Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, but it’s best to fully thaw the chicken before cooking. This ensures even cooking and lets the oil and seasoning stick properly.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Chicken is safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part—the juices should run clear, and there should be no pinkness inside.

What if I don’t have an air fryer—can I bake this instead?

Absolutely! Place breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway. The air fryer gives extra crispiness, but the oven works well too.

Can I make this with chicken thighs?

Yes, boneless skinless thighs work beautifully. They may need an extra 2-3 minutes in the air fryer, but will turn out deliciously juicy.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets; 1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola, or vegetable oil); 1/2 cup (25g) dried bread crumbs; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/4 teaspoon dried chili powder; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola, or vegetable oil); Favorite seasonings (to taste, e.g. salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika)

Description

This easy and healthy Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with a golden, perfectly seasoned crust using minimal oil. With both breaded and unbreaded versions, you can enjoy a delicious, high-protein main dish perfect for lunch or dinner. The air fryer method ensures quick cooking, easy cleanup, and consistently crispy results every time, making this recipe great for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Breaded Chicken

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola, or vegetable oil)
1/2 cup (25g) dried bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

Unbreaded Chicken

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola, or vegetable oil)
Favorite seasonings (to taste, e.g. salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika)

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a bowl and drizzle with oil, ensuring each piece is well coated.
Mix Breading (For Breaded Version): In a separate shallow dish, combine the dried bread crumbs with paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt until the mixture is well blended.
Bread the Chicken (For Breaded Version): Coat each oiled chicken breast in the seasoned bread crumbs, pressing gently so the coating adheres, then transfer to the air fryer basket.
Season the Chicken (For Unbreaded Version): If making the unbreaded option, rub seasoning of choice on both sides of the oiled chicken breasts before placing directly in the air fryer basket, breast-side down.
Air Fry: Set the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). For breaded chicken, air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping after 7 minutes and continuing to cook until golden and crisp. For unbreaded chicken, air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through with kitchen tongs. Adjust cooking time based on thickness of chicken.
Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove chicken from the air fryer immediately to prevent drying out. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use similar-sized chicken breasts for even cooking.
Always check that the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
For extra-crispy breading, spray the coated chicken lightly with cooking oil before air frying.
Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps retain its juices.
This recipe is versatile—try different seasoning blends for variety.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 chicken breast
Calories: 190
Sugar: 0.5g
Sodium: 390mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 0.6g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 77mg