This Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast is tender, super juicy, and flavorful. It is perfectly seasoned with tasty spices and can be ready in less than 20 minutes!
This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a healthy meal prep option. This recipe showcases how air frying can create juicy, flavorful chicken with a fraction of the oil used in traditional cooking methods.
If there’s one recipe every keto enthusiast needs in their weeknight arsenal, it’s this juicy, flavorful air fryer chicken breast. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling mealtime, or simply someone who loves quick and delicious keto-friendly meals, this recipe is about to become your go-to.
Why You Need This Recipe
Let’s face it—weeknights can be hectic, and staying on track with a keto lifestyle isn’t always easy. That’s where this recipe comes in. With the air fryer doing most of the work, you can have perfectly cooked chicken breasts on your plate in under 20 minutes. No marinating required, no endless list of ingredients, and no compromise on flavor. It’s simple, foolproof, and absolutely delicious.
This isn’t just another chicken recipe—it’s the answer to dry, bland chicken breast woes. Thanks to the air fryer, your chicken stays juicy on the inside and develops a golden, lightly crisp exterior. It’s the perfect balance of convenience and culinary excellence.
Ingredients to make Keto Airfryer Chicken Breast
Brine Chicken:
• 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups Water
• 1/4 cup Sea salt
Seasoning:
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
How to make Keto Airfryer Chicken Breast
1. Optional (but recommended) step: To brine the chicken breasts, stir the salt into the water in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts, submerging them. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature, or for up to a day in the refrigerator.
2. Rinse the brine from the chicken, then pat dry. (It’s best to pat the chicken dry even if you didn’t brine it.)
3. Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper.
4. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (I have and love this air fryer for its roomy basket!), with the pieces not touching each other or at most barely touching. (If your chicken breasts are too large to fit, air fry them in batches. Don’t crowd the basket.)
5. Air fry chicken breasts at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), until the internal temperature reaches 163-165 degrees F (73-74 degrees C). (Internal temperature will rise another few degrees while resting in the next step, and should reach at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).) As a guideline, air fry 7-10 minutes for small chicken breasts (5-7 oz), 10-12 minutes for medium (8-10 oz), or 12-16 minutes for large (11-12 oz).
6. Remove the air fryer basket with the chicken from the air fryer and cover it with foil. Rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing.
Recipe Tips for the Best Airfryer Chicken Breast
Pound for Perfection: For even cooking, consider pounding your chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning. This ensures the edges don’t dry out while the center cooks.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like an oven, preheating the air fryer helps create a quick sear on the outside of the chicken, locking in those juices.
Season Boldly: Don’t hold back on the seasoning. Chicken breast is like a blank canvas—herbs, spices, and keto-friendly rubs bring it to life.
Flip for Even Cooking: About halfway through cooking, flip the chicken breast for uniform browning.
Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after it’s cooked. This allows the juices to be redistributed, keeping the meat tender and moist.
Serving Ideas: Keep It Keto
This air fryer chicken breast is as versatile as it is delicious. Here are a few keto-friendly serving ideas to elevate your meal:
– Salads: Slice it thin and serve over a bed of leafy greens, topped with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil or keto ranch dressing.
– Cauliflower Rice Bowl: Pair it with seasoned cauliflower rice, steamed broccoli, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a hearty and satisfying dinner.
– Zucchini Noodles: Top your favorite zoodles with sliced chicken breast, a dollop of keto Alfredo sauce, and fresh parsley.
– Low-Carb Wrap: Use lettuce leaves or keto tortillas to create a wrap with chicken, mayo, and your favorite keto veggies.
Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or whipping up a quick dinner after a long day, this air fryer keto chicken breast is a game-changer. Its simplicity, flavor, and versatility make it a recipe you’ll want to return to again and again.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Passive Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
people
|
- 4 chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup Sea Salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Ingredients
Brine
Seasoning
|
|
- To brine the chicken breasts, stir the salt into the water in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts, submerging them. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature, or for up to a day in the refrigerator.
- Rinse the brine from the chicken, then pat dry. (It's best to pat the chicken dry even if you didn't brine it.)
- Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (I have and love this air fryer for its roomy basket!), with the pieces not touching each other or at most barely touching. (If your chicken breasts are too large to fit, air fry them in batches. Don't crowd the basket.)
- Air fry chicken breasts at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), until the internal temperature reaches 163-165 degrees F (73-74 degrees C). (Internal temperature will rise another few degrees while resting in the next step, and should reach at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).) As a guideline, air fry 7-10 minutes for small chicken breasts (5-7 oz), 10-12 minutes for medium (8-10 oz), or 12-16 minutes for large (11-12 oz).
- Remove the air fryer basket with the chicken from the air fryer and cover it with foil. Rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing.
