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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts with a caramelized, golden-brown crust and juicy, tender interior in just under 20 minutes. Seasoned with garlic, onion, smoked paprika, Italian herbs, and pan-ready ease—ideal for an easy weeknight air fryer dinner.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
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
Serving
  • 1 fresh parsley For garnish.
  • 1 lemon wedges For serving.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F and let it fully come up to temperature before cooking.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts to an even 3/4-inch thickness if needed for uniform cooking.
  3. Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with the olive oil.
  4. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper, then rub evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Air fry
  1. Air fry at 390°F for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the crust is starting to turn golden.
  2. Continue air frying at 390°F for 8-9 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is golden-brown.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Pro tip: pounded chicken cooks evenly—aim for a consistent 3/4-inch thickness so the center reaches 165°F without drying out. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3–5 minutes. Freezing is yes (up to 2 months), though texture is best when reheated gently. For a lower-sodium option, use a reduced-salt seasoning mix and keep the pepper the same.