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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts with a golden-brown, caramelized crust and a juicy interior in under 20 minutes. Seasoned and cooked at 390°F, then rested so each slice stays tender and flavorful.
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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: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and seasoning
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pounded to an even 3/4-inch thickness.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 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
  • 1 fresh parsley For serving/garnish.
  • 1 lemon wedges For serving.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
  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 garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper, then rub evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Air fry
  1. Air fry the chicken for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
  2. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside looks golden-brown.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing so the juices settle.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

For the juiciest results, check doneness with an instant-read thermometer at the thickest part and pull the chicken the moment it hits 165°F. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. Freezing is yes—freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge before reheating. For a lower-sodium option, use reduced-salt seasoning blends while keeping the same cook time and temperature.