These easy, juicy air fryer chicken breasts are a meal prep game changer! Made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, they cook up in just minutes, making them one of my absolute favorite ways to prep chicken for the week. They’re perfect for sandwiches, wraps like this Caesar salad wrap, salads, pasta dishes, grain bowls, and so much more.
I like to marinate mine with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning—simple but incredibly versatile. This method never fails me, and the result is always flavorful, juicy, and downright delicious.
Top Tips for Making Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Salt is your best friend. One of the biggest secrets to juicy chicken is proper seasoning. For two large chicken breasts (just under 2 lbs total), I use a full two teaspoons of kosher salt—yes, it sounds like a lot, but trust me, these big guys need it! The salt not only flavors the meat but also helps retain moisture.
- Don’t skip the oil. A little fat goes a long way in keeping chicken tender and helping it crisp up. Olive oil is my go-to for its flavor, but avocado oil or sunflower oil work well too.
- Choose your seasonings wisely. You can use almost any seasoning blend you like, but check for added salt in pre-mixed rubs. If your seasoning already contains salt, you could easily over-season your chicken, so double-check before you start.
- Invest in a good air fryer. The quality of your air fryer makes a difference. I used my PowerXL Air Fryer for years and loved it, but after switching to the Ninja Two-Basket Air Fryer, I was blown away by how much better it cooks. If you’re serious about air frying, it’s worth having a good machine!
- Let your chicken marinate. For at least 30 minutes to an hour before cooking, let the chicken sit at room temperature. This helps it cook evenly and allows the salt to work its magic, giving you a more tender, flavorful result.
- Rest before slicing. Once your chicken is cooked, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into it. This gives the juices time to redistribute, keeping every bite juicy and tender.
Ingredients You'll Need
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning (or your favorite salt-free seasoning)
How to make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Marinate. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle with olive oil and rub everything in to evenly coat the chicken all over. Let the seasoned chicken sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes (no longer than 1 hour). This resting time helps the chicken cook more evenly and stay tender and juicy throughout.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Cook at 375°F for 14 to 20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking—around the 7-minute mark.
- Check for doneness using a meat thermometer. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
- Rest. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
Temperature Guide (with Cooking Times)
Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer, but here’s a general guide for the best results:
| Chicken Breast Size | Air Fryer Temp | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small (6-7 oz) | 375°F | 12-14 minutes |
| Medium (8-10 oz) | 375°F | 14-16 minutes |
| Large (10-12 oz) | 375°F | 16-18 minutes |
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How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken
✔️ Air fryer asparagus for a quick veggie side
✔️ Chicken salad for an easy lunch option
✔️ Serve over rice bowls with roasted veggies
✔️ Use in wraps, tacos, or pasta dishes
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air fryer blackened chicken
- Air fryer broccolini
- Air fryer cauliflower wings
- Air fryer mushroom fries
Meal Prep & Storing Leftovers
This air fryer chicken breast recipe is an easy way to meal prep for the week! Here’s how to store leftovers properly:
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap chicken in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes to keep it juicy.
💡 Meal Prep Tip: If you’re making this for the week, leave the breasts whole and slice or dice them as you need them. This keeps them fresher and juicier for longer.
Recipe
Easy, Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
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*Easily adjust serving size to your liking by clicking the number under servings or with the boxes below in the ingredients section.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 6 ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1-2 teaspoons Kosher Salt use more for larger cuts
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or your favorite salt-free seasoning blend
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts on a plate or tray. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle with olive oil and rub everything in to evenly coat the chicken all over. Let the seasoned chicken sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes (no longer than 1 hour). This resting time helps the chicken cook more evenly and stay tender and juicy throughout.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Place the chicken breasts in the basket, leaving space between each piece for air to circulate. Cook at 375°F for 14 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts (see notes below for more cooking times). Flip the chicken halfway through cooking—around the 7-minute mark.
- After 14 minutes, check for doneness using a meat thermometer. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
- Once fully cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
Notes
| Chicken Breast Size | Air Fryer Temp | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small (6-7 oz) | 375°F | 12-14 minutes |
| Medium (8-10 oz) | 375°F | 14-16 minutes |
| Large (10-12 oz) | 375°F | 16-18 minutes |
Nutrition
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