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Easy Lemon Herb Air Fryer Chicken Breast – Best 20-Min Recipe

air fryer lemon herb chicken - featured image

This easy lemon herb air fryer chicken breast is a quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinner. With just 5 minutes of prep and 12 minutes of cooking, you get perfectly juicy, golden-brown chicken with bright lemon and herb flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If uneven in thickness, gently pound to an even ¾-inch thickness.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, pepper, and paprika.
  4. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and turn to coat evenly. Let sit for 5 minutes at room temperature.
  5. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
  6. Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken using tongs. Cook for another 6 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
  8. Slice against the grain into ½-inch thick pieces and serve.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave at least an inch of space between pieces. Use a meat thermometer for best results. Let chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for even cooking. Don’t skip the oil—it helps create a golden crust. Flip halfway through for even browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken, lemon herb chicken, easy chicken breast, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe