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Air fryer blackened chicken breast sliced on a white plate, showing a dark spice crust and juicy interior

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breast

4.43 from 7 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings

Description

Air fryer blackened chicken breast with a genuinely dark, spice-toasted crust and a juicy interior. Ready in under 30 minutes with one flip and no cast-iron skillet.

Ingredients 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts , (about 2)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Blackening Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. If the breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them gently or slice horizontally so they cook evenly.
  • In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Stir until uniform in color.
  • Rub the chicken all over with olive oil. Sprinkle the entire seasoning mixture over both sides and the edges, pressing it firmly into the meat.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer with space between the pieces. Cook for 10 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and cook for another 8 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  • Rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with lemon wedges.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Perforated parchment liners (optional)

Notes

  • Times are for 1-inch-thick breasts. Thinner cuts need 8–10 minutes total; thicker cuts up to 24.
  • Use all of the seasoning. Under-seasoning is the most common reason blackened chicken comes out pale.
  • Store cooked chicken airtight in the refrigerator up to 4 days, or freeze sliced up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 49gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 1431mgPotassium: 988mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2042IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 3mg