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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts with a golden-brown, caramelized crust and a juicy interior, ready in just under 20 minutes. This easy air fryer dinner delivers quick chicken breasts with even cooking after a light pound and a halfway flip.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pounded to even 3/4-inch thickness.
Seasoning and coating
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Brush both sides.
  • 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
Serving
  • 1 fresh parsley Garnish to serve.
  • 1 lemon wedges Serve alongside.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Preheat and prep
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F so it reaches temperature before the chicken goes in.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts to an even 3/4-inch thickness if needed for uniform cooking.
  3. Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil.
  4. Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper, then rub evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Air fry and finish
  1. Air fry the chicken for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is golden.
  2. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep the interior juicy.
  3. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

For the most even doneness, keep the chicken thickness consistent at about 3/4-inch before seasoning. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to re-crisp the exterior. Freezing: freeze cooked chicken in a sealed container for up to 2 months and reheat from thawed or fully thaw first. For a lower-sodium option, use reduced-salt seasoning and reduce added salt to 1/4 tsp while keeping the same spice blend balance.