This air fryer chicken breast is a simple and delicious way to enjoy chicken. This method of cooking is not only healthy, but quick and easy with less mess than pan-frying! The chicken breast remains juicy and tender on the inside and is flavoured with a Cajun spice blend making it a delicious addition to any meal.
Chicken breast doesn’t have to be dry, bland, and boring. Chicken breast is a great addition to a healthy diet but learning how to cook it well is going to help make it so much more enjoyable to eat.
Thanks to the air fryer, this method of cooking the chicken helps to keep it tender and juicy in the middle, and loads of spices give it a delicious flavour and crispy little edges that you’d expect from pan-fried chicken.
This is one of those recipes that you want to keep in mind for everyday scenarios. I often like to cook some chicken breast for meal prep as it’s a great lean protein to add to many different meals. Just like poached chicken breast, this air fryer method is a great way to easily cook your chicken without too much hassle.
This chicken can be flavoured with any combination of spices that you like (try lemon pepper chicken), and then served with a side of vegetables for an easy dinner, or sliced up and served with salad, pasta, or on sandwiches or wraps. It really is an incredibly versatile protein!
If you prefer your chicken breast with a crispy exterior, try this air fryer chicken schnitzel instead, or if you prefer chicken thigh, then you must make these air fryer BBQ chicken thighs.
Key Ingredients
This is a base recipe that you can use as a guide when cooking chicken breast in the air fryer. Feel free to use any spice mix you like.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken breast – these seem to get bigger and bigger every time I buy them! One chicken breast can be anywhere from 250-350 grams so I usually use 2 and cut them in half horizontally to get 4 fillets / serves.
- Olive oil – just a little helps the spice mix stick to the chicken, prevent the chicken sticking to the air fryer basket and also allows the exterior to crisp up.
- Spice mix – I am using my homemade Cajun seasoning to flavour these chicken breasts as I like the smoky, spicy taste, but you can use any combination of spices you like. Or simply use the classic combo of onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika.
Equipment and Tools
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Air fryer – It’s no surprise you’ll need an air fryer to make this recipe. This is the one I have which I love and use a lot! It is perfect for 2 people, but if you’re feeding a family look for an XL or XXL size.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by prepping the chicken breasts. Place your hand on top of one chicken breast and carefully slice it in half horizontally using a sharp knife to create two fillets. Repeat with the second chicken breast, so you have four fillets in total.
Next, rub each fillet with olive oil, then coat evenly with Cajun seasoning. I like to do this in a shallow baking dish for ease but you can do this on the chopping board if you don’t want to dirty another dish.
Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer and your chicken breasts, you may need to cook in batches.
Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping after 8 minutes. All air fryers are a little different and the thickness of the chicken breast will vary greatly as well, so keep in mind that the cooking time may be specific to you. I recommend checking at around 10 minutes and then going from there. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
Take the chicken out and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This step is essential in ensuring that your chicken breast remains juicy and tender and it also helps make it much easier to slice without the meat tearing apart.
Do not overcook the chicken!
As soon as chicken breast is overcooked, it becomes tough and rubbery and basically not pleasant to eat. To prevent this, you want to ensure you have a meat thermometer for accuracy and are checking the doneness of the chicken earlier than you expect it to be ready.
Start checking at about 10 minutes and then adjust from there. You are looking for an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) but remember that as the chicken rests it will continue to cook, so for the best result, remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 72°C (162°F), as it will rise to 75°C (165°F) while resting.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
As mentioned, batch cooking chicken breast is a great option for meal prep as you can easily add it to so many different meals. Once cooked, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days or even in the freezer for up to 3 months.
You can enjoy it cold from the fridge in salads or sandwiches. Or to reheat, I like to put it back in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3–5 minutes, but you can also just microwave it until warm.
Serving Suggestions
I love this air fryer chicken breast because it is so versatile, making it perfect for meal prep, quick dinners, and healthy lunches. Here are some delicious ways to serve it:
- Salad bowls – Slice the chicken and serve it over a fresh salad. Try this simple kale salad with a creamy avocado dressing, or this roasted cauliflower and chickpea salad.
- Rice or grain bowls – Serve over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice with your favourite salads and sauce.
- Wraps & sandwiches – Stuff into a wrap, pita, or sandwich with lettuce, tomato, avocado and mayo.
- Air fryer vegetables – Serve the chicken breast with air fryer broccolini for a side of greens.
- Potatoes – Everything is better with a side of potatoes! Try these crispy smashed potatoes, oven baked potato wedges, air fryer potatoes or a crowd favourite dairy free potato salad!
And of course, what about the sauce? I’ve got you with these delicious dairy free sauce options that are perfect with chicken breast!
Recipe FAQs
Chicken breast is naturally lean, so it can dry out if overcooked. To keep it juicy make sure to use a thermometer to avoid overcooking and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
It’s recommended but not essential. Preheating at 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes ensures even cooking and crispier edges. If you skip preheating, you may need to add 1–2 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, but don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between each piece so the air circulates properly.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More air fryer proteins:
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Steak
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts approx 250-350 grams each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning see notes, or any preferred spice blend
Instructions
- Place your hand on top of one chicken breast and carefully slice it in half horizontally using a sharp knife to create two fillets. Repeat with the second chicken breast, so you have four fillets in total.
- Rub each fillet with olive oil, then coat evenly with Cajun seasoning.
- Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if needed.
- Cook at 190°C (375°F) for 12–15 minutes, flipping after 8 minutes. Cooking time may vary based on thickness.
- The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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