This easy recipe for air fryer chicken calls for every day spices, and it can be made with chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders. The chicken is incredibly juicy and flavorful!
Not only does this recipe produce some of the most delicious chicken ever, but because the chicken doesn’t need to be brined or marinated, it can be made quickly with no advance planning.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken
I love this recipe because you can have fantastic juicy, cooked chicken in less than 30 minutes (even if you didn’t plan ahead of time!).
To make this air fryer chicken:
- Mix together the seasonings and olive oil.
- Rub the mixture over all sides of the chicken.
- Preheat air fryer for five minutes.
- Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F.
- Let the chicken rest for 4 to 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
The air fryer circulates the air during cooking creating the most delicious seasoning crust on the outside of the chicken. It is outrageously flavorful and yummy! And the chicken is ultra-juicy and moist. SO GOOD.
Ingredients Notes
- Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil.
- Salt: I use coarse, kosher salt. If using table salt, reduce the amount to 3/4 to 1 teaspoon.
- Garlic: You can use fresh garlic, finely minced, or you can use garlic powder. I often use the cubes of frozen garlic (from Trader Joe’s).
- Paprika: Sweet or smoked paprika can be used (highly recommend smoked paprika for elevated flavor!).
- Onion Powder: This is sometimes labeled as “granulated onion powder.”
- Dried Oregano: Turkish or Mexican dried oregano will work fine.
- Dried Basil: If the dried basil is in large, leafy pieces, lightly crumble it between your fingers before using.
- Black Pepper: I use coarsely ground black pepper. If using finely ground black pepper, reduce the amount to 1/8 teaspoon.
- Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs or tenders. The recipe gives cooking time recommendations for the different cuts of chicken.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken
Serve this chicken with any number of sides, like cheesy smashed potatoes, rice pilaf, au gratin potatoes, pasta salads and more.
The leftovers are delicious added to recipes that call for cooked or grilled chicken:
- Crispy Chicken Enchilada Wraps
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Quick Fajita Nachos
- Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Chicken Salad
- Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
I’ve been making this chicken nonstop because it is so easy, bonkers good, and everyone in my family raves about it. Serve it a million different ways for a super versatile meal!
It has become a go-to recipe for us, and it definitely makes keeping an air fryer around worth it!
Perfect Air Fryer Chicken
Servings 6 to 6 servings
Calories 174kcal
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Bamboo Cutting Board
- Wire Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ¼ teaspoons coarse salt (or 3/4 to 1 teaspoon table salt)
- 2 medium cloves garlic, finely minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken (breasts, thighs or tenders)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, basil, and black pepper.
- Rub the mixture over all sides of the chicken. Set aside while preheating the air fryer.
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F. for five minutes.
- Add the chicken in a single layer to the air fryer basket (cook in separate batches, if needed).
- Cook thick chicken breasts for 13 to 15 minutes, chicken thighs for 16 to 17 minutes, and chicken tenders or thin-cut chicken for 10 to 12 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the chicken should register 165 degrees F.
- Let the chicken rest for 4 to 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Cooking Options: If you don’t have an air fryer, the chicken can be baked on a greased and foil-lined baking sheet in a 375 degree F. oven. Follow the cooking times in the recipe and watch closely to add time (or take out of the oven early), if needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (4 ounces) | Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 617mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
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