How to make air fryer chicken breast- a healthier crispy breaded chicken that is ready in minutes and can be prepped ahead! Very little oil required.
Another air fryer post!
We purchased our air fryer in December and it has quickly become one of our favorite kitchen appliances. With very little oil, we can get nice, crispy food. It pre-heats so much quicker than an oven, and cooks food quicker, too!
We use it to make side dishes like ‘roasted’ potatoes, parmesan cauliflower, and crispy asparagus.
And it makes a mean chicken breast, too!
Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!
How to bread your air fryer chicken
For this recipe, I was aiming for something a bit like ‘KFC’ in flavor. Bear in mind that air fryer chicken is NEVER going to have the same texture as actual deep fried food, however it does get crispy.
I tried three different options for breading:
- all purpose flour ended up kind of soggy and not great in texture
- panko gave the crispiest texture, but all the seasonings sank to the bottom of the bowl, so it was lacking in flavor
- regular bread crumbs is the winner in this recipe as it gave the best compromise between crispy texture and great flavor
How to make air fryer chicken breast
Rather than traditional flour/egg/breading, I went simple with this recipe.
- Start by cutting each chicken breast in half so you have two thin slices
- Next brush all sides with olive oil.
- Using tongs, dredge in the breading. Dredge it several times until you get good coverage.
- Cook in the air fryer for 6 minutes, or until cooked through, then serve right away.
This air fryer chicken breast is perfect served on its own, served with a dipping sauce (how about this creamy cilantro lime dressing?) or maybe served on top of a salad.
It is slightly crispy, and with a ton of flavor in each bite. I haven’t eaten KFC in years but to me it reminded me of what you’d get there (flavor-wise, not texture-wise!).
And the best thing is that each serving is under 200 calories, making this air fryer chicken a healthy dinner option!
Tips for perfect air fryer chicken breast
- This is the air fryer model I have
- to make this recipe even easier to prep, assemble the breading ahead and store in an air tight container in the pantry
- looking for more air fryer recipes? Check out these air fryer chicken tenders and these air fryer chicken wings!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Breading
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat air fryer to 390°F / 200 °C.
- Slice chicken breasts in half to make two thin chicken breast halves from each.
- Brush each side lightly with olive oil.
- Stir together the breading ingredients. Dredge the chicken breasts in the breading mulitple times until they are thoroughly coated.
- Shake off excess breading, and place in the air fryer (2 chicken breast halves at a time).
- Cook for 4 minutes, flip, then two more minutes. Cook time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts, so cut one in half to see if they are done.
To prepare ahead
- These air fryer chicken breasts may be cooked 2-3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Place them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until heated through and breading is crispy again.
Fredric E
How do you slice a chicken breast in half to make it thinner? What kind of knife should you use? I would think that slicing it in half would be very dangerous and one could cut oneself doing so…
Denise
Hi Federic, I put my palm on the top of the chicken breast and use a chef’s knife to cut across. You should definitely be careful when doing it.
Dani
Love this recipe. I have been using this for a couple of months now and it never fails to amaze it that always comes out good. I’ve shared this recipe to my family and friends they all love it!
Denise
You’ve just made my day! I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed it so much <3
Ron
Can I substitute stovetop stuffing as my bread crumbs??
Denise
Hi Ron, I have never used stovetop stuffing, so unfortunately I’m not familiar with it…it is powdery or does it have large chunks of bread?
Lori
I tried this tonight but made it more Keto friendly by using Pork Rind Panko crumbs and substituted the regular paprika and red pepper by using just smoked paprika and it came out very tasty and yummy!
Denise
That’s so cool to hear the pork rinds work! Thanks so much for sharing, Lori 🙂
Judi
What can I say? It was delicious but I did add a few more spices than called for. Tender and juicy. Will be using this recipe again.
Denise
So happy you enjoyed, Judi! Thanks so much for your review 🙂
10 kitchen
oh man this looks juicy. Our last home brought marinated chicken lollipop didn’t taste well afer frying. We are going to try this next.
Denise
Hope you enjoy!
SKARDA, SUSANNE
This is the best air fryer chicken recipe I have ever made. It was tender, juicy and perfectly crispy. I will be making this often. My husband absolutely loved it. I am so happy to have found this. I have never been able to make juicy chicken like this. I couldn’t get enough of it. Thank you sooooo much.
Denise
I am so happy to read your review! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave it!
Elissa
I must have done something wrong with mine. It came out crispy at first but then the juiciness of the chicken caused the crisp to completely go away and become gummy. Any suggestions?
Denise
Hi Elissa, with the air fryer, the chicken is never ‘crispy’ like you would expect from fried chicken. But it certainly shouldn’t be gummy. Sorry I’m at a loss of what to suggest.
Mary Anne Lewis
What temperature do you oook the chicken on? This is important to include, especially for newbies.
Denise
Hi Mary Anne, it’s step 1: heat air fryer to 390°F/200°C
Winona
Novice. Do you put it on air crisp or broil or other one of the Settings. Have ninja foodi.
Denise
Hi Winona! Sounds like we have very different settings on our air fryers. I only have a temperature setting. I would guess you’d need the air crisp setting. Good luck and I hope you enjoy!
Tara
Great recipe, my family absolutely loves it!
I make this all the time and it’s always a winner. The chicken stays moist and has fantastic flavor.
Thank you!
Denise
I’m so happy to hear this, Tara! Thanks so much for your review!
Kelly
We LOVE this recipe and make it all the time! Perfect blend of spices.
Denise
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for your review!
Wendy
Awesome easy recipe! I paired these with waffles! I made mine into strips and worked in batches. Perfect!
Denise
So happy you enjoyed, Wendy! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Doretha
We tested chips – the staple food of the air fryer.
Oksana
I’m a novice at airfrying. Do you put chicken breast pieces in one layer at the bottom of a basket? Will all the pieces fit in?
Denise
Hi Oksana, so sorry for my late reply! You will have to work in batches, make sure it’s a single layer of chicken or it won’t cook through. I did 2 slices at a time. Hope this helps!
Mike King
You have 188 kcal at the top?
That’s 188,000 Calories.
Looks great. Cant wait to try it.
Thanks.
Denise
Weird, I don’t know why it says that at the top! The recipe card at the bottom is accurate though. Thanks, Mike 🙂
Justin
1 Calorie (in America) is equal to 1000 calories (everywhere else). That’s why a 400 Calorie item in America will be labelled as 400 kcal anywhere else. Thus, this dish is 188 kcal or 188 Calories per serving.
Confusing, I agree.
Marlene
Thank you thank you thank you for this recipe! The chicken came out perfect and moist! Hands down the best air fried chicken recipe out there!
Denise
Yay! I’m so happy to read this, Marlene! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Charlene
this is by far the best chicken breast I’ve ever had. Usually don’t like it because it’s always dry. This was fabulous. If it had more stars I’d use them all.
Denise
Wow, that’s amazing! Thanks so much for your review, Charlene!
Kapri Kirkbride
This was SO GOOD!!!! I feel like I’m being naughty when I eat it. But I’ve entered all the info into MyFitnessPal & the macros are awesome!!!! I’m so glad I stumbled upon this. I have made it several times now & will continue to make it. I do increase the time on the chicken.
Denise
LOL! So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Kapri 🙂
Marlana
Absolutely delicious!
Denise
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks for your review 🙂
ED Secrist
what is cooking time for a boneless chicken breast. will use your coating. sounds yummy.
Denise
Hi! This recipe is for a boneless chicken breast, I have only tried cooking them as written, so I’m not sure on the cook time for a whole chicken breast.
colleen baxter
This was awesome!! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Denise
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Colleen!
Mary J Mathews
Every time I try to cook anything which has been dredged in flour and then coating I get 1/2 of the product sticking. How do you get it to cook without sticking? I spray the trays, no luck
Shelli Bender
Parchment paper is my best friend *laughs* they actually make parchment paper rounds for the air fryer. I love them!!
Denise
Great tip, Shelli! And Mary, I’m curious what model you have? I have the Phillips and have not had issues with anything sticking to it yet. I’m in a few air fryer groups on Facebook and keep reading about certain models losing their non-stick coating. Wondering if that’s an issue for you?
Dave
I usually spray the basket with non stick cooking spray and also the breaded chicken before cooking as it makes the breading crispier and leaves the meat juicy
Chris O'Neil
Tried this tonight with our brand new air fryer and it came out amazing! Thank you for the recipe! Simple and delicious!
Denise
So happy you enjoyed, Chris! Thank you so much for your review 🙂
Jenny- Air fryer guide
Yummm! Airy fryer chicken is def my weakness and so much healthier than fried.
Denise
Thanks Jenny!
Robert Lewis
Might depend on the fryer butmy chickenis way under cooked. I had to put it in for about twice the time.
Denise
I’m sorry to hear that! I wonder if it comes down to the model, and also likely the thickness of the chicken breasts. I have the Phillips, which one are you using?
Karly
I’m hearing such good things about this air fryer. I think I need to get one! Looks delicious and easy!
Denise
We absolutely LOVE our air fryer! Thanks, Karly 🙂
Elizabeth
Excellent… cooked a little longer do to size….?
Denise
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Elizabeth! Glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Stacey E Marmolejo
I tried it. At 6 minutes (4 + 2) the chicken was done but the coating wasn’t crispy enough for my tastes. I added 2 minutes and tried it again. Still not crispy enough. 2 more minutes and it was PERFECT for my family. AND it didn’t dry the chicken out.
So if the timing doesn’t work for your fryer, leave it in a couple more minutes. It’s YUMMY!
Denise
Good to know, Stacey! I’m glad your chicken wasn’t dried out! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Mirna Johnson
I am so glad I found this recipe. I prepared today and I cant believe how crispy this breast were..amazing. Than you, thank you, thank you!! Following!
Denise
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Mirna! I hope to post more air fryer recipes soon 🙂
Courtney
Wonderful food!! Did this recipe tonight and my family loved it! Thank you so much for posting, God bless!
Denise
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Courtney! Thanks so much for reporting back 🙂
run 3
Look so yummy! cant wait to make this tonight!
Denise
I hope you enjoy it!