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Air Fryer Chicken Breast (Juicy & Easy)

Tender, juicy chicken breast made in the air fryer—high-protein, healthy, and packed with flavor! This recipe features a simple brine for extra juiciness, making it perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 count small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
For the Brine
  • 6 cup lukewarm water
  • 0.25 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt If using table salt, use about half the amount.
For Seasoning
  • 1 serving olive oil spray for spritzing
  • 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 optional, to taste, for seasoning after brining

Method
 

Preparation & Brining Steps
  1. Pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts to make both sides leveled out. This ensures they cook evenly.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 6 cups of lukewarm water with 0.25 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved.
  3. Add the chicken breasts to the brine solution. Refrigerate for 1 to 1.5 hours. After brining, remove the chicken, pat dry thoroughly with paper towels, and discard the brining water.
Air Fryer Cooking Steps
  1. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and the optional 0.75 teaspoon salt. Lightly spritz the chicken breasts with olive oil spray, then rub the spice mix evenly over all sides of the chicken.
  2. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes per side, for a total of 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is browned and cooked through.

Notes

Brining is highly recommended for juicy and flavorful chicken breasts, but it is optional. If you use Morton's kosher salt instead of Diamond Crystal, reduce the amount by about half for the brine, as it's more concentrated. For larger chicken breasts (over 6 ounces), you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, adding 1-2 minutes per side, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).