🍗 Juicy Air-Fryer Chicken

Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside, with a simple garlic-paprika seasoning. This recipe works especially well with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

Serves: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 12–18 minutes
Total: ~25 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika, optional
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. If using chicken breasts, pound the thicker portions gently so the pieces are an even thickness.
2. Season: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Rub the mixture thoroughly over the chicken.
3. Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 190°C / 375°F for 3–5 minutes.
4. Air-fry: Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd it.
   • Chicken breasts: 12–16 minutes
   • Chicken thighs: 14–18 minutes
   Flip halfway through cooking.
5. Check doneness: Chicken is safely cooked when the thickest part reaches 74°C / 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
6. Rest: Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This keeps the chicken juicy.