Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast
This air fryer lemon garlic chicken breast is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor from a simple marinade. It's easy, protein-packed, and great for meal prep!
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley after cooking (optional)
Instructions
- Zest and juice the lemon, then whisk it together with the olive oil, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to make the marinade.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you have four even, thinner pieces, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a large Ziploc bag or airtight container, then pour the marinade over top. Move the chicken around so it's evenly coated. Seal the bag or container and place it in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the fridge, add a parchment paper liner to your air fryer basket, and place the chicken in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 10-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep it juicy. Then, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Slice for Even Cooking: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise before marinating. This helps them cook evenly and soak up more of that lemon garlic flavor.
- Italian Seasoning Blend: No Italian seasoning on hand? Make your own with 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, and ¼ teaspoon dried thyme.
- Marinating Note: If marinating for a longer period of time, just note that the exterior of the chicken may appear white or opaque. This is a normal result of the lemon juice's acidity and does not affect the final dish.
- Avoid the Pith: Only zest the yellow outer layer of the lemon. The white pith underneath is bitter and will throw off the flavor of your marinade.
- Bake or Grill Option: No air fryer? To bake, place the marinated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, or until it reaches 165°F. To grill, cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or until it reaches 165°F. Either way, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 225mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g