Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Breasts recipe offers a flavorful and juicy way to prepare boneless, skinless chicken breasts using a vibrant herb and lemon marinade. The chicken is marinated for up to two hours, then quickly cooked in the air fryer to achieve a tender and perfectly cooked meal with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, minced or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, minced and lightly packed or 4 teaspoons dried parsley
- ¼ cup fresh basil, minced and lightly packed or 4 teaspoons dried basil
Chicken
- 4 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and basil until well combined to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken breasts into a large container or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. Seal the container or bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours to allow flavors to infuse.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature, which helps ensure even cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) for 5 minutes to prepare it for cooking the chicken breasts.
- Prepare Chicken for Cooking: Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, spacing them apart so they cook evenly. Lightly spray each breast with olive oil cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking.
- Air Fry First Side: Cook the chicken in the preheated air fryer for 10 minutes, allowing the first side to cook and develop a golden exterior.
- Flip and Air Fry Second Side: Remove the basket, flip the chicken breasts over, spray again lightly with olive oil, and cook for an additional 6 to 8 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) using an instant-read thermometer for safe consumption.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring moist and tender results.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor; marinating longer up to 2 hours is ideal for deeper taste.
- Checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken without drying out.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps retain moisture and juiciness.
- You can substitute dried herbs if fresh are not available, but fresh herbs provide the best flavor.
- Olive oil spray helps to crisp the surface without adding excess fat.
