Air Fryer Meal Prep Chicken

A fork with two slices of juicy chicken breast.

Air Fryer Meal Prep Chicken

This easy and flavorful Air Fryer Meal Prep Chicken is juicy on the inside, with crispy bits on the outside. Made with simple ingredients!

Course Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 14

Servings servings

Calories 163

Author Dorothy Bigelow

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless, sliced into cutlets* (split widthwise) (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
¾ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¾ teaspoon flaky salt or kosher salt (or ¼-½ teaspoon fine salt)
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 375ºF (190ºC) for at least 3 minutes, according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model.
Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil (or olive oil) to a medium-sized bowl.
Add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the oil. Stir well to combine the oil and seasonings together into a paste.
Place the chicken pieces into the bowl of oil and seasonings, and toss well to coat the chicken tenders in the seasoned oil.
Optional: allow to “marinate” for 10-15 minutes.
Transfer the chicken pieces into the preheated air fryer basket (or parchment-lined tray) in a single layer, leaving ample room between each of the pieces. Work in batches if needed.
Cook for 10-14 minutes, or approximately 5-7 minutes per side. Turn the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
Once the pieces reach a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF in their thickest part, they are cooked through and can be removed from the air fryer.
Repeat with any remaining chicken.
Allow the chicken pieces to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving.
If using the chicken for meal prep, cool for 10-15 minutes, then transfer them to airtight containers, or slice into bite-sized pieces and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months.

Notes

Some air fryer models only set temperatures in intervals of 10ºF. Use 380ºF (round up) for models like this.

Slicing chicken breasts into cutlets: Use a sharp knife to divide the chicken breasts in half widthwise, splitting each breast into two thinner pieces. Be sure to work carefully and slowly to avoid cutting yourself! If desired, you can purchase pre-sliced cutlets from the grocery store for convenience.

Serving ideas: Salads, wraps, sandwiches, with rice and veggies, stir-fry, with cauliflower rice, with pasta (or protein pasta), fajitas, etc.

Using your favorite seasoning blends: Replace the listed seasonings with 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite seasoning blend. If your blend does not contain salt, be sure to include the amount listed in the recipe.

Chicken thighs: This recipe can be made with boneless skinless chicken thighs, although the texture is a bit chewy. Most people prefer dark meat when it has reached an internal temperature of 170-175ºF, so you may need to tack on a few extra minutes depending on how thick the pieces are.

Nutrition