Bone-In Chicken Breasts are really easy in the air fryer and come out extra tender and juicy!
Chicken breast is a favorite dinner and for good reason. This meal is easy and incredibly juicy with delicious crispy skin.
Juicy Bone-In Chicken Breast
- Almost zero prep time, simply season and air fry. No marinade is needed!
- Cooks up quickly, and turns out super tender and juicy.
- The air fryer is quicker than the oven, especially when it comes to making perfectly tender chicken.
- Skin comes out extra crispy and flavorful.
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Ingredients
CHICKEN: Split chicken breasts are bone-in chicken breasts and are usually sold with skin. You can use any bone in chicken in this recipe including thighs or drumsticks. Frozen breasts should be thawed before cooking.
SEASONING: We love Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning because it has less salt and more flavor than store bought. Any chicken seasoning will work just fine in this recipe. For a different flavor, try this recipe with Blackened Seasoning or Greek Seasoning.
How to Air Fry Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Power up the air fryer, it’s super easy to make this recipe:
- Rub chicken with oil.
- Evenly sprinkle chicken with seasonings.
- Air fry (per recipe below).
Let the chicken rest a few minutes before serving.
No Air Fryer? No Problem!
You can also make split chicken breasts in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F and prepare the chicken as directed in the recipe below. Bake on a rimmed baking sheet for 40-50 minutes until juices run clear. (A meat thermometer should read 165°F)
How to Make Extra Juicy Air Fryer Chicken
- Chicken breasts can vary in size so use a meat thermometer to ensure it doesn’t overcook. (Be sure to check it early).
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, I usually take it out a few degrees before as it will continue to cook once you remove it from the oven.
- Always allow chicken (and other meats) to rest before serving. This helps to redistribute the juices and makes for a juicy chicken breast.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover air fryer chicken breast in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. Cooked chicken will freeze indefinitely, but will taste better the sooner it is used up. Try adding it to Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole or add it to a Cobb Salad. There is no shortage of recipes that use cooked chicken.
Amazing Air Fryer Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – 3 simple ingredients
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan – a quick weeknight meal
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – coated in our favorite sauce
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – perfect for dipping
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken – with crispy-crunchy skin
Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 split chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
-
Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
-
Rub chicken with oil and evenly coat with the seasonings.
-
Place in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-27 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F.
Notes
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can double this recipe and make 4 chicken breasts.
- Olive oil helps the skin crisp and the seasonings to stick.
- Use any seasoning you love. Premade lemon pepper is generally quite salty so I do not add extra salt to this recipe, season as needed.
- As an option, you can also add vegetables to the air fryer for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Chicken breasts can vary in size so use a meat thermometer to ensure they don't overcook. (Check it early).
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, I usually take it out a few degrees before as it will continue to cook once you remove it from the oven.
- Always allow chicken (and other meats) to rest before serving. This helps to redistribute the juices and makes for a juicy chicken breast.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
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Easy and a simply delicious air fryer recipe
I love this easy method for cooking split breasts.
It’s wonderful as written.
I also use this method to make “oven fried” chicken by dredging the meat in seasoned flour, spritz with spray oil, then cook as directed. perfect every time and doesn’t heat up the house.
Thanks for sharing, Tammie! That sounds great.
Do you flip the breasts at all?
I do not flip them in this recipe. Enjoy Jay!
This came out fantastic!!! My split chicken took a little longer in the Foodi, and I didn’t have lemon pepper so I used lemon, salt, and pepper. Seriously wonderful!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Maria!
This was my first time cooking in my Air Fryer and your in bone chicken breast recipe was bomb, thank you.
I am so glad you loved this recipe Karen!
Perfectly juicy and delicious. I did, however, brine in salt and water for about 1-1/2 hours prior to cooking. Chicken breasts are so huge these days, so my husband and I split it. Took it off at about 162 deg. F and let it rest while I steamed some veggies.
That sounds like a great idea, thanks for sharing!
My chicken breast were awesome!
That’s great to hear, thanks for sharing!