Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast (Easy, Flavorful & Foolproof!)

Tired of dry, boring chicken? This juicy air fryer chicken breast recipe is your new weeknight hero! A quick salt brine and bold seasoning blend guarantee mouthwatering, restaurant-quality chicken—fast, healthy, and practically effortless.

Save this recipe for later!

this recipe

Why You’ll Love This Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

• Super Moist – A 30-minute salt brine ensures every bite stays juicy, never dry.
• Bold Flavor – Garlic, chili powder, paprika, and oregano make the perfect seasoning blend.
• Minimal Oil – Air frying creates crisp, flavorful chicken with a fraction of the fat.
• Versatile – Perfect for meal prep, salads, sandwiches, wraps, or main dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt (for brining)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Tip: For the juiciest results, use similar-sized chicken breasts or pound to even thickness.

How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

1. Quick Brine: Pat chicken dry. Sprinkle generously with salt and refrigerate, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
2. Season: Mix garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Prep Chicken: Remove from fridge. Rub with olive oil and coat well in seasoning blend.
4. Preheat Air Fryer: 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly oil the basket.
5. Cook: Arrange chicken in a single layer (no overlap). Air fry for 9 minutes per side, flipping once. Adjust time for size (see chart below).
6. Check Temp: Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Rest: Transfer to a plate and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. This locks in the juices!

Cooking Times by Size

• Small (5–7 oz): 7–10 minutes total
• Medium (8–10 oz): 10–13 minutes total
• Large (11+ oz): 14–18 minutes total
  Always check with a meat thermometer for best results.

Pro Tips for Juicy Chicken

• Never skip the brine! It makes a dramatic difference in moisture.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Let chicken rest before slicing so juices don’t escape.
• Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking.

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: For best texture, reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or covered in the oven.

Additions & Substitutions

Additions:

• Top with cheese during the last 2 minutes (mozzarella, pepper jack, etc.)
• Finish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro after cooking

Substitutions:

• Swap olive oil for avocado oil
• Change the seasoning to Italian, Cajun, or lemon pepper for a new twist

FAQs: Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

What to Serve With Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Pair with a fresh garden salad, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or quinoa. Also great sliced on pasta or wrapped in a tortilla with avocado and veggies.

Save this recipe for later!

Printable Recipe Card: Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This recipe focuses on bringing out the best in boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a quick brine and a bold spice rub.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 53 minutes minutes

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer, Chicken, Healthy

Servings: 2 breasts

Calories: 198kcal

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• salt for quick brining
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasoning Blend

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

• Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and refrigerate uncovered for 30 minutes.
• While chicken chills, mix all seasoning blend ingredients in a bowl.
• Rub chilled chicken with olive oil and coat with spice mixture.
• Lightly oil the air fryer basket. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Place chicken in air fryer and cook for 9 minutes per side.
• Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Chicken sizes vary – adjust cooking time accordingly and check with a thermometer. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer as directed.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 10g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!