Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
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This air fryer chicken breast recipe is stuffed full of delicious yumminess!
Air fryer recipes are becoming more popular these days, and for good reason. Particularly with those who enjoy clean eating foods and foods lower in fat. Air fryers are small enough to sit on your counter, and you can make delicious foods that are normally deep-fried with a fraction of the oil. Foods such as cheese sticks or fish n’ chips.
What Is An Air Fryer?
It’s a countertop appliance that cooks pretty much exactly like a convection oven, except with a bit more “force”. The quick movement of the air circulated by the fan should mimic the crispiness of a deep fried food. Is it exactly the same result? No, not exactly. But it gets close in most cases. And considering the small amount of oil needed for most foods, it’s a far healthier option than deep frying. However, you will rarely achieve that perfect outer crisp that only a deep fryer can provide. But it’s still very tasty food that is far healthier. Plus, it’s smaller than most convection ovens which can be a bonus for counter space, but a negative for larger foods. That being said, you can buy air fryers large enough to fit a whole chicken.
Is Air Fryer Food Healthy?
As with most things, it all depends on how you use it! Basically, it’s a great way to enjoy foods that would normally be deep-fried, just without all the deep frying. It would probably be comparable to cooking something in a skillet with minimal oil. And again, it will all depend on how much oil you actually use for cooking. (In this case, just three teaspoons divided into 4 servings!)
Do You Put Oil In An Air Fryer?
Unlike a deep fryer, you do not put oil into an air fryer. Rather, you spray small amounts of oil onto the food itself just to keep it from drying out. But there is no place for oil storage, just a “basket” where you put the food in. It has holes on the bottom to keep the air flowing freely. Never cover those holes completely or your food won’t cook properly.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Ingredients
3 tsp. olive oil – Or any oil you prefer to use. Coconut oil has a higher smoke point and is delicious with chicken. But the choice is yours.
8 oz. chicken breasts – 2 breasts, butterflied. You can use fresh or previously frozen chicken breasts
½ tsp. dried thyme – Ground, dried thyme is best, but you can use the regular, dried leaves if that’s what you have.
1 tsp. dried oregano – Here again, ground or regular will work.
1 tsp. dried basil – As with the above spices, ground or regular works.
½ tsp. salt – I used pink Himalayan salt, but any fine salt will work. Only avoid coarse salts.
½ tsp. ground black pepper – White pepper works too, but black pepper tastes best. Use what you have.
4 oz. mozzarella cheese – Us the 1 oz. slices, cut in half to fit within the cut chicken.
2 medium tomatoes – Slice these to a medium thickness.
8 medium fresh basil leaves – plus more for garnish
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Pat dry chicken breasts with paper towels and discard the paper towels.Rub olive oil over the chicken breasts. Add seasonings, and massage chicken to coat all of it with seasonings.
Open chicken breasts, line 4 slices (2, halved), and top with about 4 slices of tomatoes and 4 basil leaves.
Close chicken and seal with 4 toothpicks at the edges of chicken breasts.Repeat with other chicken breast.Spray Air Fryer basket with olive oil spray.
Layer in chicken. Spray the top of chicken with olive oil spray for a beautiful golden color.Set the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer for 28 minutes.
When timer goes off, remove chicken from baskets, and remove toothpicks before serving.
Garnish with chopped basil and serve.
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More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 tsp. olive oil
- 8 oz. chicken breasts (2 breasts, butterflied)
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- ½ tsp. salt (or to your liking)
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- 4 oz. mozzarella cheese (1 oz. slices, cut in half to fit)
- 2 medium tomatoes (sliced)
- 8 medium fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken breasts with paper towels and discard the paper towels.Rub olive oil over the chicken breasts.Add seasonings, and massage chicken to coat all of it with seasonings.
- Open chicken breasts, line 4 slices (2, halved), and top with about 4 slices of tomatoes and 4 basil leaves.
- Close chicken and seal with 4 toothpicks at the edges of chicken breasts.Repeat with other chicken breast.Spray Air Fryer basket with olive oil spray.
- Layer in chicken. Spray the top of chicken with olive oil spray for a beautiful golden color.Set the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer for 28 minutes.
- When timer goes off, remove chicken from baskets, and remove toothpicks before serving.
- Garnish with chopped basil and serve.
I try this recipe today with a side of salad and Parmesan french fries on the air fryer too. and my husband and I loved it I must say it was delicious I will be adding it to my menu..
Thank you for sharing..
Lissette – Wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Those parmesan fries sound like a wonderful compliment to the meal! 🙂