Description
Discover the ultimate Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe for juicy and flavorful chicken breasts. Learn how to achieve crispy perfection with this simple recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (500g)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (2.5g)
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil (10ml)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (2g)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (1g)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (1g)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (0.5g)
Instructions
- Position the chicken breasts on a chopping board and place a large piece of plastic wrap on top. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your hand to gently flatten them to an even thickness.
- For a dry brine: Arrange the chicken on a plate and generously coat with sea salt. Leave uncovered in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to a full day. If skipping the dry brine, move on to the next step.
- When set to air fry: Take the chicken out of the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl (include the salt here if you did not dry brine).
- Place the chicken in a large bowl, drizzle with vegetable oil, and sprinkle the spice blend over it. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed on both sides.
- Set the air fryer to 375 degrees F and allow it to preheat (mine requires 3 minutes). Arrange the chicken with the smooth side facing down in the fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
- Take out the air fryer basket, carefully turn the chicken using tongs, and continue cooking until the internal temperature is between 155 and 160 degrees F, which can take an additional 2 to 8 minutes. Though chicken is safe at 165 degrees F, I prefer to remove it slightly earlier and let residual heat finish cooking. The total time varies depending on your air fryer model and chicken size. Smaller pieces (roughly 6 ounces each) may only need about 8 minutes in total, whereas larger ones might require 14 or more. Frequently check towards the end to avoid overcooking.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate. Cover and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Consider drizzling fresh lemon juice over the chicken before serving for an added burst of flavor.
- Enhance the spiciness by sprinkling a dash of cayenne pepper into the spice blend.
- Get creative by experimenting with herbs like thyme or rosemary to create a unique taste experience.