By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 22, 2025
I’m obsessed with cooking the most juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken breast quickly and easily in my air fryer. My Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe is seasoned with brown sugar, paprika, and herbs, and is perfect for an easy family dinner that everyone will love!
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5-Star Review
“This was great! Some of the best chicken I’ve ever made.” – J Davis
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
These chicken breasts are so simple to prep, and every time I make them, they come out perfectly tender and juicy. I’m obsessed with the seasoning rub—it’s slightly sweet, super flavorful, and honestly, just to die for! The whole thing is ready in about 20 minutes, which makes it my go-to when I need a quick, foolproof dinner that satisfies everyone at the table.
No matter how I serve them—sliced over salads, in sandwiches, or with a side of veggies—these juicy chicken breasts are always a hit. The seasoning mix is so good, I usually make a double batch just to have extra on hand for next time!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced thin
- ▢ 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ▢ ½ tbsp ground paprika
- ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
- ▢ ½ tsp onion powder
- ▢ ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
Video
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- If the chicken breasts are thick, slice the breasts in half to create thinner pieces or place the breasts between parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound them thin. 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. 2 tbsp brown sugar, ½ tbsp ground paprika, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- Rub each chicken breast with olive oil and seasoning to evenly coat. 2 tbsp olive oil
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
- Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer, slice, and serve.
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Becky’s Tips
- For best results, use thin chicken breasts .
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute so that it’s extra flavorful and juicy.
- Chicken breasts are cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. They should be a uniform white color when sliced open.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Step by Step
Prep the chicken : Preheat air fryer to 370°F. If the chicken breasts are thick, slice the breasts in half to create thinner pieces or place the breasts between parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound them thin.
Prepare seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
Coat the chicken : Rub each chicken breast with olive oil and seasoning to evenly coat. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
Cook chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
Slice and serve : Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer, slice, and serve. Enjoy!
Variations
While I personally love this seasoning blend, you can change it up to better suit whatever sides you’re planning on serving with this chicken.
- Try a simple chicken seasoning
- For more robust flavoring, try a Creole seasoning or blackened seasoning
- An everyday seasoning like creamy ranch seasoning or savory chili seasoning are also delicious
- Use a Mexican-inspired flavor like fajita seasoning or taco seasoning
How to Store
Store leftover air fryer chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 365°F air fryer for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Freeze chicken breasts in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These seasoned chicken breasts are great to serve as a main meal with your favorite sides, or sliced on top of a fresh salad . You can use up any leftover summer zucchini and make crispy zucchini fries , or grab a few sweet potatoes at the grocery store and make a batch of garlic parmesan sweet potato fries . I also enjoy making asparagus almondine or air fryer ranch broccoli .
more chicken breast recipes we love
Grilled Chicken Breast
Crockpot Chicken Breast
Smoked Chicken Breast
Fried Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced thin
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- If the chicken breasts are thick, slice the breasts in half to create thinner pieces or place the breasts between parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound them thin. 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. 2 tbsp brown sugar, ½ tbsp ground paprika, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- Rub each chicken breast with olive oil and seasoning to evenly coat. 2 tbsp olive oil
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
- Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer, slice, and serve.
Video
Notes
- For best results, use thin chicken breasts .
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute so that it’s extra flavorful and juicy.
- Chicken breasts are cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. They should be a uniform white color when sliced open.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
