Description
This Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe offers a juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked chicken breast using a simple spice rub and the efficient air frying method. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir or whisk until the mixture is well blended and evenly mixed to create a flavorful rub.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove moisture for better browning. Place the chicken breasts in a zip-top bag or between two layers of parchment paper and gently pound them using a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are an even thickness. This ensures even cooking throughout.
- Season the Chicken: Rub the olive oil evenly over all sides of the chicken breasts to help the spices stick and promote browning. Then, generously rub the prepared spice mixture on both sides of each chicken breast, coating the entire surface.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in your air fryer basket without overlapping. Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for an additional 5 to 12 minutes, depending on their size, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result. Slice and serve as desired.
Notes
- Make sure to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking or overcooking.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it juicy.
- Adjust cook time based on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts; larger breasts require longer cooking.
- This recipe can be doubled if your air fryer basket has enough space to keep chicken in a single layer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
