11 Tastiest Chicken Breast Air Fryer Recipes

Whether you’re looking for easy weeknight dinners or something healthy for lunch, you can’t really go wrong with chicken breasts. And being able to cook them in an air fryer is a bonus. Here are the best chicken breast air fryer recipes for you.

Delicious Chicken Breast Air Fryer Recipes to Try Out

Air-fried chicken is great to cook because they’re quick, easy, and healthy. And if you’re wondering how long to air fry chicken breast, there’s no clear-cut answer because cooking time will depend on the recipe.

Now, if you’re ready to learn how to cook chicken breast in an air fryer, check out the recipes below and follow the directions to a tee for tasty chicken breast meals!

1. Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Air frying chicken breast doesn’t have to be boring. If you want more bite-sized pieces, try this homemade chicken nugget recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil or butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp paprika

Directions:

1. Whisk flour, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the minced garlic and oil (or melted butter). Then, in another separate bowl, combine Parmesan, paprika, panko, and parsley.
2. Dip the chicken nugget in the flour mixture and then the oil before coating them with panko bread crumbs. Coat each chunk evenly.
3. Grease the air fryer basket. Place the chicken nuggets into the basket.
4. Cook the chicken nuggets in the air fryer at 400°F. After 7 minutes, flip each nugget and cook for another 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.

2. Breaded Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Breast

If you’re looking for a chicken breast air fryer recipe that’s both filling and healthy, try this breaded Parmesan one.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup. freshly grated Parmesan
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Pour the beaten eggs into a bowl and the flour into another bowl. In a third bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, lemon zest, oregano, cayenne pepper, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Dip one chicken breast into the flour, followed by the eggs, and then, lastly, the bread crumbs. Repeat with the other breast.
3. Place the breaded chicken breasts into the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F. After 10 minutes, flip the breasts and let them cook for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Italian Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Brussels sprouts

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat chicken breasts with olive oil before rubbing them with the seasoning mixture. Make sure to coat evenly.
3. Place the breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes at 360°F. Open the air fryer and add the brussels sprouts, if using. Flip the chicken and let them cook for another 9 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 165°.

4. Flavorful Chicken Breast

Air fryer chicken breast recipes don’t have to be plain or boring. This one’s sure to put a smile on your face.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8oz each)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dry crushed rosemary
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder

Directions:

1. In a shallow dish, mix together all the ingredients except for the chicken breasts.
2. Coat each chicken breast with the mixture, making sure to cover all areas. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes, minimum.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
4. After 5 minutes of pre-heating, place the marinated chicken breasts into the basket and let them cook for 16 to 20 minutes, flipping about halfway through.
5. Once done, remove the chicken breasts from the basket and let them rest on the cutting board for 5 minutes before cutting.

5. Cumin Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

• 4 medium chicken breast fillets (4-6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels before placing them into a bowl. Coat each breast with olive oil.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the spices. Coat the chicken breasts with the spice mixture, making sure to cover both sides. 
4. Place the chicken breasts in the basket and cook in the air fryer. After 4 minutes, flip the breasts over and let them cook for another 4 to 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

6. Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer is nothing new. But, if you’ve had enough of the usual blend of flavors, why not try a spicy version?

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless, sliced into thin cutlets
• 1 tbsp oil olive oil, canola, or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (25 g) dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 tsp dried chili powder
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions for the Breaded Version:

1. In a bowl, coat the chicken breasts with oil.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the spices with the bread crumbs.
3. Coat the chicken breasts with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to cover evenly.
4. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 to 12 minutes at 390°F. At the 7-minute mark, turn the chicken over and let them cook the rest of the way through.

Directions for the Unbreaded Version:

1. In a bowl, cover the chicken breasts with oil. Coat them with the spice mixture and other desired seasonings.
2. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts over at the halfway point before allowing them to cook the rest of the way.

7. Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

You don’t have to worry about how long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer. If you don’t have time, this easy recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish!

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts (6-7 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Seasoning Mix (or use your favorite seasoning blend)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp oregano

Directions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Using paper towels, pat the chicken dry.
2. Mix your favorite blend of seasonings in a bowl. Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil before rubbing them with the seasoning blend.
3. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken breasts over before letting them cook for another 6 to 9 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165°F. 
4. Allow the chicken breasts to rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

8. Sweet and Herby Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Want something simple yet tasty? This air-fried chicken recipe will surely stay on your mind for days on end.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp olive oil

Directions:

1. Whisk together all the seasonings and the brown sugar in a bowl.
2. Dry the chicken breasts using paper towels. Place the chicken in between two sheets of parchment paper and pound them with a rolling pin or meat mallet until they are even in thickness all throughout. You can use a zip-loc bag for this, too.
3. Cover the chicken breasts with olive oil before coating them with the seasoning mixture.
4. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and let them cook for 8 minutes at 400°F. At this point, flip the chicken breasts over and return them to the air fryer for another 5 to 12 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165°F.
5. Once done, let the chicken rest before cutting and serving. 

9. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken tenders (1 1/4 lbs)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup seasoned panko
• Olive oil spray
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions:

1. Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
2. Place beaten eggs into a shallow dish. In a separate dish, mix together the panko and bread crumbs.
3. Dip the tenders into the dish with the eggs before dipping them into the panko mixture. Make sure to dust off any excess crumbs before setting them aside.
4. Spray the chicken with olive oil, making sure to coat evenly.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
6. Place the chicken tenders into the air fryer basket and let them cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining tenders.
7. Serve with a side of lemon wedges.

10. Dry Rub Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This simple air fried chicken breast recipe stands out thanks to its dry rub.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium to large chicken breasts
• Seasoning or marinade of choice
• Dry rub (optional):
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
  • Pepper, pinch

Directions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Place the chicken in a large plastic bag and pound with a meat mallet until 1/4 inch thick throughout.
3. In a bowl, combine the dry rub mixture. Using your hands, coat the chicken with the dry rub mixture, making sure to really get the rub into the meat.
4. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken breasts into it.
5. Cook the chicken breasts for 4 minutes before flipping them over and letting them cook for another 4 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 162°F.
6. Once done, remove the chicken from the fryer and set it aside to allow the temperature to reach 165°F.

11. Roasted Garlic Powder Air Fryer Chicken Breast

If you like the taste of roasted garlic, this dish should satisfy you the most out of all the chicken breast air fryer recipes.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp roasted garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Directions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel before coating them with olive oil.
3. In a bowl, whisk together all the spices. Coat the chicken breasts with the spices, using your hands to rub them into the meat.
4. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and let them cook for 12 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 160°F.

Chicken Breast Recipes: Air Fryer Edition

As you can see, there are more ways than one to cook chicken breasts using an air fryer. While this part of the chicken has a reputation for being dry and bland, it really comes down to the recipe. And for the tastiest and easiest chicken breast air fryer recipes, start with these.

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