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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

This dish features chicken breasts cooked in an air fryer to achieve a juicy interior with a crispy, golden exterior. The process involves seasoning the chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then air frying until perfectly cooked and crisp. The final result is tender, flavorful chicken with a satisfying crunch, ideal for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces chicken breasts skinless, boneless
  • 1 teaspoon paprika smoked paprika for deeper flavor
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt sea salt preferred
  • ½ teaspoon pepper freshly cracked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil helps spices stick and crisp the skin

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Meat thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels until the surface feels slightly tacky; this helps the spices adhere and promotes crispiness.
  2. In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub the spice mixture evenly all over each piece, ensuring full coverage for flavor and crisping.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F), allowing it to reach temperature for about 3 minutes. This ensures an even start for cooking.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap so air can circulate freely.
  5. Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then open the air fryer and flip each piece using tongs. This promotes even browning and crispness.
  6. Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F), as measured with a meat thermometer. The exterior should be golden and crispy.
  7. Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for about 5 minutes; this helps the juices redistribute and keeps the meat tender.
  8. Slice the chicken against the grain, revealing a moist interior with a crispy, flavorful exterior that’s ready to serve.