How to Roast Split Chicken Breasts to Perfection in the Air Fryer

Are you ready to discover a quick and delicious way to prepare split chicken breasts?

Look no further than your trusty air fryer! This handy kitchen appliance is not just for frying; it’s also perfect for roasting, and today I’m going to show you how to roast split chicken breasts with crispy and flavorful skin (which is the best part in my opinion) to tender juicy perfection. This simple roasted chicken recipe makes an easy go-to dinner any night of the week.

I always give instructions with step-by-step photos in my posts just in case some readers have questions. But if you are just here for the recipe, click the JUMP TO RECIPE tab under the title and it will take you straight there. You can also print the recipe card with full instructions or you can click one of the SHARE BUTTONS and save it for later!

Why Choose the Air Fryer?

The air fryer is an essential tool for any RV kitchen and it’s a game-changer when it comes to cooking split chicken breasts. It uses hot air circulation to cook your food evenly and create that irresistible crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful. Plus, it’s incredibly convenient.

Roasting them in the air fryer is also the best way to keep from having to heat up the kitchen in the summer months. 

Any brand or model of air fryer will work, but my favorite is the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1. The air fry feature works like a charm.

What you’ll Love About This Recipe

• You’ll get super juicy meat with crispy chicken skin
• Just 2 minutes prep time
• Healthy and delicious
• Just a few simple ingredients
• Great for meal prep

Let’s gather up the ingredients

• Split chicken breasts – bone-in, skin-on for extra flavor

• Olive oil

• Kosher salt

• Black pepper

• Garlic powder

• Paprika – smoked paprika works well too

• Optional: Your favorite herbs and spices for extra flavor

Now Let’s Get Cooking

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the chicken breasts cook evenly and achieve that beautiful crispy skin.

Prepare the Chicken

Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy during cooking. If you like, you can marinate the chicken in your favorite herbs and spices at this stage for added flavor.

Season Your Chicken

Drizzle a little olive oil over the chicken breasts, making sure to coat them evenly. Then, season both sides of the chicken with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can adjust the seasonings to your taste.

Place in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overcrowded. For best results, position them skin side up.

Roast Away

Cook the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes. When they are done, the skin should be golden brown and super crispy!

NOTE: The exact cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts and your air fryer, but it’s typically between 20-30 minutes.

Check for Doneness

To make sure your chicken is cooked through, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the breast meat. It should reach 165°F (74°C) for poultry. If needed, cook for a few more minutes.

Rest and Serve

Once your chicken breasts are done, remove them from the air fryer, tent with aluminum foil,  and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, keeping the meat moist. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Serve with sides such as Baked Tomatoes with Cheese or these Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.

Tips and Variations

Experiment with different seasonings or sauces like this Salsa Macha or Apricot Barbecue Sauce to create various flavor profiles for your roasted chicken breasts.

• You can also use this method for bone-in chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat. Try my Crispy Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

• If you prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid overcooking. Try this delicious recipe for Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Breast

• If you are looking for the addition of a delicious smokey flavor, skip the air fryer and try this recipe for Traeger Chicken Breast

Frequently Asked Questions

How to serve

Serve your air-fried chicken breasts with your favorite sides such as Cream Cheese Corn Casserole, a Simple Caesar salad, or these Smoked Potatoes.

Make more than you need

Shredded leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container for 4-5 days and it’s great for meal prep. Use it to make flavorful recipes like this Greek Chicken Casserole.

Here are some other great options:

If you decide to make this split chicken breast recipe, please be sure to give it a star rating and let me know how yours turned out. I love hearing your feedback and I will do my best to answer any questions you have as quickly as I can. 

As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours!

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