Description
Quick, golden, and irresistibly juicy chicken breasts seasoned with pantry staples and cooked to perfection in the air fryer—minimal effort, maximum flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2–4 pieces, uniform thickness)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or thyme blend)
- Optional: 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley or basil for garnish, grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Prep: Pat chicken dry; pound to even ¾” thickness if needed. Preheat air fryer to 375 °F for 3 minutes.
- Season: Rub each breast with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian herbs; sprinkle evenly over both sides.
- Cook: Place breasts in a single layer in the basket. Air fry at 375 °F for 9–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 °F.
- Rest: Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Finish & Serve: Drizzle with lemon juice if using, garnish with parsley or Parmesan, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For chicken thighs: increase cook time by 1–2 minutes and check doneness.
- Short marinade (30 min) of lemon, oil, and herbs adds extra depth.
- Don’t overcrowd—cook in batches for even crisping.
- To reheat: air fry at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes or microwave at 50% power.
- Make-ahead: refrigerate up to 4 days, or freeze (3 months) in airtight bags.
