This Air Fryer chicken recipe is a healthier version of crispy deep-fried chicken as it’s air fried with very little oil, which makes it a great guilt-free meal. It’s golden and crispy from the outside, tender and juicy from the inside! It can also be ready in under half an hour in 7 easy steps. Show
Unbreaded version is also included in this recipe, this is the juiciest and most flavorful chicken that you will make in your Air Fryer. Make sure to check out my Air Fryer chicken tenders, chicken drumsticks, chicken wings, fish sticks, and my Crispy Fish recipe! I can’t believe that I survived 20 something years without an Air fryer! I’ve heard people talk about it, and I’ve seen other bloggers post many recipes but I never really looked into it. And only now did I understand how I was completely missing out on so much convenience, and awesome food without feeling all guilty after eating all the flavourful comfort food. So I finally got myself an Air Fryer. I started testing recipes, and we already made this healthy fried chicken recipe 3 times this week. My husband is obsessed with this recipe. Crispy, tender, and juicy chicken perfect every time! Cooking chicken breast in the Air Fryer is SO easy! So next time you crave crispy fried chicken, just follow this recipe and you’ll have perfectly golden and crispy air fried chicken breast ready in just 10 minutes! The chicken is cooked to perfection, it turns into a beautiful golden color, and I love how crispy it turns out from the outside, and perfectly cooked and white from the inside. It won’t be dry, and it won’t take long to cook either. So what’s there not to love about cooking chicken in the air fryer? This is real comfort food here! Reasons Why You Will Love Air Fryer Recipes
How to Bread the ChickenYou have two options to choose from:
Whichever way you choose, please make sure to season the coating (breadcrumbs and flour if using) as that’s where most of the flavor comes from. Do I Need Oil to Air Fry My Chicken?Yes! To get the breading stick to the chicken, and get that great crispy texture and delicious flavor, you have to use a little bit of oil. Even if you’re making unbreaded chicken breast in the air fryer, I recommend that you use a little bit of oil for better flavor. I normally use olive, canola, or vegetable oil to air fry chicken. Should I Marinate or Brine My Chicken Beforehand?I always recommend that you brine the chicken beforehand if you have time. To brine the chicken with a basic brine solution, you will need to dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 2 cups of room temp water (not hot). The water will also help the chicken come to room temperature, so it will cook evenly. Let the chicken sit in salted water for at least 15 minutes (but you can do 2 hours if you have time, or for up to 6 hours in the fridge), then rinse it with fresh water and pat dry with paper towels. If you want to take your chicken game to the next level, check out my easy chicken brine recipe that also uses flavorings such as honey, lemon slices, fresh herbs, etc. It adds so much flavor to the chicken. For breaded chicken breasts, I don’t recommend marinating the chicken for this specific recipe. If you’re making unbreaded chicken breasts, then marinating the chicken will give it more flavor. Does Brining Add Moisture to the Meat?Brining chicken prior to cooking makes it super tender and juicy! So whether you’re smoking, roasting, baking, grilling, or air frying chicken, brine it first if you can. It’s a worthwhile step, as otherwise, the chicken will dry out when it’s being cooked with high heat. How to Cook Boneless Chicken Breast in the Air FryerThis is the breaded version, for unbreaded version instructions scroll down. Step 1. Start by slicing the boneless skinless chicken breast into cutlets. For the chicken to cook quicker, you will need thinner strips. Step 2. Drizzle with one tablespoon of oil, and distribute with your hand so that the chicken is well coated in oil. Step 3. Prepare the breading/coating. In a semi-shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs with all the seasonings that you’re using. This depends on your taste, but I normally like to add chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Seasoning the chicken is very important, the seasonings are added with the breading here so if you skip this step you will end up with bland tasting chicken. If you like your chicken spicy, add more chili powder or dried chili flakes! Mix the coating. Step 4. Coat each chicken piece in the bread crumbs mixture. Make sure that the chicken is well-coated and there are no excess breadcrumbs. Step 5. Preheat your air fryer at 390°F (200°C). I usually switch it on about 5 minutes prior to cooking. This ensures that the chicken does not dry out. Step 6. Transfer your chicken to the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your basket, you can add more or fewer pieces at once. I have the 3.2-liter air fryer so I could only fit 2 pieces at once. Step 7. Air fry for 12-15 minutes. After the first 8-10 minutes, you can open the air fryer basket and flip the chicken to the other side. Use tongs to flip the chicken as the basket can be too hot so handle with care. Air Fry for 5 more minutes. The texture of this chicken breast is very similar to Schnitzel, rather than KFC’s fried chicken. How Long Should You Cook Chicken in an Air Fryer?After 12-15 minutes of cooking, the chicken breast in air fryer should become golden and crispy. Check the doneness of the chicken by using a fork and a knife and cut through a small piece to see if the meat is well cooked. You could also check using a kitchen thermometer. Insert the thermometer in the center of the chicken, and the internal temperature of the chicken should read 165F or 75C. How to Make Unbreaded Chicken in the Air FryerNow you might be wondering how to cook chicken breast in the air fryer if you don’t wish to bread it.
So if you want to cut a little bit on the calories then go for the unbreaded version. However, the breaded crispy chicken breast in the air fryer is definitely my favorite! What Sauce to Serve This Chicken With?Chicken and sauce is a match made in heaven! And I’m currently loving my homemade Yum Yum sauce. It’s the sauce that you get at hibachi restaurants, and I love it so much and think that it works great with chicken, fries, in burgers, sandwiches, and more! It’s almost like an all-purpose sauce that I add it to all of my food! Homemade ranch is also always a great idea for dipping sauce! It’s much better and creamier than store-bought, and you can even make cayenne ranch sauce (think Slim Chickens!) by adding paprika, cayenne, and a little bit of hot sauce. So good! If you end up seasoning your chicken with fajita seasoning, then this lime crema would be amazing! Join our private Instant Pot and Air Fryer Facebook group where we share exclusive recipes, and answer all of your IP and AF questions! We hope to see you there!
What to Serve With This Air Fried Chicken Breast
And don’t forget to check out my Air Fryer Fish recipe, it’s so good! The fish turns out so crispy and golden! And for a complete chicken dinner, check out Air Fryer chicken and potatoes, and Air Fryer chicken fajitas, yum! Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest! Easy crispy, tender and juicy air fryer chicken breast chicken. This is a healthier version of fried chicken and is cooked much quicker than in the oven or on the stovetop. 4 servings Easy crispy, tender and juicy air fryer chicken breast chicken. This is a healthier version of fried chicken and is cooked much quicker than in the oven or on the stovetop.
Breaded Version:
Unbreaded Version:
Calories: 163kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 423mg, Potassium: 418mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 220IU, Vitamin C: 1.3mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 0.5mg This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators. © Little Sunny Kitchen How do you cook boneless breast in the air fryer?Instructions. Preheat air fryer to 370°F. Combine the seasoning mix.. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil. ... . Place chicken breasts in the air fryer (ensuring they don't overlap) and cook for 10 minutes.. Flip chicken over and cook an additional 6-9 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F. Do not overcook.. How long should you cook chicken breasts in air fryer?How Long to Cook Chicken in the Air Fryer. Small Breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes.. Medium Breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes.. Large Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes.. Can you stick raw chicken in an air fryer?I like to cook my boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 10 minutes at 380℉, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165℉. Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer? Absolutely!
How do you keep chicken breast from drying in the air fryer?How To Avoid Dry Chicken in an Air Fryer. Brine the chicken.. Use a little oil.. Preheat the air fryer.. Check the temperature of the air fryer.. Adjust the cooking time.. Use a food thermometer.. |