Description
This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to prepare juicy, tender chicken breasts with a smoky and aromatic spice rub. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, the air fryer cooks the chicken evenly and efficiently, resulting in a delicious meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Spice Rub
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring Chicken to Room Temperature: Take the chicken breasts out of the fridge 15-20 minutes prior to starting the recipe so they warm up slightly, ensuring more even cooking.
- Mix Spice Rub: Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to create the spice rub.
- Coat Chicken: Place chicken breasts on a plate and brush all over with olive oil. Then, thoroughly coat the chicken with the prepared spice rub using your hands to ensure even coverage.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure a hot cooking environment for crisping the chicken exterior.
- Cook Chicken: Place the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip the breasts. Continue cooking for an additional 4 to 10 minutes depending on their size—small (about 6 oz): 4-5 minutes more; medium (about 8 oz): 6-7 minutes more; large (about 10 oz): 8-10 minutes more. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer; remove when internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and the temperature to rise to a safe 165°F (74°C) before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Warming the chicken before cooking helps promote even cooking.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked while retaining juiciness.
- Adjust cooking times based on chicken breast size for best results.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking is crucial for juice retention and flavor.
- Olive oil helps the spice rub adhere and adds subtle flavor.
