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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts with a seasoned, caramelized crust and a tender, juicy interior cooked in under 20 minutes. The golden-brown exterior comes from air-frying at 390°F and flipping halfway for even browning.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and seasoning
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pounded to even 3/4-inch thickness.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 fresh parsley For serving.
  • 1 lemon wedges For serving.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Preheat and prep
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F so it’s hot when the chicken goes in. This helps the coating brown quickly.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts to an even 3/4-inch thickness for uniform cooking. This prevents thin spots from drying out.
  3. Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil to help seasoning adhere and promote browning.
  4. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Air fry
  1. Air fry the chicken at 390°F for 8-9 minutes, then flip halfway through. Cook until you see a golden-brown exterior forming.
  2. Air fry for another 8-9 minutes at 390°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The outside should be deep golden and fragrant, with no pink in the center.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. Cutting too soon can release the juices.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges right before serving. Serve hot for best texture.

Notes

For the juiciest results, keep the thickness as close to 3/4-inch as possible and don’t stack the breasts—cook in a single layer if needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-6 minutes to re-crisp. Freezing is not ideal due to moisture loss, but leftovers can be frozen for up to 2 months if needed. For a lower-sodium option, use a salt-free seasoning blend and add a pinch of salt only if desired.