A quick but flavorful air fryer chicken breast recipe that is ready in just 20 minutes! With a super simple breading that gets crispy and delicious in the air fryer.
Need to get dinner on the table quickly? This is your recipe! This simple but versatile air fryer chicken breast is a real crowd-pleaser and is so easy to make.
This post was originally published in 04/2018. It was rewritten and republished (with a new video) in 09/2019. Same great recipe!
After tackling the perfect baked chicken breast, it’s time to show you a great way to cook chicken breasts in the air fryer!
With a delicious breading that gets nice and crispy in the air fryer, it adds a ton of flavor to your chicken. And the best part is that it can be on your table in just 20 minutes!
Reasons your air fryer is a great way to cook chicken breast
- it pre-heats faster than the oven
- it cooks the chicken through in just 6 minutes
- you get a delicious crispy texture to the breading without the need for a ton of oil
Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!
How to cook chicken breast in air fryer
I bet you’ve never made a breaded chicken recipe that is this simple before! We are skipping the traditional flour/egg/breading routine in favor of a simpler and faster way of getting things done.
Here’s how to cook chicken breast in air fryer:
- slice chicken breasts in half across to make 2 thin slices per breast
- brush with olive oil
- mix up breading: bread crumbs, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and a tiny bit of cayenne
- coat chicken all over in the breading, shake excess off
- cook 2 slices at a time in a single layer in your air fryer basket (see *): 6 minutes total, flipping partway through. You can test with a digital thermometer to make sure your chicken reaches 165°F or cut one open.
That’s it!
* depending on your air fryer model you may be able to fit more in the basket.
Tell me about this air fryer chicken breast breading!
When it comes to the breading, there details are important.
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
So make sure that you use regular breadcrumbs for best results with this chicken breast air fryer recipe.
Can I prep air fryer chicken breast ahead? Surprisingly, this recipe reheats really well! Cook as directed in the recipe card, then cool and store in an air tight container. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, until heated through and breading becomes crispy again!
Can I make this recipe keto? Some readers have had success with this recipe by swapping the breadcrumbs for pork rinds! I have not personally tried.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? I bet you could swap the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs, but again, I have not personally tried this.
What to serve with this chicken breast air fryer recipe?
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it is so versatile! Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with it:
- Roasted vegetables– our current favorites are these Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
- Side salad– like this Staple Kale Salad or a leafy salad tossed in this Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Potatoes– roasted in the oven, grilled like these Ultra Crispy Grilled Potatoes, or mashed like these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Cauliflower– this Fluffy Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower might just be better than mashed potatoes!
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this recipe. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.
Tips & equipment for the perfect air fryer chicken breast
- this air fryer is the one I own, but you may want to consider a larger model like this XL air fryer
- this would work with boneless skinless chicken thighs as well (unsure of the cook time though)
- Looking for more air fryer recipes? Check out these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, these Air Fryer Chicken Wings and this Air Fryer Shrimp
20 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (roughly 2 large)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Breading
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (see *)
- 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 horizontally 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 a single layer 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 either check with a digital thermometer that chicken has reached 165°F or cut one in half.
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.
Ninjette
I got a Ninja Air Fryer for Christmas, and this is the very first thing I made in it. Came out great! My chicken breasts were on the thick side, so I had to give them another couple minutes to get them done completely. I kept a meat thermometer nearby to check. Next time I may try slicing them into thirds, not halves, to keep them thin enough. The chicken stayed juicy and flavorful, and the bread crumb-spice crust was perfection – savory with a bit of a kick. Everyone loved them and I there were no leftovers. Thank you!!
Denise
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. Great job on using a meat thermometer, it is the best investment I’ve made in my kitchen 😀
Kristi
By chance have u tried half panko and half bread crumbs? It sometimes helps balance the spice and crunchy…I’m just curious too how it works out in the air fryer…if I have it I might try to see…thank u for ur recipe…
Denise
Hi Kristi! I haven’t tried that, but if you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes for you!
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.
Kristi
U can turn a pan or plate upside down too protect ur hand while cutting too…
Shari Cooper
I do it all the time. The sharper the knife, the easier it is. I use my hubby’s fish filleting knife. Just be careful.
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!