How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?

The #1 tip for the best chicken breasts in an air fryer is: Don't overcook them ! Chicken breasts should be cooked to 160°F, but if you cook them all the way to that temperature in the air fryer, carryover cooking will take them beyond that temp and cause them to dry out.

What is the secret to juicy chicken breast?

Tips for Juicy Chicken Breast I have three key tricks for succulent, Juicy Chicken Breast every time: tenderizing, marinating, and controlling the cooking time . Since chicken breasts are always thicker on one side and thinner on the other, tenderizing with a mallet to equal thickness is essential.

How long should you put a chicken breast in the air fryer?

Air fry according to the size of your chicken breasts — again, 4-5oz breasts will take 10-12 minutes, 6-8oz breasts will take 13-15 minutes, and 9-120z breasts could take 16-20 minutes — or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees as measured by an instant read thermometer, flipping the chicken breasts ...

How do you not overcook chicken breast in an air fryer?

Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket or tray. This will ensure they cook evenly. Check the temperature. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of your chicken reaches 165ºF to prevent it from being under or overcooked.

What is the best way to cook chicken breast so they don t dry out?

Fortunately I have one method that makes unfailingly juicy and tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Simply heat the chicken breasts quickly on the stovetop then let them poach from the inside out in their juices in a covered pan .

Can you put water in an air fryer to keep chicken moist?

Moisture for Steaming: Adding a small amount of water (typically ¼ to ½ cup) to the bottom of the air fryer can create steam , which can help cook foods that require moisture, such as vegetables or certain proteins. Avoid Excess Water: Too much water can lead to soggy results instead of that desired crispiness.

Should you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you put raw frozen chicken in the air fryer ! You won't be able to brine it first or pound it to an even thickness (so the results are not *as* juicy) but if you forget to thaw your chicken, it's a great option to have on hand.

How long do you air fry just bare chicken breast?

Heating Instructions. Preheat air fryer to 360°F. Place frozen chicken pieces in basket in a single layer. Air fry for 17 minutes .

Do you have to flip raw chicken in air fryer?

Cook at 360° for 9 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast over and cook for another 9 minutes . Larger chicken breasts need more cook time, and smaller ones need less time. Open the air fryer immediately so it doesn't continue cooking in the heat.

How do you keep meat from drying out in an air fryer?

Using oil Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

How do you keep chicken breast from going dry?

Make the chicken thinner Thinner breasts or cutlets are less likely to dry out, as they won't spend as much time in the pan. A simple option is to pound the chicken until it is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, using a meat mallet/pounder, heavy skillet or even a hammer. This is best done between parchment paper or plastic wrap.

How do you keep chicken breast moist frying?

Place a flat-bottomed frying pan on a medium-high heat and drizzle in a good amount of olive oil. When the oil is nice and hot, place the chicken breasts in the pan and leave to cook for 5 -7 minutes, untouched until a nice golden crust forms. If you have a lid for the pan, pop it on to help retain all that moisture .

Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (2024)

May 23, 2024July 13, 2022 by Erin

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This foolproof recipe makes flavorful and tenderair fryer chicken breastsevery time, seasoned with herbs and spices.

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Why you’ll love it

Ingredients

How to make air fryer chicken breasts

How long to cook chicken breasts in the air fryer

Size matters

Resting time

If chicken is undercooked

Why you’ll love it

Air frying is the best way to cook tender chicken in less time, since there’s no preheating the oven. And with my simple seasoning blend, these flavorful chicken breasts not only make an easy weeknight dinner, but they’re perfect for meal prep too. This recipe results in super flavorful, tender chicken breasts with no brining!

The best thing about serving chicken is that it is so versatile. Adding a delicious and creamy sauce like thismushroom sauce, white bbq sauceorPeruvian creamy green saucecan create an entirely new recipe.

And adding side dishes likeInstant Pot RisottoorSous Vide Asparagusmakes it the perfect meal.

Don’t own anair fryer? Try mySous Vide Chicken Breasts recipe! Looking for a crispier option? Try myAir Fried Crispy Chicken Tenders! There are so many options to choose from.

Ingredients

Olive Oil
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Kosher Salt
Oregano – Or, try one of these substitutes for oregano.
Paprika – Or, try one of these paprika substitutes.
Black Pepper
Garlic Powder

Note: To switch things up, try swapping in my Chicken Wing Rub, Italian Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning in place of the herbs called for in this recipe.

How to make air fryer chicken breasts

In a small bowl combine the salt and spices with oil to create a paste. Coat boneless chicken breasts with the paste. Place chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook.

How long to cook chicken breasts in the air fryer

Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 370-degrees for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes cooking time, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160-degrees on an instant read thermometer. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts (see below).

Size matters

Small Breasts (5-7 oz.) – 14 minutes
Medium Breasts (8-9 oz.) – 16 minutes
Large Breasts (10+ oz.) – 18 minutes

Resting time

After your chicken has finished cooking, be sure to let it rest for 5-minutes, tented with foil, to allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking.

Food safety guidelines recommend cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165-degrees. However, if you remove it from the air fryer once it has reached 160-degrees, the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken as it cooks.

If chicken is undercooked

If you find that your chicken is undercooked, return it to the air fryer and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until it is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear.

When to add vegetables

You can add vegetables like zucchini, brussel sprouts, red peppers, broccoli and asparagus. Add them to the air fryer basket at the halfway point.

Variations

Try swapping in my Italian Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning in place of the herbs called for in this recipe.
Marinade. Try marinating your chicken overnight in some Italian dressing.
If you’d prefer to make chicken thighs, be sure to try out this air fryer chicken thighs recipe!
Add a delicious sauce like thiscreamy sun dried tomato sauce, white bbq sauce, Jerk Sauce,Peruvian green sauce, or lemon butter sauce. Or, try one of these 25+ delicious sauces for chicken.

Sauces for chicken breasts

Creamy Garlic Sauce
Buffalo Sauce
Honey Mustard
BBQ Sauce
Creamy Mushroom Sauce
More → 25+ tasty sauces for chicken.

Storing leftovers

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container (these are my favorite!) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will also keep in the freezer for up to three months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

Reheating air fryer chicken breasts

Chicken reheats best on the stove. Add it to a small skillet with a splash of water or broth and heat until the chicken is warmed through.

FAQ

Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Of course! The air fryer is great for cooking chicken breasts or thighs. Just be sure to cook them thoroughly according to the time charts below.

Why is my air fryer chicken tough?

The most likely reason for tough chicken in the air fryer is overcooking. Be sure to cook it to only 160-degrees and then allow it to rest for 5-minutes tented with foil.

Do you have to flip chicken in the air fryer?

For best results, you should flip your chicken in the air fryer halfway through. This ensures even cooking. However, if you forget, it will still be fine. You may just end up with some overcooked areas.

Do you have to brine it?

If you have the time, a brine can result in extra juicy chicken. However, it is definitely not necessary! This recipe, which is coated in a dry rub, comes out extremely juicy and flavorful!

What to serve with them

Green Bean Fries
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sauteed Spinach
Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Potato Salad
Roasted Sunchokes
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad
Kale Caesar Salad
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Click here for MOREside dishes to serve with chicken
And, be sure to check out these dipping sauces for chicken

Wine pairings

These choices pair nicely with a light meat chicken.

Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
MORE → the BEST Chicken Wine Pairings.

More air fryer chicken recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings

Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts?

If you loved these chicken breasts in the air fryer, I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This foolproof recipe makes flavorful and tender air fryer chicken breasts every time, seasoned with herbs and spices.

5 from 1200 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (***)
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

In a small bowl combine the salt and spices with oil to create a paste. Coat chicken breasts with the paste.
Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 370-degrees for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-degrees.
Tent the chicken with tin foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

***If using Diamond Kosher Salt, increase the amount of salt used to 1 teaspoon to account for the fact that it has 50% less sodium than other salt brands.

If you’d prefer to make chicken thighs, be sure to try out this air fryer chicken thighs recipe!

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Air Fryer

Nutrition

Note: This recipe was adjusted in January 2023 to change the amount of salt in the recipe. Some readers commented that the chicken was too salty for them. This is due to the fact that I typically cook with Diamond Kosher Salt which is about 50% less salty than table or other salt (more on that here).

Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (2024)

Why you’ll love it

Ingredients

How to make air fryer chicken breasts

How long to cook chicken breasts in the air fryer

Size matters

Resting time

If chicken is undercooked

When to add vegetables

Variations

Sauces for chicken breasts

Storing leftovers

Reheating air fryer chicken breasts

FAQ

What to serve with them

Wine pairings

More air fryer chicken recipes

Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts?

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Equipment

Nutrition

FAQs

How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer? ›

How do you keep chicken breast from going dry? ›