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–+ servings
Chicken breasts covered in blackening seasonings.

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken

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This easy and delicious recipe for Air Fryer Blackened Chicken is ready in less than 15 minutes and requires just a few simple ingredients.
Course Air Fryer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 328
Author Dorothy Bigelow

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts cut in half widthwise into cutlets
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375ºF for at least 3 minutes, according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model.
  • Cut your chicken breasts in half widthwise to create two thinner pieces from each single chicken breast.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil to a large bowl, then add in all of the seasonings. Whisk the seasonings and oil together until completely combined.
  • Add the halved chicken breasts to the bowl of oil and seasonings, tossing to coat each of the pieces in the seasoned oil.
  • Once the chicken pieces are well coated, add them in a single layer to the basket of the preheated air fryer. Leave plenty of room between each piece of chicken, working in batches as needed.
  • Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 6-10 minutes, or for 3-5 minutes per side. Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
  • Once the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF at the thickest part, it’s cooked through. Remove from the air fryer to a plate.
  • Repeat with any remaining chicken.
  • Serve and enjoy with your choice of dipping sauce, or how you prefer to serve blackened chicken.

Notes

“Blackened” - I’ve tested this recipe at higher temperatures, trying to get the dark color that is signature with blackened chicken, but I couldn’t achieve it without the texture suffering. This recipe instead has the signature flavors of blackened chicken, although it is not charred on the outside like skillet versions.
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders: Substitute the 2 chicken breasts for 6-8 chicken tenderloins. Cook in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes per side, or for a total of 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through.
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breasts: If you want to leave the chicken breasts whole, you can cook them for 12-14 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking for even browning. The chicken is done when it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF at the thickest part of the breast.
Storing: Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 555mg | Potassium: 882mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 779IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg