Thin sliced chicken breast in an air fryer is one of those recipes that fits into almost any weeknight meal. Seasoned with a simple spice blend, juicy all the way through, and done in about 16 minutes. Serve it over pasta, on top of a salad, or with a side of veggies and a carb.
I use thinly sliced chicken breast for this recipe because it cooks so much faster than a full chicken breast and you still get a satisfying, full-sized piece on your plate. Season it, air fry it, and you've got a protein that works for almost any meal you're building around it.
If you prefer the oven, my baked thin chicken breast uses the exact same seasoning blend and is just as easy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Thin Chicken Breast- Precut, thinly sliced chicken breast is usually right next to the regular chicken breast at the grocery store, labeled as "thin sliced" or "chicken cutlets." If you can't find it, butterfly a regular chicken breast down the center with a sharp knife. Watch this video to see how it's done.
Seasoning- I use smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also use Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or a Mexican blend. If you prefer a non-smoky flavor, swap regular paprika in place of smoked. Dried thyme works well in place of oregano, and onion powder can sub for garlic powder.
Olive Oil- A light coating of oil keeps the chicken juicy, helps the seasoning stick, and gives the outside a nice golden color. Avocado oil and vegetable oil both work just as well if that's what you have.
Tips
Don't overcrowd the basket. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food. If the pieces are overlapping, the air can't do its job, and you'll end up with uneven cooking.
Use a meat thermometer. Thin chicken breast has a short window between done and overdone. Start checking the temperature around 7 minutes, and pull it out once the chicken reaches 165F.
Air fryer size matters. Larger, higher-wattage air fryers can run hotter and cook slightly faster. This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex. If you have a smaller or lower-wattage model, add a couple of minutes and check the temperature early.
Recipe Questions
Why is my chicken dry? Overcooking is almost always the reason. Thin chicken breast has very little margin for error. Pull it the moment it hits 165F and let it rest before slicing.
Does this have breading? No, this is just seasoned oil, no coating or breading. If you want a crispy breaded version, my air fryer chicken cutlets are the ones to make. Crispy outside, juicy inside.
How do I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out, or slice it cold over a salad straight from the fridge.
Make it a Meal!
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese - Rich, creamy, and a crowd-pleaser every single time. Slice the chicken on top and dinner is done.
- Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes - Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing the whole family will be happy about.
- Crack Green Beans - A quick, flavorful veggie side that comes together with almost no effort.
- Roasted Broccoli Potatoes - Throw these in the oven while the chicken cooks in the air fryer and dinner is basically on autopilot.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Thin Sliced Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 to 1¼ pounds thinly sliced chicken breasts about 4 to 5 (4-oz) pieces
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then coat both sides of the chicken with the seasoned oil.
- Air fry the chicken for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Kathleen Perez says
Awesome recipe, thank you!
John says
7 minutes in the Ninja Combi on air fry,
and followed all other aspects of the recipe... the entire family loved it (including EXTREMELY picky 3 year old twins). Super easy weeknight meal. Thank you!
Maria Copetas says
I made this in my ninja single basket air fryer. Cooked at 400 for 8 minutes and came out perfect!!
AJ says
I followed the instructions verbatim and the chicken came out perfectly juicy and extremely tasty after 8 minutes. Everyone in the family loved it. Not sure if people aren’t using thinly sliced chicken breast or not preheating the air fryer but mine came out prefect using our PowerXL air fryer.
BR says
I've got a PowerXL air fryer also. AJ is correct, 7-8 minutes at 400 is perfect. I pounded my 2 chicken breasts down to 1/2-3/4" thick.
Meme says
Not enough cook time.
Megan says
Some larger air fryers can cook foods slightly faster than smaller, lower-wattage air fryers. I tested this recipe again with another air fryer and adjusted the temperature and cooking time to work better with smaller air fryers.
Another problem could have been the size of your chicken or overcrowding of the air fryer. I updated the recipe with tips for both of those.
Julee Ellison says
I’m not sure if my breasts were thicker than yours, but I’m at about 8 minutes in the air fryer and they are still not up to temp. I’m thinking the oven should be set at a higher temp. 🤷🏼♀️
Megan says
Hi Julee, This recipe is for 4oz chicken breast. If your pieces are larger, they will take more time. It could also be your air fryer. Some larger air fryers can cook foods slightly faster than smaller, lower-wattage air fryers. I tested this recipe again with another air fryer and adjusted the temperature and cooking time to work better with smaller air fryers.
joanne says
I used thin chicken breast and actually the best thing to do is add a little extra time but a must is to flip them half way through