Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast

If you’ve been searching for a way to cook juicy, tender chicken breasts, this air fryer chicken breast recipe is the answer. Here’s how.

Mix the Spices

Combine the spices in a small bowl. This makes it easier to evenly sprinkle them onto the chicken.

Pound the Chicken

Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet or a rolling pin, so they have a uniform thickness and cook evenly in the air fryer. If using a meat mallot, use the flat side to pound the chicken. The textured side is for tenderizing tougher cuts of meat.

Season the Chicken

Rub the oil on the chicken, and generously sprinkle the spice mixture on all sides.

Air Fry the Chicken

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket (no need to spray or oil the basket). Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Using the Air Fryer Chicken

Cooking chicken breast in the air fryer means you can have perfectly cooked chicken on hand to use in all kinds of delicious ways.

Of course, air fryer chicken breast can be served as is, with a side of yummy veggies. Or, you can use it to top your favorite green salad like this strawberry chicken spinach salad.

You can also cut the air fryer chicken up and tuck some inside a corn tortilla with your favorite salsa, for a quick and easy Taco Tuesday. Or use it as the base for creamy white chicken chili.

One of our favorite ways to use air fryer chicken breast is in chicken salad. Because everyone loves bacon and ranch, we suggest you try chicken bacon ranch potato salad for a fun twist on a classic.

Finally, for a sure-fire family favorite, you can always turn to this one pan Tuscan chicken pasta bake.

Seasoning Ideas

The sky is the limit when it comes to seasoning your air fryer chicken breasts. In our air fryer chicken breast recipe, we use a basic seasoning blend of paprika, onion, and garlic powder, but there are loads of other options.

Depending on how you’re going to use the chicken, you might want to coat in taco seasoning or add chili powder to the mix. Lemon pepper or Montreal seasoning could also be good choices.

There are so many options for BBQ dry rubs available on the grocery store shelves, and any of them could work well on your air fryer chicken breast. Just make sure they aren’t high in sugar, as that might burn in the cooking process.

Once your juicy air fryer chicken breast has been cooked, you can slather on a yummy sauce. Your favorite barbecue sauce or salsa would be a great place to start. Or you can always serve another sauce on the side for dipping, like a BBQ sauce or a creamy ranch or Caesar dressing.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Cooked air fryer chicken breasts should be cooled completely and kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

There are several ways to reheat the chicken after it’s been chilled. You could use the air fryer, a microwave, or stovetop. What’s important to remember, though, is that you need to bring your chicken back to 165°F internally.

The easiest way to reheat is to use your air fryer at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes, but you could also pop it into your microwave for 30-second increments, until it’s hot.

On the stovetop, place the chicken in a skillet with a little broth or water and cook, covered, on low for 10 to 15 minutes. 

More Air Fryer Recipes

Now that you’ve mastered our air fryer chicken breast recipe, you’ll want to start exploring all the other ways you can use your air fryer.

Rosemary Potatoes are one of our favorites, and it’s a perfect simple side to pair with chicken, fish, or beef entrees.

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders are great for a meal or snack. Cheddar and ranch, yes please!

Italian Pork Chops for tender, flavor-filled chops, perfect for a dinner for two.

Cinnamon Roll Bites for breakfast, or even dessert; we love these sweet treats.