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Home » Chicken + Poultry » Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (No Breading!)

Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (No Breading!)

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
January 29, 2021
4.77 from 59 votes


Last Updated January 29, 2021 | 3 Comments

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3.5K shares
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Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (No Breading!) Pinterest Pin Collage Image
Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (No Breading!) Pinterest Pin Collage Image

Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts that are tender, juicy, and delicious every time. Make this easy, foolproof recipe for a fast and simple weeknight dinner, or use it in your favorite meal prep recipes.

Two sliced air fryer chicken breasts on a homemade ceramic serving plate.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in my 34 years on this earth, it’s that usually when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But sometimes I’m proven wrong.

Say hello to juicy, perfectly cooked, non-breaded boneless chicken breasts cooked and ready to enjoy in just about 20 minutes.

Too good to be true, right? Wrong! But I couldn’t do it without my air fryer.

You may have seen my previous post for air fryer Brussels sprouts and how they turned out perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Well, given the success of this challenging vegetable, I thought why not try boneless skinless chicken breasts?

Oh my gosh, you guys/gals. They turned out so juicy. Much juicier than any Instant Pot chicken breast recipe and they cook so much faster.

Like, lightning speed fast. I could hardly believe it myself.

Air fryers are similar to convection ovens, using circulating hot air to cook food. But air fryers, unlike regular convection ovens, are much smaller. This makes for an instant, focused heating.

Anyway, enjoy these yummy, perfectly seasoned, versatile air fryer chicken breasts just like you would any other chicken breasts – in salads, on sandwiches, with pasta, or dipped in ranch dressing, serve in wraps, or enjoy with rice and veggies. They’re low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-approved. 

Brining chicken breasts in salted water.

How to Cook Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer

  1. Brine and bring to room temperature – add the chicken breasts to a bowl filled with lukewarm salted water. This is called brining. It’s a recommended step for leaner meat (like chicken breasts), but not completely necessary. I do, however, highly recommend allowing your chicken breasts to rest at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes before cooking (but no longer). This will ensure more even cooking and juicier chicken breasts overall.
  2. Pat dry each chicken breast with paper towels.
  3. Meanwhile, combine the spices in a small bowl. Feel free to add additional spices or use your favorite pre-made spice mix if preferred.
  4. Rub the seasoning all over both sides of each chicken breast.
  5. Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray (I used olive oil spray) and add the chicken breasts in a single layer. You will probably have to cook your chicken breasts in two batches.
  6. Set temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for approximately 8-12 minutes, opening the basket and flipping about 5 minutes into cooking.
  7. After about 6-8 minutes, being checking the internal temperature of your chicken breasts by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of each chicken breast. You know it’s done cooking when it registers between 160-165°F.

Image of a small white bowl filled with several different spices being mixed together.

Image of three large chicken breasts on a large beige plate and coated with homemade seasoning mix made with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, papper, and paprika.

Image of seasoned and raw chicken breasts in a large air fryer basket before cooking.

Image of three well-seasoned whole chicken breasts in a large air fryer just after cooking.

Check out these other delicious chicken breast recipes,

  • One Pan Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Recipe
  • Creamy Coconut Milk Chicken Recipe (One-Skillet)
  • Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
  • Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe

Overhead image of two sliced air fryer chicken breasts on a homemade ceramic serving plate.

Have you tried cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Two sliced air fryer chicken breasts on a homemade ceramic serving plate.

Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

4.77 from 59 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts that are tender, juicy, and delicious every time. Make this easy, foolproof recipe for a fast and simple weeknight dinner, or use it in your favorite meal prep recipes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Soak Time 30 mins
Total Time 47 mins
Course Chicken, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Meal Prep
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 262 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
 
 

  • kosher salt
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts - see notes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
  • non-stick cooking spray
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large bowl or pot with 6-8 cups of lukewarm water. Add approximately 3-4 tablespoons of kosher salt and mix well until dissolved. Do not add warm or hot water as it will start to cook your chicken.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the water. Let them rest for approximately 20-30 minutes. Remove from the water and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the salt water and set the chicken breasts aside.
  • In a small bowl combine the paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Lightly spray the chicken breasts with nonstick spray (you may also brush with a light coat of oil) and season both sides with your homemade seasoning - use your fingers to rub the seasoning all over the entire surface.
  • Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with nonstick spray and preheat your air fryer (if necessary). Add the chicken breasts (work in batches, you don't want to stack the chicken breasts on top of each other). Set temperature to 380°F and cook for approximately 8-12 minutes total, flipping halfway through cooking.
  • After approximately 6-8 minutes, use a digital read meat thermometer to check the doneness of your chicken. You know it's done cooking when it registers between 160-165°F.
  • Remove chicken breasts from the air fryer to a clean plate and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. Enjoy!

Jessica's Notes

  • The overall weight and thickness of your chicken breasts will greatly influence the overall cooking time. To make your life easier, try to purchase chicken breasts that are about the same weight (anywhere from 6-8 ounces each). If one end of your chicken breast is especially thick (as is sometimes the case with chicken breasts) you may wish to pound the thicker end between plastic wrap so that the two ends are equal thickness. This helps ensure that the whole chicken breast cooks evenly.
  • Bring your chicken breasts to room temperature. I did this by adding them to a bowl filled with lukewarm water and salt and letting them rest, at room temperature, for about 20-30 minutes. This will not only help them cook in less time, but also help them cook evenly (preventing the outside from cooking faster, and drying out when compared to the inside).
  • I own this Cosori Air Fryer. So far, it's been great. Please note that different air fryers may cook differently from each other.
  • I also line my air fryer with these silicone liners for easier clean-up.
  • Keep leftover chicken stored in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 844mg | Potassium: 860mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 367IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Air Fryer Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Breast No Breading, Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, Cooking Chicken in the Air Fryer
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

3.5K shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Tony says

    February 19, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    Made this recipe today. Outstanding! Crispy and juicy. When the breasts were done I cut them down the middle added mozzarella while still hot and it is delicious. Great recipe.

    Reply
  2. jai says

    February 3, 2021 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    This was so easy and tasty

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa says

      February 3, 2021 at 7:09 am

      Thanks for the kind feedback Jai 🙂

      Reply

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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