Description
This air fryer chicken breast recipe offers a quick, flavorful way to prepare juicy, tender chicken using minimal ingredients. Marinated with a blend of garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and oregano, and optionally enhanced with fresh lemon juice, this healthy chicken dish is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (About 1.5 pounds total)
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon (optional for added flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until fully mixed.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and toss them in the marinade, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Optionally, squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken for a bright, fresh flavor. Let the chicken rest in the marinade for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Arrange in the air fryer: Place the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, taking care that they do not overlap to promote even cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Air fry the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through the cooking time. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat and juicy.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving to lock in the juices and enhance tenderness.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for consistent cooking; you can pound them if needed.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and crisping.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Marinating for longer than 10 minutes (up to a few hours) can enhance flavor but is not necessary.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken breast, healthy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, boneless chicken breast air fryer, quick chicken recipe
