Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

5 from 1 vote

These juicy chicken breasts are a quick, high protein option, perfect to build a meal around! Use my simple spice marinade, or choose from a flavorful marinade option in the notes section.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: chicken breasts

Calories: 324kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Equipment

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice optional
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon Kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
black pepper to taste

Instructions

Add chicken breasts to a large bowl or marinade container. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and lemon juice, and sprinkle the sea salt, black pepper, and herbs over the chicken. Toss to evenly coat. The chicken can be cooked directly after this step or marinated for 1-2 days prior to cooking.
Preheat the air fryer at 390º F for 5 minutes.
Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and air fry for 12-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. It also takes longer to cook 2 or 3 chicken breasts than 1.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check for the doneness of your chicken breasts. The recommended internal temperature of chicken is 165º F.
Allow the chicken breasts to rest for 5-10 minutes prior to slicing them or serving them. The chicken comes out of the air fryer juicy – so this step allows the moisture to settle back into the meat prior to cutting it.

Notes

How Long to Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer

1 small breast (5-7 ounces): 12 minutes

1 large breast (8-10 ounces): 18 minutes

2 small breasts (5-7 ounces each): 16 minutes

2 large breasts (8-10 ounces each): 20 minutes

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (1 ounce strips, 8 tenders): 10 minutes

Air fryers are all different, so get to know how long you cook yours in your particular machine. An instant read thermometer will do wonders for your chicken breast game! (no dry, rubbery chicken!)

If you want juicy chicken breasts, do not over cook them! I pull my chicken out at about 160º F and allow the temperature to come up as they rest.

How to Meal Prep Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

The great thing about these chicken breasts is that they come out so moist, they work great for meal prep. They will still be moist if you cook them ahead of time – enjoy reheated or cold!

Once the chicken breasts are cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Chicken Marinade Variations

Make these chicken breasts using your favorite dry rub or marinade! Here are a few of my favorites:

Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breasts

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Add chicken to a large bowl or marinade container. Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil. Combine all the spices and salt in a bowl, and then sprinkle over the chicken, tossing to evenly coat it. This spice marinade is best if left to marinate overnight. Air fry as directed in the main recipe.

Ginger Sesame Chicken Breasts

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
1/3 cup coconut aminos
1 teaspoon ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Add chicken to a large bowl or marinade container. Add in the coconut aminos, ginger powder, and sea salt. Shake to evenly coat the chicken. This marinade is best if allowed to marinate at least 8 hours, up to overnight. Over-marinating (over 24 hours) leaves the chicken overly tender and gives it an unpleasant texture. Air fry the chicken as directed in the main recipe.

Lemon Thyme Chicken Breasts

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)
1 teaspoon sea salt
black pepper, to taste

Add chicken to a large bowl or marinade container. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle the chicken with thyme, sea salt, and black pepper, and shake to evenly coat the chicken. This is a versatile marinade that is good cooked directly after mixing, or left to marinate up to 2 days. Air fry the chicken as directed in the main recipe.

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