5.0 from 171 votes
Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Learn how to cook healthy, tasty, tender and juicy chicken with this foolproof ninja foodi air fryer chicken breast recipe!
Prep Time
18 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 296 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine:
American , British
Ingredients
To make the Brining Solution
- 3-4 tablespoon table salt
- 4 cups water
To air fry the chicken breasts
- 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil.
Instructions
- Brine the chicken. First, check the label of your chicken breasts. If they have already been pre-brined in a sodium solution, please skip the next step. Fill a large bowl with 4 cups of warm water and add 3-4 tablespoons of salt. Stir to combine until most of the salt has been absorbed. Add the chicken breasts to the brining solution and let them sit in it to brine for 15-30 minutes. You can, also, brine them for a couple of hours (see notes). While the chicken is in the brine, prepare your air fryer and make the seasoning.
- Brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil, and do not use aerosol sprays (see notes).
- Prepare the seasoning by combining the salt, smoked paprika, dried parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, rinse them with cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Brush the chicken breasts on each side with olive oil or melted butter and top with the prepared seasoning.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer and air fry at 200°C (392°F) for a total of 12 minutes, making sure to flip each chicken breast mid-cooking. Use an internal read thermometer to check the chicken is cooked (it should show at least 165°F/ 74°C). If not cooked, air fry for a further 2-4 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- It's generally recommended not to brine chicken for too long. Brining for too long can lead to the chicken being overly salty or mushy in texture. The best duration for brining chicken breast is 15 minutes for a quick brine, or between 30 and 60 minutes for a proper brine.
- The best oils for the air fryer are high smoke point oils such as avocado, sunflower, and olive oil. Aerosol sprays are known to cause chipping of the air fryer basket.
Nutrition Information
Calories
296kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
48g
(96%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
145mg
(48%)
Sodium
11334mg
(472%)
Potassium
877mg
(25%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
0.2g
(0%)
Vitamin A
561IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
38mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 296
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 296kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 48g | 96% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 145mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 11334mg | 472% |
| Potassium | 877mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 561IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.