cooked to perfection in minutes. Simple to prepare, this quick recipe ensures a flavorful and healthy meal every time!

No ratings yet

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 22

Total Time: 27

Author: Heather Painchaud

Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1.5 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried onion
¼ teaspoon dried garlic
2 tablespoons 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, 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 with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
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 chicken breasts in the air fryer at 380°F (190°C) for 22 minutes until they are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Flip them halfway through the cooking time for even cooking.
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.

Notes

If you find that your chicken is quite damp, especially if it has been in the freezer, pat it dry with paper towels before coating it with the marinade.
If the pieces of chicken are quite different sizes, pound them to an even thickness. This will allow for more even cooking.
You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Adjust the cooking time if needed based on the thickness of the chicken thighs.
If you don't have dried onion and garlic, you can substitute onion powder and garlic powder instead.
You can omit the extra spices if you prefer a simpler flavor profile. The chicken will still be delicious with just the paprika, salt, pepper, and avocado oil.
Alternately, you can add extra spices or use your favorite seasoning blend. Try Italian seasoning or this homemade taco seasoning**. For a little extra heat, throw in red pepper flakes or cayenne.
Use an instant read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken breasts has reached 165°F (74°C) before serving.
You can marinate the chicken breasts overnight in the refrigerator for even more flavor. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before air frying.
Cover leftovers with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Nutrition