To air fry chicken breast perfectly, start by lightly pounding the chicken to even out thickness. Coat the chicken breasts with oil and season with a spice mix of your choice, including salt, paprika, garlic powder, and herbs. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at about 375°F (190°C). Cook smooth side down for 7 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3 to 7 minutes depending on size. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) to 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute for juicier results. No need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe, and cooking times vary slightly depending on breast size, roughly 10 to 14 minutes total for average-sized breasts. Here is an easy step-by-step:
- Lightly pound chicken breasts to even thickness.
- Rub with oil and seasoning (salt, paprika, garlic powder, herbs).
- Place in air fryer basket single layer, cook 7 minutes at 375°F smooth side down.
- Flip and cook additional 3-7 minutes until internal temp 160-165°F.
- Rest chicken 3-5 minutes before serving.
This method yields juicy, tender chicken breasts with flavorful seasoning and can be ready in about 10-14 minutes depending on breast size.
