Description
This easy air fryer chicken recipe gives you juicy, flavorful chicken with golden edges in less than 25 minutes. Use it as a base for chicken breasts, boneless thighs, salads, wraps, bowls, and quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, optional
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional for heat
Fresh parsley or lemon wedges, optional for serving
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels so the seasoning sticks well and the surface browns better.
2. Add the chicken to a bowl, then drizzle it with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper over the chicken.
4. Rub the seasoning mixture over all sides of the chicken until every piece looks evenly coated.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F if your air fryer model recommends preheating.
6. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave space between pieces so the hot air can circulate.
7. Air fry chicken breasts for 10 to 16 minutes or boneless chicken thighs for 14 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
8. Check the thickest part of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach 165°F.
9. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing.
10. Serve warm with rice, salad, roasted vegetables, wraps, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken and the size of your air fryer.
For extra juicy chicken breasts, choose pieces with similar thickness or pound them lightly before seasoning.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Brush BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard on the chicken during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece chicken
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 118mg