How To Make Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
This foolproof recipe for making perfectly juicy boneless chicken breast in the air fryer will give you golden, flavorful chicken.
Ingredients
- kosher salt* (see notes)
- 4 boneless 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
Directions
- 1
Pound the thicker end of the chicken to make both sides leveled out so they cook evenly.
- 2
Fill a large bowl with 6 cups of lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt, stir to dissolve.
- 3
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.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
Preheat the oven to 350F. Heat an oven safe or cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is very hot.