Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breasts
This easy recipe for air fryer boneless chicken breasts produces juicy, flavorful chicken, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
For the Brine
- 1/4 cup kosher salt helps retain moisture
- Water for brine, acts as the brining medium
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts lean protein
- 2 tablespoons olive oil adds moisture
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt enhances flavor
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper adds depth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder provides savory notes
- 1 teaspoon paprika adds mild smokiness
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano offers earthy flavor
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by preparing the brine. Stir the kosher salt into room-temperature water until it dissolves completely.
- Submerge the four boneless skinless chicken breasts in the saltwater solution. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 to 2 hours.
- Once brined, remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the pounded chicken breasts with olive oil.
- Combine the garlic salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano into the bowl with the chicken and toss again until evenly coated.
Cooking
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring there’s some space between each piece.
- Cook for 8 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken over and season the other side lightly.
- Continue to air fry for an additional 8 to 9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
Ensure the chicken is thoroughly pounded to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Don’t skip the brining step and monitor the chicken’s internal temperature carefully to avoid overcooking. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.