This post may contain affiliate links.
Simple Air Fryer Chicken Breast is anything but boring when you know how to cook it. Here’s a basic but brilliant recipe that gets you succulent, delicious, perfectly cooked chicken, every time!
This is the very recipe that air fryers were made for. Basics made brilliant.
But when I first cooked chicken breasts in the air fryer, they were a bit boring and quite dry, so I made it my mission to come up with a go-to recipe that was PERFECT.
I tested this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe about 20 times (I kid you not!). Follow my guide here for getting perfect chicken breasts, every time!
Why you’ll love this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe
⭐️ Super quick, super simple
⭐️ A few basic ingredients for big results
⭐️ Deliciously tender chicken
I am 81 years old and have been following your recipes for a long time now, I find them very easy to follow and very tasty. Being on my own after 60 years of marriage, most of your meals are freezable. I cannot thank you enough for your contribution to an old man’s wellbeing, health and happiness. Thank you very much.
Sarah’s Notes
When testing this recipe, I looked at so many others and found that many used brown sugar (credit to The Cookie Rookie, Well Plated by Erin and Munchy Goddess!).
This adds a caramelisation which is tricky to get in the air fryer (especially in such a short cooking time) and especially when cooking chicken. It also adds colour and a delicious depth of flavour.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – Cut them in half horizontally (so you end up with very thin fillets from each piece of chicken)
- For the coating – Paprika, dark brown sugar, garlic powder, oregano, salt
How to make Chicken Breasts in an air fryer
1. Preheat your air fryer, then starting slicing your chicken breasts in half horizontally (making about 2 pieces per breast).
2. Mix the coating in a bowl.
3. Coat the chicken, spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken fillets in a single layer inside.
4. Cook as per the recipe below, turning half way until cooked through.
Full chicken breasts vs thin chicken cutlets
We’ve tested this recipe SO many times using chicken breasts as they come from the pack and also slicing them in half lengthways. Here’s why I suggest making them thinner:
⭐️ The ratio of tasty outside coating to tender inside meat is so much better.
⭐️ They cook super quickly.
Of course, you can leave them whole if you prefer though. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can make a batch of chicken that you can use for up to 3 days. Slice up for sandwiches, salads or in other recipes.
You can enjoy the chicken cold or reheated (until it’s piping hot) – just add a tiny bit of water over your chicken before reheating to rehydrate it a little.
In the freezer You could cook and freeze these if you like (as long as they haven’t already been frozen), but they will be a little dry after being defrosted and not as good as when fresh.
SErve this with…
Side Dishes
Easiest Ever Homemade Oven Chips
Side Dishes
Waldorf Salad
Side Dishes
Rice Salad
Side Dishes
Couscous Salad
How do I know they are cooked?
The cooking time for air fryer chicken breasts will depend on the size and shape of your chicken breasts, and whether you slice them thinly, as per the recipe.
If in doubt, check your meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked through.
The ideal cooking temperature for chicken is 74°C, according to Thermapen – my go-to thermometer-makers. There’s also more cooking time information here.
More Air Fryer Recipes…
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Sausages {Quick & Easy}
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Gammon Joint
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
FAQs
This will depend on the size of your air fryer. You can cook as many slices can fit in one layer, but make sure they’re not overcrowded.
If you slice them in two, they will cook in about 10-15 minutes at 200℃. Obviously this will be different if your meat is thicker (see my notes above on checking the internal temperature).
No – while I do spray the air fryer to reduce sticking, there is no need for oil on the actual chicken. I have tested with and without, and oil makes the coating slip off and doesn’t add much in the way of texture. It’s tender enough without.
I would, yes. Just turn once half way through for best results.
The one in these photos is a Russell Hobbs XXL one.
I’ve tested 3 air fryers now, and while I’m not saying that this one is THE BEST EVER, I’m really happy with it. It’s easy to fit in the dishwasher, not too expensive and has a basket large enough for 4 people.
Yes! As well as adding to the flavour, it’s also fantastic for caramelising the coating, which creates a delicious crusty outer edge while keeping the inside moist (sorry!) – something we’d struggle to get otherwise as we’re cooking it quickly.
It also helps the rest of the coating ingredients to stick to the meat.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Basic Air Fryer Chicken Breast {Perfect Every Time!}
Ingredients
- 650 g (1.4 lb) Chicken breast (approx x4), Cut in half lengthways (so you end up with 2 very thin fillets from each piece of chicken)
For the coating:
- 6 tsp Paprika
- 6 tsp Dark brown sugar
- 4 tsp Garlic granules
- 3 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- While you’re prepping the chicken, put the air fryer on to preheat at 200℃/400F.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthways (so you end up with 2 very thin fillets per breast).
- Make the coating by mixing the spices in a bowl, then add your chicken pieces and coat well.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Carefully place the chicken in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10-15 minutes until cooked through (the timings will depend on how thick the chicken pieces are, always check with a thermometer to be sure). Turn over halfway.
Did you make this recipe? Click here to let us know how it went and give it a ⭐️ rating! Your feedback helps us to make more recipes you really want.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutritional values are per portion unless otherwise stated.
This post was originally published on June 22nd, 2024. It has been updated on July 30th, 2025 to add additional tips and step-by-step videos.
This post was originally published on July 30, 2025 and updated later to make improvements.
It was okay. The spice mix didn’t blow me away but would be a good sandwich filler. Air frying chicken breast isn’t going to leave you with the most succulent pieces but considering how dry chicken breast CAN get, this was pretty good.
Hi Hannah, thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and such honest feedback. If you’d like a bit more kick next time, you could add a pinch of chilli flakes to the spice mix. For juicier chicken, it helps to flatten the breasts to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate, then check them a minute or two early and pull them out as soon as they hit 75°C in the thickest part. Letting them rest for five minutes before slicing makes a big difference too. We hope that helps next time!
A bit too spicy. I may have put more paprika than the recipe called for. I’m mainly 5 tsp next time. It is quick and delicious.
Hi Donald, thank you so much for the five star review. We’re so pleased you found it quick and delicious, and that is really useful to know about the paprika. Feel free to scale it back to suit your taste next time.
Love this recipe! Keep a jar of the coating mix ready to use in the cupboard.
Hi Jo, thank you so much for the five star review. What a brilliant tip to keep a jar of the coating mix ready in the cupboard, that is a real time saver on a busy day. We’re so pleased you love this recipe.
So easy to do (even for me) – great for a quick and tasty lunch time meal served with rice or salad! 10/10
Hi Saran, wow 10/10, we will take that! So pleased they were easy and quick for you, and served with rice or salad they make the perfect little lunch. Thanks for the review
This looks amazing.
is there a way to alter the re ipe to take out the sugar or will that change the juiciness? I’m
trying to eliminate as much sugar as I can
Hi Susan, You can absolutely leave the brown sugar out and it will not affect the juiciness at all. The sugar is only there for a little caramelisation and colour, so the chicken stays just as tender without it.
absolutely delicious, cut it down for one person. Loved it
Hi Jan, we’re delighted it was so delicious and lovely to know it scales down nicely for one too. Thank you so much for coming back to let us know, we really appreciate it.
This recipe is so good! I’ve made it 3 time in 2 weeks, it’s quick, easy and tasty. My husband loves it too.
I’m so impressed, thank you.
Hi Sharon, three times in two weeks, wow that’s wonderful to hear! We’re so pleased it’s become a regular for you both, thank you for letting us know.
omg so nice although the wife it was a bit spicy might cook a little bit less
Hi Stephen, thank you so much, we’re so pleased you enjoyed it! You can absolutely dial the seasoning down a touch next time to suit your wife’s taste. Happy cooking!
I have just made this and can say it was a winner, I will use over the next few days for my packed lunches with salad also.
So juicy
Hi Irene, a winner, that’s what we love to hear! Juicy chicken that’s perfect for packed lunches with salad is exactly what this one’s made for. Thank you so much, and we hope it sees you through a lovely week of lunches.
Just tried this recipe today. It was quick, easy and delicious
Hi Carolyn, quick, easy and delicious is exactly what we’re going for, so this has made us smile! Thank you so much for giving it a try and leaving such a lovely comment.
This was perfect! We had to cut out the garlic because my husband cannot have it. It was a great recipe and chicken was juicy and delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi Alison, we’re delighted the chicken came out juicy and delicious for you, and it’s no problem at all to leave the garlic out as it works brilliantly without it. Thanks so much for trying it!