Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Breast

There is no better way to cook chicken breasts than in the Air Fryer! This Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Breast recipe is quick and easy and creates juicy tender chicken every time.

The marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs gives these air fryer chicken breasts a wonderful herbal flavor with a zesty bite from the lemon while tenderizing at the same time. It is one healthy, delicious, and satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup required, perfect for busy weeknights.

FYI - This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All links are products I use when making my recipes.

Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Say goodbye to blah chicken! One of the benefits of air fryer chicken recipes is their ability to deliver fantastic flavor with little oil compared to traditional frying methods. And the air fryer's convection heating system results in crispy exteriors while keeping the insides moist and tender. Additionally, air fryers are convenient, use less power, and require shorter cooking times with minimal cleanup.  

Air fryer chicken recipes also offer a diverse range of flavors for all occasions, from favorites like crispy chicken wings and chicken taquitos to more traditional options like Chicken Burgers and Chicken Kabobs. So whether you’re preparing appetizers for game time or a party, or need a quick dinner, air fryers offer a flavorful and healthier approach to chicken preparation.

Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe

Easy 10-minute prep with just a few spices, olive oil, and lemon juice

Moist juicy chicken every time

A pop of zestiness from the addition of lemon and lemon zest

No heating up the kitchen when using an air fryer

Easy cleanup!

Ingredients

For the lemon chicken marinade:

• Lemon juice - tenderizes the chicken and gives it a bright citrusy zing
• Olive oil - helps the herbs adhere to the chicken breast
• Lemon zest - adds a pop more flavor
• Salt - intensifies all the flavors
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder - pairs perfectly with the lemon flavor
• Italian seasoning

For the chicken and garnish:

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Butter - adds a touch of richness to the finished chicken breasts
• Lemon slices
• Fresh parsley

How to Cook Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

1. Place chicken in a zip-loc bag or between 2 pieces of wax paper and pound lightly to an even thickness.
2. To make the marinade, place the oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.
3. Whisk to combine.
4. Place chicken in marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the chicken from the marinade and carefully place in the bottom of a preheated air fryer basket that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Air Fry for 10 minutes, turn the chicken over and cook for an additional 6-9 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to make sure the chicken is done. It should register 165°F.

Remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board, place 1 tablespoon of butter on top of each, then let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Serve garnished with chopped parsley and lemon slices.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast Time and Temp

Chicken breast air fryer time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast and the weight, which can range between 6-12 ounces. It also depends on the air fryer model and type (basket or oven) you own.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

A medium chicken breast, between 6-8 ounces will take 16-19 minutes to air fry at 370°F. (This is based on my favorite Cosori 5.8-QT air fryer) Larger breasts will need additional time to cook through. Estimated times are given below.

The chicken should register 165°F at its thickest part when it is fully cooked. Note: You can take the chicken out when it registers 155-160 and let it rest for 5-10 minutes while the meat continues to cook and the juices get sealed inside.

Temperature to Air Fry Chicken Breast

I prefer to air fry chicken breasts at 370°F. You can cook the chicken between 360°F or raise it as high as 400° depending on your air fryer.

I find the higher temperature tends to dry the chicken out too quickly and turn it rubbery so I advise sticking to a lower temperature. Always check to make sure the chicken has reached 165°F to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.

Recipe Tips

• If you want thin chicken breasts, you can pound them thin or cut them in half horizontally. It will take less time to air fry thin chicken breasts.
• Don't marinate chicken with lemon juice for more than 4 hours. Lemon juice can break down meat and make it mushy if marinated for too long.
• After marinating the chicken, discard the marinade and do not reuse it.
• Remember to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to help prevent the chicken from sticking to it.
• Place the lemon slice on top of the chicken breast before air frying to intensify the flavor of it.
• Don't overcook the chicken. It's done when the internal temperature is 165°F. You can check the temp with an instant-read thermometer.
• Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after air frying and before cutting it.
• Cooking time may vary based on the air fryer model so adjust cooking time accordingly.

Recipe Variation - Greek Lemon Chicken

If you want to make air fryer Greek Lemon Chicken breast, here's how:

1. Omit the paprika.
2. Substitute the Italian seasoning with Greek seasoning.

That's it! How easy!

What to Serve with Lemon Chicken for Dinner

• Air fryer fingerling potatoes, air fryer hasselback potatoes, or mashed potatoes.
• Air-fried, roasted, or steamed vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans.
• Rice or quinoa.
• A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette dressing or Caesar salad.
• Crusty bread or garlic bread.

How to Use Lemon Chicken

Make extra as a part of meal prep and use it for:

• Bowls - Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl
• Salads - Chicken Salad with Grapes, Harvest Chicken Salad, Strawberry Chicken Salad
• Sandwich
• Wrap - standard or spiced up like these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Leftovers

Storing: Cool the chicken to room temperature. Place it in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Cool the chicken to room temperature. Place it in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

Here's how to reheat chicken breast in air fryer:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for a few minutes.
2. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
3. Reheat for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook or dry out. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they're safely reheated.
4. Optionally, you can spritz a little bit of lemon juice or olive oil over the chicken before reheating to restore some moisture and enhance the lemon flavor.

Reheating Chicken Breast in the Oven

Here's how to reheat chicken breast in the oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Place the chicken breast in an oven-safe dish.
3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture during reheating.
4. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
5. Again, a spritz of lemon juice or olive oil can be beneficial for flavor and moisture.

Reheating Chicken Breast in the Microwave

Here's how to quickly reheat chicken breast in a microwave:

1. Place the chicken breast on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another inverted plate to retain moisture.
3. Heat on medium power (50% power) for 1 minute. Microwaving on full power might cook the chicken unevenly or dry it out.
4. After the initial microwaving, check the temperature. If it's not warm enough, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, checking after each until the chicken is heated thoroughly.
5. It's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken. You're aiming for 165°F to ensure it is safely reheated.

More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

• Air Fryer Meatballs
• Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
• Air Fryer Pizza
• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Steak Bites

Find lots of delicious and easy air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!

LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK.