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Close-up of a perfectly cooked 12-ingredient air fryer chicken breast, seasoned and garnished with parsley and a lemon wedge.

12-Ingredient Air Fryer Chicken

This recipe provides a simple and quick way to prepare flavorful chicken breasts using your air fryer. It requires minimal ingredients and fuss, making it ideal for a weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Resting Time 7 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes
Servings: 2 chicken breasts
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 Tbsp avocado oil olive or vegetable oil can be substituted
  • 3 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 lemon zest from one lemon
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika regular paprika can be substituted
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2-3 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed of any excess fat, 8 oz each
Garnishes
  • lemon zest
  • lemon wedges to add a squirt of lemon juice
  • minced fresh parsley

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • Aluminum foil
  • Internal thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the avocado oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried parsley, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic. Whisk until well combined.
  3. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and turn to coat them in the marinade. Let the chicken sit in the marinade while the air fryer finishes preheating.
  4. Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring there is space between each piece for air circulation.
  5. Cook for 10 minutes. Then, open the basket and turn the chicken over. Continue air frying for another 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
  6. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and place it on a plate. Tent some aluminum foil over the top and let it rest for 5-7 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to finish cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  7. Serve the chicken garnished with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge. Squeeze the lemon wedge over the chicken for added flavor.

Notes

Using an internal thermometer is recommended to ensure the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature. The resting period is crucial for juicy chicken.

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