How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer

Want to make a simple yet juicy chicken breast? Air fryer chicken breast is the way to go!

With just a few common spices, this chicken breast turns out crispy on the outside while remaining super juicy on the inside.

Air fried chicken makes the perfect meat component to a balanced dinner with rice or potatoes and a veggie – or cut it up in a salad. It’s a versatile chicken recipe for you to use however you like!

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Air fryer chicken breast – served whole or sliced thin!

Recipe Tips/Substitutions

Before you make chicken breast in air fryer, read through these few recipe tips so you have best results!

  • We are using fresh chicken breast for this recipe. If you want to use frozen chicken breast, you’ll have to adjust the cooking time – so don’t follow this recipe.
  • You can definitely change up the spices a little bit to suit your taste. Just remember once you add spices – like cayenne pepper – it’s hard to remove it from the spice blend!
  • Don’t skip the oil since it helps the spices stick to the chicken breast.
  • After you remove the chicken from the air fryer, place it on a plate, cover it with tin foil, and let it rest for a few minutes. Don’t skip this step. This is how it gets extra juicy… and it’s worth the wait.
  • If you’re ever unsure if the chicken breast is cooked through, you can check the internal temperature which should be at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively – if you don’t have a meat thermometer – you can also cut it through the middle to check. The meat should be all white through with no pink. Better to be safe than sorry.

We use this air fryer for our recipes and it has been great.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer

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Step by Step Instructions

If you’d like to see visuals for how to air fry chicken breast, have a look at the process photos in this section.

Alternatively, feel free to skip to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Wash and dry the chicken.

Wash the chicken breasts, then pat them dry really well. You can trim any excess fat if applicable.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Mix the spices.

Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl until well combined.

You can adjust the spices to suit your personal taste.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Add the spice blend.

Brush the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil per breast, then massage the seasoning on the top. Flip and add seasoning to the other side as well.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Place the chicken breast onto the tray.

Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the air fryer is hot, place the chicken breasts on the air fryer tray.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Cook the chicken.

Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for 8-9 more minutes or until fully cooked.

The cook time might vary slightly based on your specific air fryer and the size of the chicken breasts.

Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Cover the plate with tin foil, and let the chicken breasts sit for 3-5 minutes.

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer
Juicy chicken breasts ready to be eaten!

Remove the tin foil from the plate and serve the chicken breasts hot.

Storage Tips

Any leftovers should be placed in a sealed container or covered in tin foil on a plate and put in the fridge.

The chicken will last in the fridge for around 3-4 days but the sooner it is eaten the better (because it’s meat and it will inevitably dry out over time).

To reheat, you can place the chicken breast in the air fryer again for a few minutes until warmed. For easier warming, you can also cut the chicken into smaller slices and warm it in the microwave.

What to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Breast With

You could serve this chicken breast with roasted potatoes and vegetables such as brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans. The chicken is super juicy so a drier vegetable that has been roasted goes really nicely.

Instead of potatoes, you could alsos serve the chicken with rice or quinoa and roasted vegetable.

Another suggestion to use this chicken breast is cut it up and use it for a salad or wrap. We like chicken Caesar salad wraps and this chicken has a perfect light flavor to work well with Caesar dressing and crunchy romaine!

For more air fryer chicken recipes, try out these classic ones that’ll have your mouth watering!

  • Air Fried Chicken Wings (Simple Seasoning)
  • Lemon Pepper Wings in the Air Fryer
  • Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

How long to cook chicken breast in foil in air fryer

  • 2 chicken breasts, 7-8 ounces per breast
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • Wash the chicken breasts, then pat them dry really well. You can trim any excess fat if applicable.

  • Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl until well combined.

  • Brush the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil per breast, then "massage" the seasoning on the top. Flip and add seasoning to the other side as well.

  • Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • When the air fryer is hot, place the chicken breasts on the air fryer tray. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for 8-9 more minutes or until fully cooked. Cook time might vary slightly based on your specific air fryer and the size of the chicken breasts.

  • Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Cover the plate with tin foil, and let the chicken breasts sit for 3-5 minutes.

  • Remove the tin foil from the plate and serve the chicken breasts hot.

  • Don’t skip the last step of covering the chicken with tin foil to let sit – this is how the chicken turns out really juicy!
  • If the chicken breast is a lot smaller or larger than 7-8 ounces, you’ll have to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge and consume them within 3-4 days.

Serving: 1g | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 618mg

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Chicken

Cuisine American

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Can you cook chicken in tin foil in an air fryer?

Yes you can wrap chicken in foil in an air fryer if it is ok to use foil in your air fryer model (check your manual if you are unsure). However, don't wrap chicken in foil to cook if you are using any acidic ingredients in the marinade or seasoning (e.g. tomatoes, chili, citrus).

How long should I cook chicken breasts in air fryer?

The amount of time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer will vary based on the size of your chicken breasts..
Small Breasts (5 to 7 ounces): 7 to 10 minutes..
Medium Breasts (8 to 10 ounces): 10 to 12 minutes..
Large Breasts (11 ounces or more): 12 to 16 minutes..

Can you use aluminum foil in air fryer?

Is It Safe to Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer? It is absolutely safe to use aluminum foil in your air fryer. In fact, it can make cooking with the air fryer easier.

How long do you bake chicken in an air fryer?

How to Bake Chicken in an Air Fryer.
Whole chicken: 400°F, 30 minutes on the first side, 12–22 minutes on the other..
Boneless chicken breast: 400°F, 10 minutes on the first side, 5–8 minutes on the other..
Bone-in chicken thighs: 400°F, 15 minutes on the first side, 10–15 minutes on the other..