Description
Succulent air fryer grilled chicken brings Mediterranean flavors to your kitchen with minimal effort. Crispy exterior and juicy interior guarantee a delightful meal that satisfies your culinary craving.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional for spice)
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whirl olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a mixing bowl until seamlessly blended.
- Meat Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with the vibrant marinade, massaging every surface to ensure maximum flavor penetration. Let the meat rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes or refrigerate up to 4 hours for intense taste development.
- Air Fryer Setup: Preheat the air fryer to 375F (190C) for 2-3 minutes, creating an ideal cooking environment. Position marinated chicken breasts in a single layer within the basket, maintaining space for optimal heat circulation.
- Cooking Process: Air fry the chicken for 14-16 minutes total, flipping midway through to guarantee uniform browning and even cooking. Confirm doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165F (75C) with a meat thermometer.
- Serving Finale: Extract chicken from the air fryer and allow a 5-minute resting period to redistribute juices and enhance tenderness. Slice and plate alongside grilled vegetables, fluffy rice, or a crisp salad for a complete, mouthwatering meal.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Use non-metallic containers when marinating to prevent unwanted chemical reactions that could alter the chicken’s flavor or texture.
- Moisture Management: Pat chicken breasts dry before marinating to help seasonings adhere better and achieve a crispier exterior in the air fryer.
- Temperature Precision: Let chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even heating and prevent dry, overcooked meat.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Leave space between chicken pieces in the air fryer basket to allow hot air circulation, guaranteeing perfectly crisp and evenly cooked chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg