Extra juicy and flavorful, this Air Fryer Chicken Breast gets its unbeatable texture from a simple saltwater brine—no dry chicken here!
How To Make Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
The secret to the juiciest air fryer chicken breast? A simple 1 to 2-hour brine in the fridge. This extra step locks in moisture and ensures each bite is tender, flavorful, and never dry. Pair that with the air fryer’s quick cook time, and you’ve got perfectly seasoned chicken breasts ready in under 20 minutes. Ideal for meal prep, salads, sandwiches, or easy weeknight dinners.
If you are new to air frying, you can see more air fryer recipes like these crispy, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, or Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
Why This Air Fryer Chicken Works
I’m a dark meat girl, so if I’m cooking chicken breasts—which are such a great source of lean protein—this is my go-to method. This air fryer chicken breast recipe creates the juiciest chicken with so much flavor. Here’s why it works:
- Brining makes all the difference – A quick 1–2 hour brine helps lock in moisture so the chicken stays tender and never dries out.
- Simple spices, big flavor – No need for breading—just pantry seasonings for a healthy, flavor-packed result.
- Great for Meal Prep – Add them to bowls, salads or any recipe that needs chicken.
- High Protein – One medium breast is about 40 grams of protein!
- Great for many dietary restrictions: Weight Watchers, Anti-inflammatory, Gluten-free and Dairy-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make the juiciest air fryer chicken breasts. (See the recipe card below for exact amounts):
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – I prefer organic, which tend to be smaller and cook more evenly in the air fryer.
- Brine – Just water and kosher salt. I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, which is less salty than Morton’s. If using table salt, reduce the amount to avoid over-salting.
- Seasoning blend – A simple mix of smoked or sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dried parsley.
Short on time? You can swap in your favorite spice rub or a Cajun blend for extra kick.
How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Here’s the step-by-step directions for perfect, juicy, air fryer chicken breast. See printable directions in recipe card below.
- Pound the chicken
To ensure even cooking, gently pound the thick end of each chicken breast so they’re an even thickness all the way through. - Make a quick salt brine
Fill a large bowl with about 6 cups of lukewarm water and stir in ¼ cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt until dissolved. It may sound like a lot of salt, but only a small amount gets absorbed—just enough to make the chicken extra juicy. - Brine the chicken
Submerge the chicken breasts in the salt water and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. (Don’t go longer—too much time in the brine can make the chicken overly salty.) - Dry the chicken
Remove the breasts from the brine, discard the water, and pat them completely dry with paper towels. - Season
Lightly spritz or rub each chicken breast with olive oil. Mix your spice blend (or use a favorite rub) and coat both sides generously. - Air fry
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Cook the chicken for 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Tips for Juicy Chicken Every Time
Brining is the secret weapon for juicy, flavorful chicken breasts—especially when cooking with lean cuts like this. It doesn’t add water to the meat, but it helps the chicken hold on to its natural moisture while it cooks.
Here’s how it works: the salt in the brine relaxes the muscle fibers, creating tiny spaces that trap moisture. It also changes how proteins behave during cooking, forming a gel-like barrier that locks those juices in. The result? Chicken that’s tender, never dry, and full of flavor.
Basic brine ratio:
Use 4 tablespoons of kosher salt per 6 cups of lukewarm water. Just 1 to 2 hours in this solution makes a noticeable difference—no need for an overnight soak.
Serving Suggestions
This juicy air fryer chicken breast is incredibly versatile and pairs well with just about anything. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
- Roasted Vegetables – Keep it simple with sides like roasted broccoli, carrots, asparagus, or sweet potatoes. They’re easy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients.
- Whole Grains – Turn it into a bowl by serving over quinoa, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Fresh Salad – Slice and serve over a crisp green salad with avocado, nuts, and a light vinaigrette. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Mac and Cheese – For something more indulgent, serve with my creamy mac and cheese, it’s always a comforting, crowd-pleasing side.
- Baked Potatoes – Pair with my baked potato recipe, air fryer baked potato or baked sweet potatoes.
How Long To Cook Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
The cook time will vary based on the thickness and size of your chicken breasts. Here’s a helpful guide:
Chicken Breast Air Fryer Cook Time:
- Small Chicken Breasts (5 to 6 ounces): 8 to 10 minutes
- Medium Chicken Breasts (7 to 8 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes
- Large Chicken Breasts (9 ounces or more): 12 to 14 minutes
Always flip the chicken breast halfway through for even cooking. The safe minimum internal temperature for cooked chicken breast is 165°F (73.9°C) as measured with an instant read thermometer.
Variables that can effect the cook time:
- How much much chicken you have in the basket. One piece vs a full basket can vary in time from 1 to 2 minutes.
- Air fryer cook times can vary by air fryer. Some of these factors include the wattage and type of air fryer (basket style vs toaster style air fryer). Get to know your air fryer and make adjustments as needed.
- Letting the chicken rest to room temperature before cooking vs cooking straight from the refrigerator may need a minute or two more.
Storage and Meal Prep
Air fryer chicken breast is perfect for meal prep—it stores and reheats beautifully without drying out.
- Meal prep idea: Slice or dice the chicken and portion it out with grains and roasted veggies for easy grab-and-go lunches all week.
- Refrigerator: Store cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave, air fryer, or a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist.
FAQ
Yes, but you’ll need to thaw them completely before brining and cooking for even results.
No, it’s optional—but highly recommended! Brining makes a big difference in how juicy and flavorful the chicken turns out.
Yes, but use less—about half the amount—as table salt is more concentrated than kosher salt.
Why You Can Trust Me
As the author of two New York Times bestselling air fryer cookbooks—The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook and The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Dinners Cookbook—I’ve tested just about every way to cook chicken in an air fryer. This recipe is one I return to again and again because it’s simple, juicy, and consistently delicious.
If you love air frying, you’ll find even more must-try recipes inside both books.
More Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipes:
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Chicken Milanese
- Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- kosher salt, *see notes
- 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
- olive oil spray
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 cayenne pepper
Instructions
Air Fryer Method:
- Pound the thicker end of the chicken to make both sides leveled out so they cook evenly.
- Fill a large bowl with 6 cups of lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt, stir to dissolve.
- Add the chicken breasts to the water and let them sit, refrigerated 1 to 1 1/2 hours to brine. Remove from water, pat dry with paper towels and discard the water.
- In a small bowl combine 3/4 teaspoon salt, with the remaining spices. Spritz the chicken with oil and rub all over, then rub the spice mix over the chicken.
- Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and air fry in batches 380F 5 minutes on each side, 10 minutes total until browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside. See notes below for larger breasts.
Oven Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Heat an oven safe or cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is very hot.
- Place the chicken on the hot skillet, and cook for 1 minute. Turn, and cook 1 minute on other side.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 8 to 10 minutes. The safe minimum internal temperature for cooked chicken breast is 165°F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Video
Notes
- Small Breasts (5 to 6 ounces): 8 to 10 minutes
- Medium Breasts (7 to 8 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes
- Large Breasts (9 ounces or more): 12 to 14 minutes
- Always flip the chicken breast halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly.
Nutrition
Photo Credit: Plays Well With Butter
