Experience tender, juicy chicken infused with zesty lemon, garlic, and olive oil, enhanced by salt, paprika, Italian herbs, and a hint of red pepper. Air-fried to perfection without breading, every bite bursts with vibrant Mediterranean flavor and simplicity. Enjoy a healthy, flavorful twist on a classic dish. A true delight.
I always look for recipes that are simple but pack a punch and this Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Breast totally delivers. I marinate 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts with just a couple of tablespoons olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning.
I might even add a pinch of red pepper flakes if im in the mood for something spicy. It cooks in the air fryer until tender and juicy, and there is not even any breading to worry about.
Ive found it is a great option when im looking for a quick little lunch or an air fryer dinner that’s both healthy and easy. It kinda reminds me of those Chicken Breasts In Air Fryer recipes ive seen online that are just killer.
Give it a try and enjoy!
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s super easy to make—when I’m short on time, I can whisk together the marinade and have a tasty meal ready in no time. I like that the chicken always comes out tender and juicy, even if I don’t marinate it as long as I should sometimes. I appreciate that it uses simple ingredients like lemon juice, garlic and spices to pack a lot of flavor without needing a messy breading. Lastly, the little kick from the red pepper flakes makes it exciting and keeps my taste buds coming back for more.
This airfryer chicken is the ultimate go-to for me. The chicken breasts are cooked so perfectly that they retain all their juices and flavor. I love that its just a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and seasonings which makes the process feel pretty laid-back and fun. Its not overly complicated, and even when I mess up a few steps, it still turns out really good. Overall, its just a simple, delicious meal that fits perfectly into my busy schedule.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts have a solid amount of lean protein that builds muscle and keeps you energized.
- Olive oil adds tasty healthy fats, making the chicken moist and super flavorful.
- Lemon juice brings a tangy, bright zing, plus it gives ya a dose of vitamin C.
- Garlic is full of flavor and kinda acts like nature’s little health booster too.
- Spices like paprika, salt, and pepper really amp up the taste with a subtle kick.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon (approximately 2 to 3 tablespoons)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Optional pinch of red pepper flakes (if you like a little kick)
How to Make this
1. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F so it’s ready when you are
2. In a bowl, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil, about 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want extra heat
3. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel so the marinade sticks better
4. Place the chicken in the bowl and coat them evenly with the marinade
5. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if you have the time
6. Spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking
7. Put the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer so they cook evenly
8. Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then flip them over for even cooking
9. Continue to cook for another 8 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part
10. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving, then enjoy your tasty air fryer chicken breast!
Equipment Needed
1. Air fryer
2. Mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Paper towels
5. Parchment paper or oil spray
6. Tongs or a spatula for flipping
7. Meat thermometer
8. Cutting board and knife for slicing
9. Timer for keeping track of cook times
FAQ
Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Olive oil: You can use avocado oil or even a light vegetable oil if thats what you have
- Lemon juice: Try lime juice or a splash of white wine vinegar as an alternative
- Garlic cloves: If you’re short on fresh garlic, about 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder per clove works well
- Dried Italian seasoning: Mix equal parts dried oregano and basil if you dont have italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes: If you need a little kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper will do the trick too
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you preheat your air fryer completely before adding the chicken so that it cooks evenly. I’ve noticed that if your fryer isn’t hot enough it can lead to unevenly cooked meat and dry spots.
2. When marinating, try letting the chicken sit longer if you have time. Even a half-hour really helps the flavors seep in; if you can leave it longer the taste really pops.
3. Keep the chicken from touching each other in the basket, otherwise they might steam instead of getting that crisp outside. It ain’t hard to give them a bit of room.
4. Always use a meat thermometer if you got one around; even if the suggested cook time is followed, making sure the temperature hits 165°F is the foolproof way to avoid undercooked meat.
Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Experience tender, juicy chicken infused with zesty lemon, garlic, and olive oil, enhanced by salt, paprika, Italian herbs, and a hint of red pepper. Air-fried to perfection without breading, every bite bursts with vibrant Mediterranean flavor and simplicity. Enjoy a healthy, flavorful twist on a classic dish. A true delight.
2
servings
500
kcal
Equipment: 1. Air fryer
2. Mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Paper towels
5. Parchment paper or oil spray
6. Tongs or a spatula for flipping
7. Meat thermometer
8. Cutting board and knife for slicing
9. Timer for keeping track of cook times
Ingredients
-
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
-
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
-
Juice of 1 lemon (approximately 2 to 3 tablespoons)
-
3 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-
1/2 teaspoon paprika
-
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
-
Optional pinch of red pepper flakes (if you like a little kick)
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F so it's ready when you are
- In a bowl, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil, about 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want extra heat
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel so the marinade sticks better
- Place the chicken in the bowl and coat them evenly with the marinade
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if you have the time
- Spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking
- Put the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer so they cook evenly
- Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then flip them over for even cooking
- Continue to cook for another 8 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving, then enjoy your tasty air fryer chicken breast!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 226g
- Total number of serves: 2
- Calories: 500kcal
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
- Monounsaturated: 10g
- Cholesterol: 192mg
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Potassium: 680mg
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 70g
- Vitamin A: 40IU
- Vitamin C: 8mg
- Calcium: 12mg
- Iron: 2mg
