Marinated Chicken Breasts In Air Fryer

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If you haven’t tried marinated chicken breasts in the air fryer, you are in for a treat. This recipe is super simple and the meat comes out juicy with lots of flavor every time.

marinated chicken in air fryer with text overlay.

Air fryers have become a popular appliance in recent years because they offer a way to cook food with little to no oil. This makes them a healthy option, as well as a convenient one, as they can cook most foods in under 20 minutes.

I have always been a fan of chicken, but I always found myself bored of eating the same thing over and over. So, I decided to try something different and marinated chicken breast in a variety of spices and condiments before cooking it in the air fryer.

The end result was amazing! The juicy air fryer chicken was so tender and flavorful that I didn’t need to add any sauce. If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to cook chicken, then I recommend giving this recipe a try.

Ingredients

This air fryer chicken breast recipe is simple, requiring just a few ingredients and easy cooking instructions.

Chicken breasts

Skinless chicken breasts are used. But boneless chicken thighs work well too.

Condiments

Olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar combine for the base of the marinade.

Seasonings

Garlic powder, ground ginger, ground black pepper, and chili powder up the flavor.

Sweetener

To offset the saltiness of the soy sauce and tartness of the vinegar, a little sweetener is added into the marinade. Use a low-carb sweetener to make the recipe keto-friendly.

Note: The full list of ingredients along with the amounts used are shown in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

air fryer marinated chicken ingredients.

Instructions

The chicken is first marinated in a flavorful mixture of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and seasonings, then air fried until cooked through. The end result is a juicy, tender piece of chicken that’s been infused with delicious flavor.

Prepare the marinade

It only takes a minute to make your own homemade marinade and you control the ingredients. Just whisk everything together in a 2-cup glass measure!

preparing the chicken marinade in glass measure.

Marinate chicken

You can marinate the chicken in a shallow baking dish or zipper bag. Place the chicken breasts in the container then pour the marinade over it. Cover the dish or seal the bag. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least an hour in the refrigerator.

pouring marinade over uncooked chicken breasts in zipper bag.

Cook

Cook marinated chicken in the air fryer basket at 360°F for 12 to 14 minutes or until the meat tests done with a meat thermometer. Larger chicken breasts will require a longer cooking time.

marinated chicken breasts in air fryer basket.

Remove

Remove and let the chicken rest. Resting allows the cooking juices to reabsorb into the meat making more moist. If desired, you can slice it up before serving.

cooked marinated chicken in air fryer.

Tips

  • Thaw meat before marinating. If using frozen chicken breasts, you’ll need to thaw them first so the marinade can penetrate through the meat.
  • Grease the air fryer basket. A light layer of oil or cooking spray on the basket can help prevent the chicken from sticking.
  • Use a meat thermometer. Boneless skinless chicken breasts can come become dry and rubbery if overcooked. That’s why it’s important to remove them once fully cooked at 165°F.

Serving suggestions

The chicken should be served warm after air frying. It goes well with gluten-free green bean casserole or a low-carb rice substitute like keto shrimp cauliflower rice. You can also enjoy it with a simple pasta dish like Penne al Baffo.

cooked chicken breasts on white plate with one sliced.

Variations

This recipe for marinated chicken in air fryer is perfect for a quick and easy meal. However, you can also customize it to fit your taste preferences or for use in a chicken casserole.

For example, you could add different spices or herbs to the marinade, or use a different type of chicken. You can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar or brown sugar substitute instead of white sweetener.

FAQs

Can I put marinated meat in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put marinated meat in an air fryer. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time, as the marinade may add moisture to the meat.

Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. However, you should be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer, as this could lead to uneven cooking. Also, make sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.

How long should you cook chicken in air fryer?

The time it takes to cook chicken in an air fryer will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken, as well as the power of your air fryer. As a general rule, aim to cook chicken for about 15-20 minutes at 370 degrees F.

How long should I marinate chicken?

The length of time you should marinate chicken depends on the ingredients in the marinade and the cut of chicken. In general, it is best to let chicken soak in a marinade for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 12 hours.

air fryer marinated chicken breasts on white plate.

Related recipes

Want to try a few more easy low-carb recipes? Here’s a few of our favorites.

Air Fryer Marinated Chicken

This recipe for marinated chicken in the air fryer is so simple. The meat comes out juicy and delicious with lots of flavor every time.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer chicken, chicken in air fryer
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 218kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sweetener of choice
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • Chicken:
  • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts about 24 ounces
  • Olive oil

Video

Instructions

  • In medium mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.
  • Place chicken into a zipper bag and add in the marinade. Seal and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
  • Preheat air fryer to 360°F if needed.
  • Place marinated chicken in the basket and cook for 12 to 14 minutes. There should be no need to flip the meat but you can halfway if needed.

Notes

If using frozen chicken breasts, you’ll need to thaw them first so the marinade can penetrate through the meat.
Grease the air fryer basket. A light layer of oil or cooking spray on the basket can help prevent the chicken from sticking.
Use a meat thermometer. Boneless skinless chicken breasts can come become dry and rubbery if overcooked. That’s why it’s important to remove them once they are cooked to 165°F.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 685mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 124IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

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