Juicy Air Fryer Chicken

Highlighted in: Main Meals Everyone Enjoys

Two simple ways to make moist and flavorful chicken breast in your air fryer—crispy with breadcrumbs or lightly spiced. Ready fast in about 15 minutes.

Una donna con un cappello a coda di cavallo e un vestito nero.
Écrit par Kylie
Last modified on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:31:38 GMT
Three crispy, seasoned chicken fillets in a black pan with parsley and lemon wedges on the side. Save it
Three crispy, seasoned chicken fillets in a black pan with parsley and lemon wedges on the side. | kylierecipes.com

I've found my favorite way to cook chicken that's totally transformed how I make dinner on busy nights! After trying so many different methods, I discovered air frying gives the best results - crunchy exterior, super moist inside, and done in less than 30 minutes. The best part? It barely needs any oil, so you get a healthier meal without giving up any of the taste!

Benefits of Air Fried Chicken

Ever since my air fryer arrived, I can't get over how fast and effective it is. It doesn't just cut down cooking time and power usage, but cleaning up afterward is super easy - no oil splashing all over! I really dig how flexible it is too; I can whip up everything from crunchy breaded pieces to basic seasoned chicken breasts.

Key Components for Breaded Chicken

  • Chicken Breasts: Pick boneless, skinless breasts, cut into thinner pieces for faster, more even cooking.
  • Breadcrumbs: Use dry breadcrumbs mixed with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder for extra kick.
  • Oil: Just a small amount of vegetable, olive, or canola oil helps the coating stick and gives you that crunch factor.
  • Spices: Black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and paprika boost the overall flavor profile.

Instructions for Crispy Results

Get the Chicken Ready
Cut chicken breasts into thinner cutlets and coat lightly with oil. Make sure they're completely covered.
Add Coating
Mix spices with breadcrumbs in a flat dish. Roll each piece of chicken until fully covered.
Warm Up Air Fryer
Turn air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and let it heat up for 5 minutes.
Start Cooking
Arrange chicken in the basket without stacking pieces. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning once halfway through for even browning.

Simple Seasoned Option

When I want something on the lighter side, I often skip the breadcrumbs and just go with my favorite spice combos. A tiny bit of oil, some fajita mix, and into the air fryer it goes! The chicken turns out juicy every single time.

Tricks for Juicy Air Fryer Chicken

I've made this chicken so many times now and picked up some handy tricks. My biggest discovery was trying a fast brine - soaking the meat in salt water for just 15 minutes makes such a huge difference in moisture! And always let your chicken sit for 5 minutes after cooking so all the juices settle back throughout the meat.

Delicious Dipping Options

Great sauces can totally upgrade this dish! My kitchen-made Yum Yum sauce always gets compliments, but lately I've gotten into a spicy ranch with extra cayenne kick. And whenever I make chicken with fajita seasonings, nothing beats that tangy lime crema to finish it off!

Keeping and Warming Leftovers

If you end up with extras (which hardly ever happens at my place!), they stay good in a sealed container. The trick to warming them up is using the air fryer again - just pop them in for a few minutes at 375°F and they'll get that amazing crunch back.

Pan-seared, seasoned fish filets garnished with herbs and served with lime wedges on a dark plate. Save it
Pan-seared, seasoned fish filets garnished with herbs and served with lime wedges on a dark plate. | kylierecipes.com

FAQ sur la recette

→ How do I check if the chicken's cooked?
Use a thermometer to ensure the chicken hits 165°F inside. Let it sit for 5 minutes so the juices stay locked in.
→ Can frozen chicken work?
Fresh chicken's best since frozen ones let out too much liquid. If frozen, thaw them fully and pat them dry beforehand.
→ Why cut the chicken into thinner pieces?
Thin pieces make sure everything cooks evenly and fast. Plus, the coating gets crisp without overcooking the inside.
→ Can I switch up the flavors?
Absolutely—play with spices or grab your go-to seasoning blend. Just keep the same amount of seasoning overall.
→ Do I need to warm up the air fryer?
Most models don’t need preheating, but it never hurts. A quick 2-3 mins can help cook evenly.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken

Tender air fryer chicken breast in two easy styles—crispy breaded or lightly seasoned. Great for hassle-free meals.

Préparation
5 minutes
Temps de cuisson
15 minutes
Durée totale
20 minutes
Écrit par: Kylie

Type de recette: Main Dishes

Niveau de difficulté: Simple

Cuisine: American

Quantité obtenue: 4 Nombre de portions (2 chicken breasts)

Régimes: Pauvre en glucides, Sans produits laitiers

Composition

01 Two boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into thin fillets).
02 One tablespoon of any preferred oil (olive, canola, or vegetable).
03 Half a cup (25g) of dry breadcrumbs.
04 A half teaspoon of ground paprika.
05 A pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of chili powder.
06 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
07 A small amount (1/4 teaspoon) of garlic powder.
08 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder to taste.
09 Dash of cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon).
10 A half teaspoon of salt.

Étapes de réalisation

Étape n°01

Pour oil over chicken to coat. In a plate, stir spices into breadcrumbs.

Étape n°02

Press each chicken slice into the breadcrumb mixture. Lay in fryer basket.

Étape n°03

Set air fryer to 390°F and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping after 7 minutes.

Étape n°04

Mix chicken with oil and seasonings. Lay in fryer basket.

Étape n°05

Air fry at 390°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Détails supplémentaires

  1. Includes two ways to prepare this dish.
  2. Slice chicken evenly for consistent cooking.
  3. Let the chicken rest briefly before cutting.

Outils et ustensiles nécessaires

  • Needs an air fryer.

Informations sur les allergènes

Vérifie les ingrédients pour repérer d’éventuels allergènes et consulte un expert médical en cas de doute.
  • Contains gluten (applies to breaded option only).

Apports nutritionnels (par portion)

Ces données sont uniquement indicatives et ne se substituent pas à un avis médical professionnel.
  • Kcal: 220
  • Matières grasses: 9 gr
  • Glucides: 8 gr
  • Protéines: 28 gr