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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast: Easy Juicy Recipe

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This crispy air fryer chicken breast recipe delivers a perfectly golden, crunchy exterior and tender, juicy meat in under 25 minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s a quick and reliable dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–8 ounces each), pounded to 1-inch thickness
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ¾ teaspoon table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano (optional)
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for coating)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound to an even thickness of about 1 inch. Season both sides generously with salt and let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Mix the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and dried herbs if using. Stir to combine.
  3. Coat the chicken: Pat the chicken very dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides, pressing gently to adhere. If using panko-Parmesan coating, mix them together in a shallow dish and press the seasoned chicken into the mixture, coating all sides.
  4. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange in the basket: Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving at least 1 inch of space around each piece. Do not overcrowd.
  6. Cook the chicken: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken using tongs, then cook for another 6-8 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
  7. Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute.
  8. Slice and serve: Slice against the grain into strips or serve whole. The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and perfectly white and juicy on the inside.

Notes

For best results, use fresh chicken breasts and pat them very dry before seasoning. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain juices. For a gluten-free version, substitute panko with crushed pork rinds or almond flour mixed with Parmesan. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken breast, crispy chicken, juicy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken, meal prep chicken

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-breast-easy-juicy-recipe/