Juicy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken – Crispy and Flavorful
Juicy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken is tender and flavorful inside with a golden, crispy exterior. Made with fresh lemon, garlic, herbs, and simple seasonings, this easy chicken dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 lemon cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If the breasts are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
- Make the Lemon Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and coat thoroughly with the lemon-garlic marinade. Let the chicken rest for 10–15 minutes so the flavors can develop.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for about 3–5 minutes. Preheating helps the chicken brown more evenly.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Air fry at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Check for Doneness: Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part. Cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Rest and Garnish: Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
For the juiciest chicken, choose chicken breasts of similar thickness and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part reaches 165°F. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing to help retain its juices. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Best Serving:
Serve with roasted vegetables, rice, mashed potatoes, salad, roasted potatoes, or steamed green beans. Sliced leftovers are also excellent in salads, wraps, sandwiches, and meal-prep bowls.
Serve with roasted vegetables, rice, mashed potatoes, salad, roasted potatoes, or steamed green beans. Sliced leftovers are also excellent in salads, wraps, sandwiches, and meal-prep bowls.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 45 g
- Total Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Total Sugars: 1 g
- Added Sugars: 0 g
- Vitamin A: 10%
- Vitamin C: 12%
- Calcium: 2%
- Iron: 8%