How to Make Juicy Browned Chicken Breasts In An Air Fryer

Making delicious chicken breasts in your air fryer has never been easier. Learn four simple, step-by-step recipes here!

Preparing juicy, golden brown chicken breasts is a culinary art that many aspire to master. Fortunately, with the help of an air fryer, achieving this delicious dish becomes easier than ever. The circulation of hot air ensures that the breasts cook evenly, creating a tender texture on the inside and a crispy coating on the outside.

In this article, we’ll explore the process of cooking chicken breast in an air fryer, from flavor-enhancing seasonings to the ideal cooking temperature, and even step-by-step recipes to ensure that every bite is juicy and golden brown.

Types of seasoning to enhance the flavor of chicken breasts

Before diving into specific recipes, it’s important to talk about the seasonings you can use to enhance the flavor of your chicken breasts in the air fryer. We’ll share with you the most popular ones:

• Salt and pepper: this classic duo is essential to flavor your chicken breasts. Salt enhances the natural flavor of the meat, while pepper adds a touch of spice.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a delicious and aromatic flavor to chicken breasts. It’s an excellent choice for those who love garlic, but prefer to avoid large chunks.
• Paprika: paprika, either sweet or spicy, adds a smoky touch and attractive color to chicken breasts.
• Dried herbs: mixtures of dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano can give a Mediterranean flavor to your chicken breasts.
• Lemon: lemon juice and zest can provide a citrusy, refreshing touch to your chicken breasts.
• Olive oil: a drizzle of olive oil can help the spices adhere to the chicken breasts.

Now that we know some of the most common seasonings, let’s take a closer look at four different recipes for preparing juicy, golden brown chicken breasts in the air fryer.

1. Classic chicken breasts

There’s no better way to start than with the classic ways. This recipe will come in handy if you are just gaining confidence in the culinary art and the use of the air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preparation:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for three minutes.
2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper and garlic powder.
3. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with the spice mixture.
4. Place the chicken breasts in the basket of the air fryer.
5. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the breasts are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 75 °C.

2. Chicken breasts with Mediterranean herbs

If you want to steal everyone’s attention in a subtle way, you can take advantage of this simple recipe that makes use of several of the spices we mentioned earlier.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Juice and zest of one lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for three minutes.
2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary.
3. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and then sprinkle with the spice mixture.
4. Place the chicken breasts in the basket of the air fryer.
5. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the breasts are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 75 °C.
6. Sprinkle lemon juice and lemon zest over the breasts before serving.

3. Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts

The combination of flavors between the Parmesan cheese and spices will leave you wanting to repeat this dish again and again.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for three minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
3. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and then coat them with the Parmesan cheese mixture.
4. Place the chicken breasts in the basket of the air fryer.
5. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the breasts are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 75 °C.

4. Chicken breasts with paprika and lemon

This recipe brings an explosion of flavors that cook to perfection in the air fryer. The smoky paprika and the citrus touch of lemon come together to give the chicken breasts, a unique flavor profile that you will love from the first bite.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for 3 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika and lemon zest.
3. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and then sprinkle with the spice mixture.
4. Place the chicken breasts in the basket of the air fryer.
5. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the breasts are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 75 °C.
6. Drizzle lemon juice over the breasts before serving.

Recommendations for preparing the best chicken breasts

Before cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer, it’s essential to ensure that the chicken is in optimal condition and free of bacteria. Here are some important guidelines on how to thaw and treat chicken properly:

Thawing

If you’ve stored chicken in the freezer, it’s essential to thaw it properly to avoid food safety issues. Here are two safe methods for thawing chicken breasts:

• Refrigerator: Place the chicken breasts in an airtight container and place them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This allows for slow and safe thawing.
• Outside the refrigerator: Let the chicken thaw overnight or at least nine hours before cooking.

Cleaning and processing

Once the chicken is thawed, it’s important to perform the following steps to make sure it’s clean and ready to cook:

1. Drying: use clean paper towels to dry the chicken breasts. This will help spices and seasonings adhere better during preparation.
2. Removing excess fat: if necessary, trim or remove any visible fat from the breasts. This can help reduce the amount of smoke generated in the air fryer.
3. Clean surfaces: wash all surfaces and utensils used to handle the chicken with hot, soapy water to avoid cross-contamination.

By following these defrosting and treatment steps, you can be sure that your chicken breasts are in optimal condition to be cooked in the air fryer and enjoy a delicious and safe meal.

Discover your own chicken breast air fryer recipes

As you may have noticed, the preparation of juicy and golden chicken breasts in the air fryer keeps the same line of steps that allow you to add your favorite seasonings, since an air fryer offers you the versatility to experiment with flavors and textures.

Keep experimenting with seasonings and recipes to create your own versions of these irresistible chicken breasts.