This air fryer hen breast recipe is a weeknight dinner hero—it makes flavorful, juicy hen each time! With a easy seasoning mix that creates unimaginable taste, it’s my favourite fast and straightforward protein for weeknight meals.

Why you’ll love this recipe
OK, I don’t just like the phrase “life altering” however that is one hen recipe that truly is—it’s actually that simple and scrumptious! This air fryer hen breast has change into my go-to simple dinner not less than as soon as per week. It comes out tender and flavorful, and it’s past easy! And all that is coming from a earlier air fryer skeptic (me!).
After experimenting with numerous hen breast recipes over time, I can confidently say this air fryer methodology is foolproof. Alex and I’ve created the excellent mix of spices that packs in taste whereas the inside stays juicy. It’s change into such a staple in our meal rotation to serve with cilantro lime rice, tacos, or to prime salads and grain bowls all through the week. (Our youngsters actually cheer after I say that that is on the dinner menu!)
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“Recreation changer! My household devoured it and requested after we might have it once more. The seasoning mix is ideal – flavorful with out being overpowering.” – Tanvee
What you want for hen breast within the air fryer
The most important problem with hen breasts is preserving them juicy. After a lot testing, I’ve found the air fryer solves this drawback by making a sealed exterior that locks in moisture whereas cooking the within completely. You additionally don’t even have to attend for an oven to preheat for baked hen or get your stovetop splattered like with pan seared hen. Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Air fryer with massive basket: I exploit this air fryer with a big basket that matches a number of items comfortably and is surprisingly simple to scrub. The non-stick floor is a game-changer for fast cleanup on busy nights!
- Instantaneous learn thermometer: Probably the most dependable manner to make sure excellent doneness with out reducing into the hen.
- Kitchen mallet or rolling pin: For night out the thickness.
- Boneless, skinless hen breasts: I search for items which might be related in dimension, round 8 ounces every.
- Olive oil: Creates a base for the seasonings to stick to and helps with browning.
- Smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder: That is my secret seasoning weapon! The smoked paprika particularly provides unimaginable depth of taste with out warmth
Easy methods to make air fryer hen—step-by-step
Alex and I’ve refined this course of by way of dozens of take a look at runs to get constantly juicy outcomes each time! Right here’s what to know:
1. Prep the hen for even cooking.
One of many largest errors I used to make was not addressing the uneven thickness of hen breasts. The thinner finish would dry out whereas the thicker half remained undercooked.
My resolution: Pat the hen breasts utterly dry with paper towels, then gently pound the thicker finish till the breast is an excellent thickness all through. This straightforward step ensures even cooking!
Professional tip: Don’t pound too aggressively. You’re simply seeking to even issues out, not flatten the hen utterly.
2. Season for max taste.
In a small bowl, combine collectively salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and chili powder (see the recipe under for portions).
My method: First, coat each side of the hen with olive oil (this helps the seasonings stick and promotes browning). Then generously sprinkle the seasoning mix throughout each side of the hen breasts, gently urgent it in to stick.

3. Preheat for crispy exterior.
I’ve realized that preheating the air fryer is non-negotiable for getting that excellent exterior texture.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for five minutes. This step ensures the hen begins cooking instantly when it hits the basket, creating a lightweight crust that seals in moisture.
4. Regulate for the proper timing.
Place the seasoned hen breasts within the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. In case your air fryer is smaller, prepare dinner them one after the other relatively than crowding.
Prepare dinner for 12-Quarter-hour till the inner temperature reaches 165°F. The precise timing is determined by the thickness of your hen breasts and your particular air fryer mannequin.
Important tip: For hen breasts round 8 ounces, I usually discover that 13 minutes is ideal in my air fryer. In case your hen breasts are smaller (round 6 ounces), verify on the 10-minute mark. Bigger items may have as much as 16 minutes.

5. Relaxation earlier than slicing.
That is maybe essentially the most essential step that many individuals skip! Take away the hen from the air fryer and let it relaxation for five minutes earlier than reducing into it.
Throughout this relaxation interval, the juices redistribute all through the meat as a substitute of working out while you lower into it. I’m normally extraordinarily impatient in terms of this half, however Alex has assured me it’s tremendous vital (and it’s true!).
How lengthy to prepare dinner hen within the air fryer
I get this query on a regular basis, so right here’s my definitive information to air fryer hen breast timing:
For boneless, skinless hen breasts at 400°F:
- Small (6 oz): 10-12 minutes
- Medium (8 oz): 12-Quarter-hour
- Giant (10+ oz): 15-18 minutes
Do not forget that these are pointers! Probably the most dependable methodology is at all times cooking to temperature (165°F) relatively than time, ensuring to measure on the thickest a part of the breast. I’ve discovered that checking with a meat thermometer on the minimal instructed time, then including extra time if wanted, offers one of the best outcomes.
Variations and serving concepts
This air fryer hen breast is actually one of the best simple dinner thought: we make it not less than as soon as per week! Listed below are some serving recommendations:
- Completely different seasonings: Attempt including Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, blackened seasoning, taco seasoning, or fajita seasoning.
- Meal prep: Slice and refrigerate for fast protein so as to add to salads and wraps.
- Household model: Serve with roasted greens and mashed potatoes. In fact you may additionally add air fryer asparagus!
- Sandwich improve: Slice thinly and use in sandwiches with avocado and greens.
- Pasta adder: Cube and add to white sauce pasta or garlic butter noodles.
- Grain Bowls: Serve over brown rice or quinoa with roasted greens and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Storing leftovers and reheating
One of many nice issues about this air fryer hen breast recipe is how nicely it holds up as leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Retailer in an hermetic container for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Slice or cube the hen earlier than freezing in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months.
- Finest reheating methodology: To stop drying out, reheat briefly within the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes till simply warmed by way of.
Dietary notes
This air fryer hen breast recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and Mediterranean food regimen pleasant.
Often requested questions
With my air fryer mannequin, I don’t discover flipping needed. The circulating sizzling air cooks the hen evenly from all sides. In case you discover uneven browning together with your mannequin, you may flip midway by way of cooking time.
No! Thaw the hen earlier than making this recipe.
Sure! For bone-in hen breasts, prepare dinner at 370°F for about 20-25 minutes, or till they attain an inside temperature of 165°F.
Air Fryer Rooster Breast—Finest Ever!
This air fryer hen breast recipe is a weeknight dinner hero—it makes flavorful, juicy hen each time! With a easy seasoning mix that creates unimaginable taste, it’s my favourite fast and straightforward protein for weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: Quarter-hour
- Complete Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Class: Primary Dish
- Methodology: Air fryer
- Delicacies: Rooster
- Eating regimen: Gluten Free
Components
- 2 boneless, skinless hen breasts (about 8 ounces every)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Directions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for five minutes.
- Pat the hen breasts dry, then evenly pound the thick finish of every piece of hen with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin till the hen breast is roughly the identical thickness all the way in which throughout.
- Place the hen breasts in a bowl and coat each side with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, stir collectively the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, chili powder, and kosher salt. Sprinkle the seasoning throughout each side of the hen.
- Prepare dinner for 12-Quarter-hour extra till the hen reaches an inside temperature of 165°F.
- Take away from the air fryer and permit the hen to relaxation 5 minutes earlier than serving to make sure juiciness. Slice into items and serve. Leftovers final 3 to 4 days refrigerated.
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