Description
Discover the secret to perfectly juicy air fryer chicken breasts with our magical recipe. Learn how to achieve a crispy exterior with tender, flavorful meat.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (500g)
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) salt
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) ground black pepper
Instructions
- Position the chicken breasts on a cutting board and lay a large piece of plastic wrap over them. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your hand to gently flatten them to an even thickness.
- For Dry Brining*: Put the chicken on a plate and sprinkle it all over with salt. Leave uncovered in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours—skip this if not dry brining.
- When ready to cook in the air fryer: take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl (if you skipped the dry brine, add the salt now).
- Put the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with vegetable oil. Sprinkle the spice blend over the chicken. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated on both sides.
- Set the air fryer to 375°F to preheat (mine takes 3 minutes to reach temperature). Position the chicken with the smooth side down in the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
- Take out the air fryer basket, then carefully flip the chicken using tongs. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken is between 155°F and 160°F, which may take an additional 2 to 8 minutes. It’s safe to eat chicken at 165°F, but I prefer to remove it a few degrees early and let it finish cooking with residual heat. The total cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and chicken size. Smaller breasts (around 6 ounces each) will need about 8 minutes in total; larger ones might require 14 minutes or more. Check the chicken frequently towards the end to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate. Cover and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken in the spice blend for enhanced flavor before cooking.
- Allow the cooked chicken to rest to ensure juicier results by letting the juices redistribute.
- Adjust cooking time based on chicken breast thickness for perfectly cooked, not overdone, results.