Go Back

air fryer chicken breast

High-protein air fryer chicken breast that’s brined for extra juiciness—easy, healthy, and ideal for weekly meal prep or quick dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 0.25 cup kosher salt for brine (Diamond Crystal recommended, see notes for table salt conversion)
  • 4 count boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 6 ounces each
  • 0.75 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.75 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 0.75 teaspoon salt for seasoning (in addition to brine)
  • olive oil spray

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook uniformly.
  2. Prepare the brine by dissolving 0.25 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt in 6 cups of lukewarm water in a large bowl.
  3. Submerge the chicken breasts in the brine solution and refrigerate for 1 to 1.5 hours. After brining, remove the chicken, pat thoroughly dry with paper towels, and discard the brine.
  4. In a small bowl, combine 0.75 teaspoon salt, 0.75 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.75 teaspoon onion powder, 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley, 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Lightly spritz the chicken with olive oil spray, then rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides.
  5. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes per side, for a total of 10 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (73.9°C).

Notes

Salt Note: If using table salt instead of Diamond Crystal kosher salt for the brine, use approximately half the amount (about 0.125 cup) as table salt is more concentrated.
Cooking Note: For larger chicken breasts, cooking time may need to be adjusted; always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (73.9°C) for food safety. The Oven Method outlined in the original recipe (preheat oven to 350°F, sear 1 min per side in hot skillet, then bake 8-10 mins) can also be used for a pan-seared and oven-finished option.