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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts with a golden-brown, caramelized crust and juicy, tender interior in under 20 minutes. Seasoned with garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and Italian herbs, then air fried at 390°F for evenly cooked results.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and seasoning
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pounded to an even 3/4-inch thickness for uniform cooking.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Use to brush both sides.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 fresh parsley and lemon wedges for serving For garnish after resting.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Preheat and prep
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F so it’s fully hot before the chicken goes in. Use a short preheat to help the exterior brown quickly.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts to an even 3/4-inch thickness if needed for uniform cooking. Aim for consistent thickness so the cook time stays reliable.
  3. Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil to promote browning. Make sure the surface looks evenly coated.
  4. Mix together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper, then rub evenly over both sides of the chicken. Press lightly so the spice mix adheres to the surface.
Air fry
  1. Air fry at 390°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is golden-brown.
  2. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside. During the rest, the crust will set and the interior will stay tender.
  3. Slice and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve with the lemon to brighten the seasoned crust.

Notes

For the juiciest results, use a meat thermometer and remove the chicken as soon as it hits 165°F—carryover cooking will finish the center. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. Freezing is not ideal for best texture, but leftovers can be frozen up to 2 months and reheated gently. For a lower-sodium option, reduce the salt by half and increase black pepper to taste.