Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts with a golden-brown, caramelized crust and an impossibly juicy interior. Seasoned with garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning, they cook in under 20 minutes at 390°F for a fast weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 8

Cook Time 18

Total Time 26

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Chicken and seasoning

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pounded to an even 3/4-inch thickness
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp cracked black pepper
1 fresh parsley For serving
1 lemon wedges For serving

Equipment

1 air fryer

Method

Preheat and prep

Preheat the air fryer to 390°F so it’s hot and ready for crisping.
Pound the chicken breasts to an even 3/4-inch thickness if needed for uniform cooking.
Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil.
Mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper, then rub the seasoning evenly over both sides.

Air fry

Air fry the chicken for 16 minutes at 390°F, then flip halfway through for even browning.
Continue air frying for 0 to 2 more minutes at 390°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is golden-brown, with a visibly caramelized surface.

Rest and serve

Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing so the juices settle and the interior stays tender.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for bright finishing flavor.

Notes

For the juiciest results, aim for a true 3/4-inch thickness and check doneness at 16 minutes—air fryers vary. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months. For a lower-sodium option, replace the salt with a salt-free seasoning blend while keeping the pepper and spices.