Description
Succulent Air Fryer Chicken Breast delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Crispy exterior and juicy interior make this quick meal a weeknight champion you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried oregano or thyme
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) smoked paprika (optional)
Oil:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- Calibrate the air fryer to 375F (190C), allowing 3-5 minutes for thorough preheating to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
- Meticulously blot chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture, creating a surface ready for seasoning.
- Drizzle olive oil across both sides of the chicken, ensuring complete and even coverage for a golden, crisp exterior.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend by generously sprinkling garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, massaging the spices into the meat for maximum flavor absorption.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a strategic single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote uniform heat circulation.
- Initiate cooking process, maintaining a precise 10-12 minute duration and executing a midpoint flip to guarantee even browning and thorough cooking.
- Utilize a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature has reached the critical 165F (74C), signaling safe and perfectly cooked poultry.
- Allow chicken to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes, permitting natural juice redistribution and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Elevate presentation by garnishing with vibrant fresh parsley and accompanying with zesty lemon wedges, complemented by a crisp salad or preferred side dish.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
- Seasoning Strategy: Create a flavorful spice blend by mixing dried herbs and spices, allowing them to coat the chicken evenly for maximum taste.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches 165F internally, preventing undercooking while avoiding dry meat.
- Spacing Technique: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, leaving room between chicken pieces for consistent hot air circulation and even cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 16-18 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 276
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 576 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 128 mg