• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Effortless Foodie
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Ebooks
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe

    Published: Feb 17, 2021 · Modified: Sep 26, 2024 by Beth Sachs · 8 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Air fryer chicken breasts pin image.

    Tender and juicy air fryer chicken breasts are quick to make, super tasty, and so versatile!

    Eat them with potatoes, rice, pasta, or salad for a simple weeknight dinner.

    An air fryer chicken breast close up.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    In this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices and then cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

    The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation cooks the chicken quickly and evenly while crisping up the outside.

    Using an air fryer to cook chicken is a simple and convenient way to enjoy a protein-packed meal without all the extra fat and calories you get from deep frying.

    You'll love how tender and flavourful the chicken turns out. It's the perfect weeknight dinner recipe to please everyone at the table.

    👩‍🍳 Love cooking chicken in an air fryer? Try my air fryer whole chicken and air fryer chicken wings too!

    eBook front cover.

    ⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐

    With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why should you try it?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Top tips
    • Air Fryer Chicken Breast Cooking Times
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQS
    • 😋Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • Quick cooking compared to a conventional oven.
    • A healthier alternative to frying.
    • More economical than using your oven or hob.
    • Meat and poultry are juicy, tender, and tasty when cooked in an air fryer.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make air fryer chicken breasts.

    Chicken Breasts - 4 free-range chicken breasts.

    Olive Oil - or use a low-calorie cooking spray.

    Seasoning - I went for an Italian-inspired seasoning that included dried Italian herbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and weigh your chicken breasts. I've produced a handy little guide below, to help you calculate timings based on the weight of your chicken breasts. My chicken breasts weighed about 225g each so required 18 minutes in total

    Two: Brush the chicken breasts with oil on the presentation side (or spray with low calorie cooking spray e.g Frylight) and season with ½ of your seasoning mix (I mix together all of the seasonings in one pot so I can see roughly how much half is). Place the breasts, presentation side down (smooth side), in the air fryer basket. Brush the side facing you with the remaining oil and season with the remaining seasoning.

    Three: Place the basket in the air fryer. Turn the breasts after half the cooking time has elapsed (so 9 minutes in this case).

    Four: Once the time is up, immediately take the chicken out of the air fryer (otherwise you risk it overcooking) and place a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The temperature should be 75°C (165 °F). Leave the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving with your choice of sides. Or, let the chicken cool to room temperature and store in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

    Step by step cooking chicken breasts in air fryer collage.

    💭 Top tips

    • Always turn your chicken breasts halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
    • Cooking time will depend on the weight of your chicken breasts. If you are cooking four chicken breasts, weigh the largest one and use that to work out your timings. Air fryers do vary so make sure you consult your manufacturer's guide.

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast Cooking Times

    170g (6oz) chicken breast - 15 minutes total cooking time

    225g (8oz) chicken breast - 18 minutes total cooking time

    280g (10oz) chicken breast - 20 minutes total cooking time

    340g (12oz) chicken breast - 22 minutes total cooking time

    Cook up to 4 chicken breasts at a time.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    The air fryer chicken breasts are delicious with roast sweet potato, cheesy leeks, cheesy chips, baked carrot fries, air fryer roast potatoes, air fryer sweet potato fries, cheesy courgette and tomato bake, curried rice salad, baked potatoes, turmeric rice, or stirred through pasta.

    You can also slice up the chicken and store it in the fridge for use in sandwiches, salads, and even this air fryer frittata.

    📖 Variations

    • Vary the seasoning. I used Italian herbs but fajita or Cajun seasoning would also work well. Alternatively, just use a simple salt and pepper seasoning if you prefer.
    • Use pork steaks instead of chicken breasts. Consult your manufacturer's guide for timings.
    Air fryer Italian chicken breast served with air fryer roast potatoes.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - The cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 48 hours. Either use cold in salads, add to pasta or risotto or reheat in the microwave until piping hot.

    Freeze - The cooked chicken breasts can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

    ❓ FAQS

    How long do you cook a chicken breast in the air fryer?

    The length of cooking time depends on the size of your chicken breasts. Weigh your chicken breasts and consult with your manufacturer's guidelines. A 225g (8oz) chicken breast will take roughly 18 minutes to cook. Always use a meat thermometer to check the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 75°C (165F) at the thickest part.

    Do I need to use oil to air fry a chicken breast?

    Brushing the chicken breasts lightly with oil ensures the chicken becomes juicy and tender. If you prefer, you can use a low calorie cooking spray which has fewer calories.

    Is using an air fryer healthy?

    Less oil/fat is needed to cook with an air fryer, compared to frying the same food on a conventional hob.

    😋Related recipes

    Do you like chicken as much as we do? Here are some more delicious chicken recipes to try!

    • Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
    • Chicken and Chorizo Risotto
    • Creamy Cider Chicken

    Have you got an air fryer? You might also like these tasty air fryer tinned tuna burgers, air fryer sausages, air fryer chicken katsu, and crunchy air fryer roast potatoes too!

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Air fryer chicken breast with crispy potatoes.
    Email
    Print Pin
    5 from 6 votes

    Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

    Tender and juicy air fryer chicken breasts are quick to make, super tasty and so versatile. Eat them with potatoes, rice, pasta or salad for a simple weeknight dinner.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British, Italian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 18 minutes minutes
    Total Time 23 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 291kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Tongs
    • Meat Thermometer
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Pastry Brush

    Ingredients

    • 4 Chicken Breasts skinless and boneless
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Italian Herbs
    • ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat your air fryer to 180°c (350F) and weigh your chicken breasts. It's important to know how much they weigh so you know how long to cook them! I've produced a handy little guide in the main body of the post, to help you calculate timings based on the weight of your chicken breasts.
      4 Chicken Breasts
    • Brush the chicken breasts with oil on the presentation side (or spray with low calorie cooking spray e.g Frylight) and season with ½ your seasoning mix (I mix together all the seasonings in one pot so you can see roughly how much half is). Place the breasts presentation side down (smooth side) in the air fryer basket. Brush the side facing you with the remaining oil and season with the remaining seasoning.
      1 tablespoon Olive Oil, ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Italian Herbs, ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Place the basket in the air fryer. Turn the breasts after half the cooking time has elapsed (so 9 minutes in this case). I set a timer on my phone or on Alexa so I don't forget to turn them!
    • Once the time is up, immediately take the chicken out of the air fryer and place a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The temperature should be 75°c (165°F). Leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • Always turn your chicken breasts halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
    • Cooking time will depend on the weight of your chicken breasts. If you are cooking four chicken breasts, weigh the largest one and use that to work out your timings. Air fryers do vary so make sure you consult your manufacturer's guide.
     
    Serving Suggestions: The chicken breasts are delicious with roast potatoes, baked potatoes, rice, and pasta. Or, why not serve cold with a salad?
    Freezing: The cooked chicken breasts can be frozen for up to 3 months.
    Nutrition: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    291
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    9
    g
    14
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    145
    mg
    48
    %
    Sodium
     
    553
    mg
    24
    %
    Potassium
     
    848
    mg
    24
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    1
    g
    0
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    48
    g
    96
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    196
    IU
    4
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    3
    mg
    4
    %
    Calcium
     
    17
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air fryer tuna mwlt sandwich on a wooden board with salad and crisps.
      Best Ever Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
    • Air fryer mini egg dessert pots with a scoop of ice cream on top.
      Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
    • Gourmet air fryer panini on a wooden board.
      Easy Air Fryer Panini (Ham & Brie)
    • Air fryer creme egg croissant on a plate with raspberries and blueberries and a glass of milk in the background.
      Air Fryer Creme Egg Croissant Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gail Montero

      February 17, 2021 at 8:46 pm

      5 stars
      I love my air fryer because it cuts the cooking time! Love that this chicken
      breast can be cooked perfectly and in no time there!

      Reply
    2. Jess

      February 17, 2021 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy these are to make in the air fryer! And so juicy!

      Reply
    3. Jamie

      February 17, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a simple and easy recipe! The chicken came out perfect and it was delicious served with some potatoes. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Beth Sachs

        February 25, 2021 at 1:35 pm

        Glad you enjoyed it Jamie

        Reply
    4. Jovita

      February 17, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      5 stars
      I just got an air fryer and I can't stop browsing through various recipes. Chicken breasts are a staple at our house so I am definitely bookmarking this one. Thanks for the detailed instructions!

      Reply
    5. Carrie Robinson

      February 17, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      I just love that you made these in the air fryer! Genius idea. 🙂

      Reply
    6. Elaine

      February 16, 2024 at 6:11 pm

      5 stars
      Well I’ve always managed to make rubbery chicken breasts! But not today! These were so lovely my husband commented “ these are interestingly delicious! He’s used to rubbery😂

      Also I did your air fryer flapjacks yesterday and they were lovely as well. Thank you

      Reply
      • Beth Sachs

        February 17, 2024 at 9:09 am

        Glad you and your husband enjoyed the chicken and flapjacks Elaine

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Air fryer chicken breasts pin image.

    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

    Read more!

    My Web Stories

    Footer

    Footer

    Air fryer chicken breasts pin image.

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2025 Effortless Foodie

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.