The super crispy, juicy, and well-seasoned chicken breast is a staple in pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, and even stir-fry vegetables. Turns out, cooking it is incredibly easy in the air fryer.
Here is my take on preparing the incredibly juicy chicken breasts in the air fryer for under 20 minutes. So enjoy it.
Chicken Breast In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Parchment paper or air fryer basket liner.
- Meat thermometer
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board
- Rolling pin
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp steak seasoning
- 1.3 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Start the recipe by mixing steak seasoning, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Place chicken breasts on the cutting board and cover them with parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten the meat, so it is tender when you cook in the air fryer. You want even thickness from one end to the other of the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes. Brush the olive oil on both sides of the chicken breast.
- Coat both sides of the chicken breast with the prepared seasoning. Mix everything well using your hands to make sure the entire chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
- Once done, transfer the chicken pieces to the air fryer basket and cook it for 7 minutes straight. After this, flip the chicken and cook it for another 6 minutes.
- Once the 13 minutes are over, check the chicken breast temperature using a meat thermometer. You need the internal temperature of the chicken to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is still not there, cook it for another 2 to 3 minutes, and you are good to go.
- Remove the chicken pieces from the air fryer basket and place them on a clean cutting board. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into small pieces, serve with your favorite side dishes, and enjoy.
Nutritional Value of the Air Fryer Chicken Breast
As we all know, chicken breast is a nutrient-packed protein food source that provides you with a lot of health benefits and energy to pass your day. Plus, given that there is nothing deep-fried in the recipe, you do not have to worry about the calorie count. On average, one serving of this recipe consists of 204 calories, 1g carbs, 32g protein, 7g fat, 172 mg sodium, and 0.4g fiber.
What to Serve Chicken Breasts With?
The air fryer chicken breasts are good to go on their own. Or, they can be used for the following recipes.
- Caesar salad, veggie salad, or roasted raw veggies.
- Add extra protein to a veggie pasta.
- You can also use the air fryer chicken in the staple chicken pizzas.
- Add chicken breast pieces to the stir-fried vegetables and enjoy them with your favorite dip.
- You can also add them to your favorite wraps and sandwiches.
How Long to Cook Chicken in the Air Fryer?
We need to consider that not all air fryers are the same, which means they have different temperature ranges and cooking times. Similarly, the cooking time also depends on the size of the chicken breast you will be using. Here is an average time estimation for chicken breasts.
- Small breasts (5 to 7 ounces) usually take between 7 and 10 minutes in the air fryer.
- 8 to 10 ounces of medium breasts usually take 10 to 12 minutes in the air fryer.
- If the chicken breasts are large and weigh over 11 ounces, 12 to 16 minutes in the air fryer is enough.
That said, you will have to flip the chicken halfway through the recipe to make sure the cooking is even and crisp.
What to Do with the Leftovers?
You can always store the leftover chicken breast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Once you want to enjoy it again, reheat it in the microwave or re-cook it in the air fryer for 5 to 8 minutes. If you want to store it for longer, it is possible with a freezer; all you need to do is place it in a freezer-safe container and it is safe to consume for up to 3 months.
Have You Tried It?
Use this recipe as your guide to make tender and juicy chicken breasts in the air fryer. Do not be afraid to experiment with the seasonings. Serve it with your favorite dip, and enjoy.
