Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breasts

These all purpose Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breasts are incredibly easy to make and work perfectly for all kinds of meals because they are juicy and flavorful. Make a batch and use for salads, casseroles, sandwiches, tacos etc.

Not only do these chicken breasts taste amazing served next to side dishes such as Italian Potato Salad, Creamy Mac and Cheese or Tabouli Salad, they are wonderful incorporated into recipes also. I absolutely love this chicken chopped and added to the seasonal garden salads of Strawberry Walnut Salad, Apple Pecan Salad and Rocket Pear Salad. Additionally, this chicken is very tasty added to my Simple Creamy Farfalle Pasta and Springtime Pasta Salad. 

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Chicken Breast in Ninja Foodi Air Fryer

Delicious chicken breasts can be cooked in all kinds of different Air Fryers. However, the Ninja Foodi Pro with Smart Probe makes the job of air frying so much easier.

There is no need for an additional meat thermometer because the smart probe does the job of a meat thermometer. Additionally, there is no need to worry about cooking time with a Ninja Foodie Pro. This is because you cook the chicken based on temperature. 

Top Secrets to Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Dry the Chicken, Coat With Oil and a Simple Homemade Chicken Seasoning {Secret #1}

Using paper towels, dry the chicken breasts and then coat with oil. Removing the moisture from the surface of the chicken breasts will allow the oil to stick to the breast. The oil then helps to lock in the moisture on the inside of the chicken and helps the seasoning to stick.  Additionally, the seasoning adds an immense amount of flavor. 

Best Temperature to Cook Chicken in Air Fryer {Secret #2}

By far the most important secret, cooking boneless skinless chicken breasts at 350℉ will create tender and juicy chicken meat without having to do the extra steps of brining or pounding. Unless you have had a really rough day and need to take out some aggression, nobody wants to beat chicken with a meat tenderizer. 

Note: There are times when cooking chicken at a higher temperature is important, such as to crisp chicken skin. However, these chicken breasts are meant for other dishes such as salads, wraps, casseroles, etc.

Chicken Temperature {Secret #3}

Dried and overcooked chicken breast meat is the absolute worst. The solution is cooking the chicken to a temperature of 155-160℉. Once it reaches that temperature, turn off the Air Fryer and let the chicken sit resting with the lid closed for 5 minutes. Doing this will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Additionally, the internal temperature will reach 165℉ in that resting period. 

Note: Many recipes have you transfer the chicken to a separate dish and cover with aluminum foil while it rests. My approach saves dirtying another dish and the aluminum foil.

Best Oil To Use In Air Fryer

Many air fryers come with a warning not to use olive oil. This is because olive oil is not a high heat oil and cooking with an air fryer is often done with high heat. Because of this I normally recommend to use Avocado Oil. However, since this recipe uses a temperature of 350℉ it is perfectly fine to use olive oil for these chicken breasts. 

Ingredients Needed

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts– About 1- 1 1/2 pounds. Additionally, there is no need to pound the breasts like so many other air fryer chicken breasts recipes call for. 
• Oil– Coating the chicken breasts with a small amount of oil helps to lock in moisture and helps the seasoning to stick. 
• Simple Homemade Chicken Seasoning– This super quick and easy seasoning blend is composed of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and a very small amount of either chipotle powder, chili powder or cayenne pepper (optional). It is all purpose, or in other words works great with all kinds of dishes. 

How To Make All Purpose Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breasts

These chicken breasts are all purpose because they can be used for so many different types of dishes such as wraps, tacos, sandwiches, hot pasta dishes, cold pasta salads or simply served next to delicious side dishes. To make juicy and flavorful chicken that works for so many different recipes, following these simple steps.

1. In a small bowl mix together the simple chicken rub.
2. Remove chicken breasts from packaging and dry with paper towels.
3. Drizzle and then rub half of the oil on the first side of the breasts. Sprinkle half of the chicken rub over the oil rubbed side. 
4. Flip the breasts and repeat with the remaining oil and rub.
5. Insert the smart probe horizontally into the thickest side of one of the breasts.
6. Preheat the air fryer to 350℉ using both the bake setting and the temperature smart probe setting. 
7. Once Air Fryer reaches temperature add chicken breasts making sure to leave space around each breast.
8. Flip the breasts when the internal temperature reaches approximately 100℉.
9. Finish cooking until the internal temperature reaches 155-160℉. At this point turn off the air fryer and let the chicken rest with the lid closed for 5 minutes. Note: This will allow the chicken to reach 165℉ while also letting the chicken rest. Additionally, there is no need to dirty another dish while the chicken rests. 
10. Once the 5 minutes have passed, remove breasts from air fryer and enjoy. 

Oven Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. In a small bowl mix together the simple chicken rub.
3. Remove chicken breasts from packaging and dry with paper towels.
4. Drizzle and then rub half of the oil on the first side of the breasts. Sprinkle half of the chicken rub over the oil rubbed side. 
5. Flip the breasts and repeat with the remaining oil and rub.
6. Insert an oven safe meat thermometer into the thickest side of one of the chicken breasts. Note: You can either use an Old Fashioned Meat thermometer or Digital Meat Thermometer. However, it is important to not use the preset temperature suggestions if using the digital thermometer. The suggested temperatures will cause dried out and over cooked meat. 
7. Add the breasts to a roasting pan and bake uncovered until breasts reach an internal temperature of 155-160℉. 
8. Remove pan from oven. Cover with a sheet of aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. 

Note: When cooking in the oven there is no need to flip the breasts halfway through cooking. Also, total cooking time in both the oven and air fryer will take approximately 25-30 minutes. 

Reheating Chicken Breasts in Air Fryer

To reheat these All Purpose Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breasts preheat the air fryer to 350℉. Add chicken once air fryer reaches temperature and cook for 5-8 minutes, turning halfway through the reheating process. 

Commonly Asked Questions

Can olive oil be used in an air fryer?

When cooking at higher temperatures it is not advised to use olive oil. However, when cooking at 350℉ or lower olive oil is fine to use. For this recipe either olive oil or a high heat oil may be used. 

Do chicken breasts need to be marinated before cooking in an air fryer?

Marinating the chicken is not needed to create juicy and flavorful chicken in the air fryer. However, doing so can impart even more flavor into the chicken. 

What is the best way to store cooked air fryer chicken breasts?

Refrigerator Storage– Store the cooked chicken breasts in an air tight glass container for up to 3 days. Note: If storing in a plastic bag or plastic container it is best to let the chicken breasts cool to about room temperature before storing. This is because heat and plastic are not a good combination. 

Freezer Storage– When freezing cooked chicken breasts it is best to wrap each breast in parchment paper and then place into a freezer storage bag. Wrapping in parchment will prevent the chicken from sticking together. Here are a few additional tips about freezing cooked chicken breasts.

• Before freezing remove as much air as possible from the bag. 
• To defrost simply place in the refrigerator a day before needed. (If short on time use the cold water bath method to quickly defrost chicken.)

Why is this Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breasts recipe based on temperature and not time?

The best way to ensure that the chicken breast meat turns out tender and juicy is to cook at the lower temperature of 350℉ and to cook the chicken based on the internal temperature rather than time. I highly recommend using an air fryer that has a thermometer attachment. However, I adore my Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer because it is so easy to use with the thermometer attachment. 

How should I clean my hands after handling raw chicken? 

Use as warm of water as you can handle, lather your hands with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds making sure to scrub under the finger nails. Rinse your hands well. I personally do an additional step of splashing my hands with hydrogen peroxide and scrubbing for an additional 20 seconds before rinsing. 

What is the difference between an Air Fryer and a Convection Oven?

In short, air fryers are smaller versions of a convection oven. However, they take up less room and have extra bonus features such as the temperature smart probe. I have both and adore each for different reasons. 

What do the different cooking functions on the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer do?

• Grill Function– Creates meat similar to grilling on a barbecue grill. In other words, a bolder more charbroiled flavor. This function is perfect for Grilled Steaks and BBQ Chicken. 
• Air Crisp Function– Gives food a crispy crunch. This function is perfect for making homemade fries or fried chicken.
• Roast Function– Great for making Roasted Potatoes, veggies or a whole chicken.
• Bake Function– Perfect for cakes, pies and these All Purpose Boneless Chicken Breasts. Note: These chicken breasts can be successfully cooked on either the roast or bake setting with similar results. Grilling may also be used, however the results will be more like cooking on the barbecue grill.