Juicy, tender chicken breast with a flavorful, lightly crispy outside—ready in about 20 minutes!

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness.
2. Season: Brush both sides with olive oil. Mix the seasonings together and rub evenly over the chicken.
3. Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
4. Cook: Place the chicken breasts in the basket in a single layer.
5. Air fry: Cook for 16–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
   • Thin breasts: about 14–16 minutes
   • Medium breasts: about 16–18 minutes
   • Thick breasts: about 18–22 minutes
6. Check temperature: The thickest part should reach 165°F (74°C).
7. Rest: Remove from the air fryer and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

🔥 How to Keep Chicken Breast Juicy

• Don’t overcook it—the thermometer is your best friend.
• Pound thick breasts to an even thickness.
• Lightly coat with oil before seasoning.
• Leave space between the chicken pieces for proper air circulation.
• Always rest the chicken before cutting.

🌶️ Easy Flavor Variations

Lemon Pepper: Add 1 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning and finish with fresh lemon juice.

Cajun: Replace the seasoning blend with 1–1½ tsp Cajun seasoning.

Garlic Herb: Add extra garlic powder and ½ tsp dried thyme.

Smoky: Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.

Honey Garlic: Brush with a small amount of honey-garlic sauce during the final 2–3 minutes.

❄️ Frozen Chicken Breast

For frozen boneless chicken breasts:

1. Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 10 minutes.
2. Separate the breasts if possible.
3. Brush with oil and add seasonings.
4. Continue cooking for approximately 12–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
5. Check that the center reaches 165°F (74°C).

♨️ Reheating Leftovers

Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3–6 minutes, just until warmed through. Avoid overheating, which can dry the chicken.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Slice the chicken and serve with:

• Air fryer roasted potatoes 🥔
• Air fryer carrots 🥕
• Steamed vegetables
• Rice or pasta
• Salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Sandwiches or wraps

⏱️ Recipe at a Glance

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 16–20 minutes
Total: About 25 minutes
Temperature: 375°F (190°C)
Servings: 2
Difficulty: Easy

⭐ Best tip: Chicken breasts vary considerably in thickness, so start checking the internal temperature a few minutes before the expected cooking time is finished.