Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to prepare juicy, tender chicken breasts using a simple blend of spices and brown sugar. The air fryer cooks the chicken evenly with a slightly caramelized exterior, making it perfect for a healthy and delicious meal in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin)
Seasoning Mix
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Additional
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the chicken breasts evenly.
- Prepare the chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are thick, either slice them in half to create thinner pieces or place them between parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound them thin for even cooking.
- Mix the seasonings. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper to create the flavorful seasoning blend.
- Coat the chicken. Rub each chicken breast evenly with olive oil, then apply the seasoning mixture generously to coat all sides of the chicken.
- Prepare the air fryer basket. Spray the basket of the air fryer with a nonstick spray to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Arrange the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded for proper air circulation.
- Cook the chicken. Cook the chicken breasts in the air fryer for 8 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 7 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Serve. Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer, slice if desired, and serve immediately for a juicy and delicious meal.
Notes
- To achieve consistent cooking, slice or pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F for safety.
- You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or omit it for a less sweet option.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and can be stored refrigerated for up to 4 days.
