Why I love this chicken breast recipe is that it is ready in minutes and works great for daily meals. The breasts are cut into thin pieces to make sure the chicken is evenly cooked and tender. The chicken is seasoned nicely with spices, sweetened a bit by brown sugar and coated in cornstarch for that perfectly crispy result. The browned outside and the juiciness of the inside are special features when the chicken is prepared in an air fryer. Busy night? No problem. This recipe has your back.
why you’ll love this recipe
- Perfect for Busy Days: Quick prep and cook time with no complicated steps.
- No Long Marinating Needed: Great flavor with minimal waiting.
- Healthier Option: Air fryer means less oil and fewer calories.
- Easy Cleanup: Less mess compared to traditional frying.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Cooks fast and stays juicy, perfect for lunches or dinners.
- Tastes Gourmet: Big flavor with little effort!
What Makes It Ridiculously Good?
The secret is in the mix of spices and the method used to cook the food. Mixing paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and a little salt gives the dish a tasty and savory taste. The right amount of sweetness is provided by the brown sugar and the cornstarch helps make the top layer crispy so the juices do not escape. When the chicken is cooked at the right temperature for the proper time, it remains tender and juicy. When you slice the meat very thinly, the seasonings can reach every part and cook the meat evenly in no time.
The right mix of spices and the ideal cooking time make the meat tender.
How To Make This Air Fryer Chicken
This is my favorite everyday air fryer chicken breast! Thinly sliced chicken pieces are generously coated in a flavorful spice blend, a touch of brown sugar, and cornstarch, then air fried until perfectly golden and juicy.
INGREDIENTS (serve for 4 people)
The Spices
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt (Morton table salt recommended)
- 3 teaspoons (1 tablespoon) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
The Chicken
- 4 teaspoons (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon) avocado oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
INSTRUCTIONS
Step1: Chicken preparation: Cut the chicken breast into thin and flat bits, not into small bites. For instance: if I get 2 chicken breasts from a one-pound pack, I often cut those into several thin slices. Picking lean chicken is very important. And delicious! Pat off the water from the chicken breasts when they look wet.
Step2: Mix the spices in a bowl; after mixing, use the bowl to sprinkle it over your chicken. Toss the vegetables in the oil by either using your hands or tongs. Ensure that you fully brush the oil over the chicken. If you like, give it a little break, but I always prefer to cook it up immediately after going round in the air fryer and its flavor is still excellent this way.
Step3: Air fry: Heat the air fryer before you begin. Place the chicken on the air fryer’s mesh / grill so it is nicely arranged and some space is left open. Make the air fryer hot at 415 degrees and cook the chicken for 10 minutes. If your chicken pieces are very big, cook them for 13 minutes. You should make sure the meat is at 165 degrees on the internal thermometer.
Step4: You’re done! Yum! It should be appealing to any person who is hungry. The exterior of these fish is crunchy and the inside is both tasty and juicy. After a little time, slice the meat and serve yourself a piece. Sometimes, we eat up to half of the cooked food while it’s still hot and right over where we chopped it. At the moment, I dunk the chicken in this house-made spicy dipping sauce which is in the recipe notes.
NOTE
- It’s best to add ¾ tsp salt per pound of chicken (or 1 tsp for kosher salt) for the right seasoning.
- To marinate chicken, do it for up to 24 hours and add the cornstarch only when you are about to cook it.
- A mix of different paprikas gives the dish great flavor without being too smoky.
- Seasoning Shortcut: Swap spices with 1 tbsp of rotisserie seasoning plus brown sugar and cornstarch for quick flavor.
- Dipping Sauce: Pair with a creamy gochujang mayo sauce for a bold, tangy finish.
Nutritional Value per Serving
Calories: ~314 kcal
Protein: ~45.4g
Fat: ~10.2g
Saturated Fat: ~1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: ~8.7g
Carbohydrates: ~6.3g
Sugars: ~2.5g
Fiber: ~0.5g
Cholesterol: ~130mg
Sodium: ~950mg
Iron: ~1.3mg
Potassium: ~620mg
Nutritional Highlights
- Low in carbs, making it flawless for keto and low-carb diets.
- Provides potassium and iron, for good health.
- Air-fried with avocado oil, adding heart-healthy fats.
- Uses less oil overall, making it a lighter and healthier choice.