Incredibly Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts coated in a delicious spice rub made with dried basil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin to make it one tender bite. It’s a quick dinner option that everyone will love!

We love to serve this on top of my Strawberry Spinach Salad or alongside my crispy garlic herb roasted potatoes and air fryer green beans.

Easy, Juicy Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

This is one of those recipes that you’ll come back to time and time again. It’s perfect for when you know you have chicken in the fridge but you just don’t know what you want to do with it. You’re going to appreciate and love this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe so much!

Here’s a big bonus to this recipe – the spices are probably already in your spice cabinet. And if you are missing a few, that’s ok! I can give you some ideas for substitutes that will be equally delicious.

Using the spices elevates the chicken so that it’s not just a plain old cooked chicken breast. Who really wants to eat that? Adding spices like cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried basil makes the chicken delicious and desirable. Your whole family will be asking you to make it again and again!

What You’ll Need

Here is what you need to make this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe. They are mostly kitchen staple ingredients, so the list is pretty easy to gather!

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe, too.
• Olive Oil: Your favorite cooking oil will work, but I like to use olive oil for the rich flavor.
• Garlic Powder: If you don’t have any garlic powder you can use granulated garlic or garlic salt. You could also use onion powder.
• Ground Cumin: I love the flavor of cumin, but it’s ok if you’re out of it. You could use taco seasoning as a substitute. Some other fair substitutes are coriander or chili powder.
• Smoked Paprika: You can also use regular paprika.
• Dried Basil: Dried parsley, oregano, or thyme would also work.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon Wedges: An optional (and very delicious) garnish!
• Fresh Chopped Parsley: Another optional garnish that I like to use. Any fresh green herb will work though.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Here is the absolute best way to cook chicken in the air fryer. It’s so simple and turns out so delicious!

First, make the spice rub. Do this by combining all the spices and olive oil in a small bowl.

Then rub the spice mixture onto the chicken breasts. It’s best to make sure that the chicken breasts are nice and dry before doing this.

Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook on one side for 10 minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another 7-8 minutes.

Let the chicken rest before serving. This will ensure that it’s deliciously juicy!

How Long Should You Air Fryer Chicken Breasts?

The key to cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer is to keep an eye on the time. The chicken breasts are going to require at least 17-20 minutes total (depending on the size of the breast).

Most will require 10 minutes on one side and then a few additional minutes once you flip them over. This ensures that they cook evenly and that they don’t dry out.

Tips for Cooking Juicy Chicken Breasts

Here are some of my best tips for cooking amazing chicken breasts every time!

• Make sure that your chicken breasts are the same size. If one is a little oversized, you can always slice it in half or pound it down. They will all cook evenly and for the same amount of time when they are similar sizes.
• Preheat the air fryer. This way you won’t be cooking the chicken for extra or unnecessary time.
• Let the chicken rest after cooking. The juices will redistribute throughout the piece of chicken once it’s removed from the air fryer. You want this to happen so they don’t all leak out when you slice into it right away.

FAQs

Cooking chicken breasts can be a little intimidating, I get it! Here are some of the most popular questions about cooking chicken.

Can you put frozen chicken in the air fryer?

Yes, you can put frozen chicken in the air fryer but I suggest using thawed ones if you want the best results. But if you’re really short on time and need to throw frozen ones in the air fryer, just make sure to add some extra cooking time (and always check for doneness!).

Why is my air fryer chicken tough or dry?

If your chicken turns out too tough or dry, there are a few reasons why. Most likely, the chicken was overcooked. So always check that the temperature and time are correct on your air fryer. Not all air fryers are alike, so yours might take less or more time than my recipe indicates.

You could also be eating the chicken too soon after cooking it. It’s important to let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Do you have to flip chicken breasts in the air fryer?

Yes, I highly recommend flipping the chicken halfway through. This ensures that they cook evenly on all sides and that they don’t dry out.

What temperature do you cook chicken breast in the air fryer?

I like to cook the chicken at 370F in the air fryer. I like it a little hotter because I’m checking it halfway through and some of that heat escapes when the drawer is opening and closing. 370F ensures that the chicken cooks fast but still without drying it out.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some of my favorite ways to eat these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts.

• Add it to a salad. I like to add this chicken to my Avocado Mango Chicken Salad or my Kale Chicken Caesar Salad.
• Make a low carb dinner. Serve it with Air Fryer Green Beans or Pureed Parsnips for an easy low carb meal.
• Make a killer chicken sandwich. This chicken would go great on a sandwich with just some lettuce and mayo – it’s THAT good! But it would also make an amazing Chicken BLT.
• Serve it with your favorite sauce. I’ve said it before, but my Boom Boom Sauce goes with anything and this chicken is no exception!

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. I suggest using the air fryer to quickly reheat or you could also use the microwave if you’re in a hurry or at work.

Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken?

Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken! It’s great to freeze in small portions so that you can grab a bag whenever you need a quick lunch or dinner option. If you store the chicken breasts whole (before slicing them) they will freeze better and stay juicy when they are reheated.

I always thaw the chicken in the fridge the night before I want to eat it. It’s also another great way to ensure the chicken doesn’t dry out.

Print

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:

• Most Delicious Air Fryer Ribs
• Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
• Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

DON’T MISS A RECIPE ->

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM