This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This Air Fryer Grilled Chicken delivers that classic grilled-style flavor with a simple dry rub and hot circulating air that creates a beautifully browned exterior and juicy center. While it won’t have traditional grill marks, it gives you that same savory, slightly crisp outside without firing up the grill. Ready in 25 minutes and perfect for meal prep.
Looking for another easy chicken dish? These air fryer chicken fajitas are another healthy favorite!
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Grilled-style chicken with a savory dry rub, lightly crisped exterior, and a juicy, tender center. Easily customizable with different seasonings.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes + 5 minutes resting
- 🔥 Cook time: 20 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 3
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer and resealable plastic bag.
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Absolutely! Cook a batch on the weekend, portion it out, and freeze for when you need it.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Cook to temperature, not just time. Remove the chicken at 160 to 162°F and let it rest for 5 minutes so it finishes at 165°F without drying out.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Meal Prep: One of my go-to weekend prep recipes. Cook a batch and use it all week for salads, wraps, bowls, or quick dinners.
- Great for Holidays & Cookouts: Skip the grill but keep the flavor. It’s a favorite for summer gatherings like July 4th and pairs perfectly with other Memorial Day air fryer recipes.
- Endlessly Customizable: Swap the seasonings but the method stays the same. If you love cooking chicken in the air fryer, check out these air fryer chicken recipes for even more ideas.
- No Grill Required: You get grilled-style flavor with a browned exterior and juicy center — all without firing up the grill or heating up the oven.
Looking to make your favorite oven recipes in the air fryer but not sure of the time and temperature? We’ve created a conversion calculator that will do it for you! Check out our easy to use oven to air fryer conversion tool.
Table of Contents
- Quick Look At This Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Grilled Chicken in the Air Fryer
- How Long to Cook Air-Fried Grilled Chicken (By Thickness)
- Tips for Juicy Chicken
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Recipe FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- Chicken breast: I prefer to buy boneless and skinless for no prep and even cooking. If you prefer cooking thighs, try these air fryer boneless chicken thighs instead.
- Olive oil: A light coating oil helps the seasonings stick and aids in browning the chicken as well. Avocado oil works just as well.
- Seasonings: I use a basic blend of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have in your spice cabinet.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list with quantities.
Variations
Change the seasoning blend to fit your needs! Mix any of these options below with 1 tablespoon olive oil in your bag with the chicken breasts.
- Lemon Pepper: For bright, fresh flavors perfect for salads or grain bowls, combine 1 ½ teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each piece of chicken after cooking.
- BBQ: For sweet and smoky flavor with classic backyard vibes, combine 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Brush 2 to 3 tablespoons of barbecue sauce over the chicken during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking. Great paired with air-fried corn on the cob!
- Southwest: For bold, warm spices with a slight kick, combine 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and ½ teaspoon salt. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice after cooking if desired.
- Italian Herb: For savory, herb-forward flavor that pairs well with air fryer Italian sausage, pasta, and vegetables, combine 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken after cooking if desired.
- Cajun: For smoky, spicy Southern-inspired flavor, similar to my Cajun shrimp in the air fryer, combine 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning and ½ teaspoon paprika. If your Cajun seasoning does not contain salt, add ½ teaspoon salt.
How to Make Grilled Chicken in the Air Fryer
To get started, use a paper towel to pat dry the chicken breasts. Once dried, place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag. Add the olive oil and seasonings to the bag with the chicken breasts. Seal and gently toss the bag to coat the chicken evenly with the olive oil and seasonings.
- Coat the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray or parchment paper if needed. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the chicken breasts at 390° F for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time. Use a digital meat thermometer to check the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74°C. Remove and serve.
Easy Cleanup Tip: Use silicone liners in your air fryer for easy cleanup! If you don’t have one, don’t worry, it’s not mandatory.
How Long to Cook Air-Fried Grilled Chicken (By Thickness)
Chicken breasts vary a lot in size and thickness. You can use this guide to know when to start checking. Cook at 390°F and flip halfway through.
- ½ inch thick (thin cutlets): 8–10 minutes total or check this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe for more details
- ¾ inch thick: 12–15 minutes total
- 1 inch thick (average breast): 16–20 minutes total
- 1¼ to 1½ inches thick: 20–24 minutes total
For best results, remove the chicken when it reaches 160–162°F in the thickest part, and let it rest for 5 minutes. The temperature will rise to the safe internal temperature of 165°F as it rests. For the juiciest results, always cook to temperature.
Tips for Juicy Chicken
Follow these simple steps to prevent dry or rubbery chicken:
- Pat the chicken dry. Removing surface moisture helps the outside brown instead of steaming.
- Season evenly and coat with oil. A light coating of olive oil helps the seasoning stick and promotes better browning.
- Use chicken pieces of even thickness. If needed, pound thicker areas so the chicken cooks evenly from edge to center.
- Cook in a single layer. Leave space between pieces so hot air can circulate properly.
- Flip halfway through cooking. This promotes even browning and prevents overcooking on one side.
Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Recipe FAQs
Air fryer grilled chicken breasts are usually dry because they have been overcooked. Chicken breast is very lean and cooks quickly, so even a few extra minutes can cause it to lose moisture. The best way to prevent dryness is to use an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 160 to 162°F. It will continue to rise to the safe internal temperature of 165°F while resting. Letting the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing also helps keep the juices inside instead of running out onto the cutting board.
Yes, you can cook chicken breasts from frozen in the air fryer, but the texture and seasoning coverage may be slightly different. Frozen chicken requires a longer cook time and the outside may begin cooking before the center fully thaws, which can affect juiciness. For the best flavor and even cooking, it’s recommended to thaw the chicken before seasoning and air frying. If you need detailed instructions, see this guide for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts.
Store leftover chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat leftover chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Preheating your air fryer is recommended because it helps create better, more evenly browned food. Starting with a hot air fryer allows the chicken to begin cooking immediately, which improves texture and promotes a lightly crisp exterior. If you choose not to preheat, you may need to add 2 to 3 minutes to the overall cooking time. Regardless of whether you preheat, always check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F.
Cooking time depends mostly on thickness rather than weight. As a general rule, three 8-ounce chicken breasts that are about 1-inch thick will take approximately 18 to 20 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway through. Smaller or thinner breasts may cook in 14 to 18 minutes, while thicker pieces over 1 ¼ inches may require 20 to 24 minutes. The most accurate way to determine doneness is by using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. Remove the chicken at 160 to 162°F and allow it to rest for 5 minutes so it finishes at the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer grilled chicken is incredibly versatile, which makes it perfect for both weeknight dinners and meal prep.
Slice it and serve it over a fresh green salad, tuck it into wraps or sandwiches, or layer it into grain bowls with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables. It’s also delicious alongside classic sides like air fryer green beans, air-fried baked potatoes, or a simple pasta salad for an easy family dinner.
For meal prep, cook a larger batch and slice or cube the chicken once it has cooled. Store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and use it throughout the week in salads, lunch bowls, air fryer quesadillas, or quick protein-packed snacks.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breast
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary, dried
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Use a paper towel to pat dry the chicken breasts.
- Add the chicken breasts to a large resealable bag.
- Add the olive oil and seasonings to the bag with the chicken breasts. Seal and gently toss the bag to coat the chicken evenly with the olive oil and seasonings.
- Coat the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray or parchment paper if needed.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the chicken breasts at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken breasts halfway through the cooking time.
- Use a digital meat thermometer and make sure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Carefully remove and allow chicken breasts to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the outside brown instead of steam.
- Lightly coat with olive oil and season evenly so the spices adhere and develop better color.
- Use chicken breasts of similar thickness, or gently pound thicker areas for more even cooking.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket to allow proper air circulation.
- Flip halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on both sides.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
