Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to prepare juicy, tender chicken breasts with a perfectly seasoned crust. Using an air fryer ensures a healthier, less oily meal with a beautifully cooked interior and a slightly crispy exterior in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground paprika (or a mix of regular and smoked ground paprika)
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes to ensure it’s properly preheated. Meanwhile, place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness of about 0.5 to 0.75 inches to promote even cooking.
- Season chicken: Rub the chicken breasts on both sides with olive oil to help the seasoning stick and enhance browning. In a small bowl, combine the ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, light brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken breasts.
- Air fry: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate freely. Air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through if desired, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest: Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and tender chicken breast. Serve immediately after resting.
Notes
- Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and better texture.
- Flattening the chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook uniformly.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for safe doneness.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps retain juices and improves flavor.
