Properly prepared sliced chicken breasts are best. They don’t taste the same when undercooked or overcooked, so you must get the cooking time right.
So, what is the right cooking time for a sliced chicken breast in an air fryer? This blog discusses this question in depth and others to enable you to prepare the most delicious meal. Let’s dive in.
Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Air Fryer Cook Time
Depending on the thickness of the meat, thin-sliced chicken breasts typically take 7–12 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 390°F–415°F.
The thinner the chicken, the less time it takes to cook. Thicker chicken breasts may take closer to 10 minutes. Chicken breasts that are not thin-sliced may take about double the cooking time.
Below are cook times for thin sliced chicken breasts in an air fryer in different temperatures
| Chicken breast size | Temperature (Fahrenheit) | Temperature (Celsius) | Cooking time | Notes |
| Thin sliced | 350 | 175 | 8-10 | Lower temperature helps keep chicken tender but takes longer. Check at 8 minutes. |
| 375 | 190 | 7-9 | A good balance for texture. Flip halfway for even cooking. | |
| 400 | 200 | 6-8 | Quick cook for juiciness and crisp surface. Monitor closely. | |
| 425 | 220 | 5-7 | 5-7 Fast cooking; perfect for thin slices. | |
| Thick sliced | 350 | 175 | 12-15 | Longer cooking to ensure tenderness. Check at 12 minutes. |
| 370 | 190 | 10-13 | Balanced cooking for thicker slices. Flip for even browning. | |
| 400 | 200 | 9-11 | Maintains moisture while crisping. Close monitoring is needed. | |
| 425 | 220 | 8-10 | Higher heat for quicker cooking, but watch to avoid burning. |
How to make thinly sliced chicken in the air fryer
Cooking chicken breasts can be super time-consuming and tricky to make. Thin-sliced chicken is great because it cooks way faster than a full chicken breast. This air fryer chicken breast is one of the easiest ways and only takes 10 minutes.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Thinly sliced chicken breast
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika.
Process
1. Preheat
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 and prep your chicken by patting each breast dry with paper towels.
2. Coat
- Coat both sides of each breast with a thin layer of olive oil (you can also use an olive oil spray).
- Season both sides evenly with all seasonings.
3. Arrange
- Arrange your chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer (if you have several, you may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer and the size of your chicken breasts).
4. Cook
- Air fry the chicken breast at 400 degrees for 7-10 minutes.
- Cook time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breast, so start checking on them around 6 minutes.
5. Check for doneness
- When they’re done, they’ll be golden brown and should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Tips
- Preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes for consistent cooking.
- Aim for 1/4 inch or less for quick, even cooking, and thick slices should be around 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch for even heat penetration without burning the outside.
- Apply seasonings before cooking. Salt, pepper, and herbs can transform the flavor.
- Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Flip the chicken once during cooking to ensure even browning.
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes after cooking to redistribute juices.
How do you serve this chicken?
- I suggest a side like the simple green salad, roasted broccoli salad, the house favorite Brussels sprouts, or these Avocado Caesar Green Beans.
- I suggest the roasted peanut kale salad or the avocado kale Caesar with sweet potato fries for a side salad.
- Throw it alongside pasta, such as the creamy kale pasta, mushroom gnocchi, or paprika chicken pasta.
Can I marinate or season the chicken differently instead?
Definitely! Marinate your chicken normally, then cook as the recipe directs. You can also use your favorite seasonings or sauces on chicken.
Add Italian seasoning, barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, or any other sauce you like. You can also coat the breasts in an egg wash and then panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs for breaded chicken cutlets with a crispy coating.
How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
To keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer, consider the following tips:
1. Brining
Soak the chicken in a brine solution (water, salt, and sometimes sugar) for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the meat retain moisture.
2. Marinating
Marinate the chicken with moist ingredients, such as yogurt, buttermilk, olive oil, herbs, and spices. This not only adds flavor but also helps keep the chicken moist.
3. Use a Meat Thermometer
Cook to the right temperature. The chicken breast should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Even a little overcooking can dry out the meat.
4. Cooking Temperature and Time
Use a lower temperature for a longer or a higher temperature for a shorter time, but monitor closely. For example, 350-375°F for thin slices or 375-400°F for thicker slices, adjusting the time accordingly.
5. Flip and Check
Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. Check doneness earlier than expected, especially if it’s your first time cooking a particular thickness or cut.
6. Baste
If your air fryer model allows pausing, open it to baste with oil, marinade, or sauce to add moisture.
7. Use a Light Coating
A light oil or egg wash coating followed by breadcrumbs or a light seasoning mix can help create a barrier that retains moisture while adding flavor.
8. Use a Spatchcock Method or Butterfly
For thicker breasts, consider butterflying or spatchcocking to ensure even thickness. This method cooks more uniformly and reduces the risk of drying out.
How to determine if your thin-sliced chicken breast is done
Here are several methods to determine if your thin-sliced chicken breast is done:
1. Internal Temperature
Use an instant-read thermometer. Please insert it into the thickest part of the slice, ensuring it doesn’t touch the air fryer basket or go through the meat.
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches between 160-165°F (71-74°C). Remember, due to carryover cooking, the temperature might rise a few degrees after removal.
2. Visual Inspection
When you cut into the chicken, it should be uniformly opaque and ivory or white throughout, with no pink or translucent bits in the center.
3. Texture
Gently press the surface with a finger or utensil. The chicken should feel firm but not hard. If it feels overly soft or spongy, it’s likely not done. If it’s too hard, it might be overcooked.
4. Juices
If you pierce the chicken and clear juices run out, it’s a good sign the chicken is cooked. Pink or bloody juices indicate undercooked meat.
FAQ
How long does it take to air fry thin sliced chicken breast?
Depending on the thickness, thin-sliced chicken breasts take about 7-10 minutes to air fry at 400 degrees. If you have a particularly large piece, it may take closer to 10 minutes. Start checking them around 6 minutes for doneness so they don’t dry out.
How do you store the chicken?
This recipe is great for meal prep because you can throw it in the air fryer while you work on other food prep. It can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Can I air fry regular chicken breast that’s not sliced thin?
You can, but it takes about double the time. Depending on the thickness, cook the chicken for 7-10 minutes on each side until it reaches 165 degrees. I prefer thin-sliced chicken because the shorter cooking time yields a more consistently juicy piece.
Can you use frozen chicken breast?
If you’re using frozen chicken, I suggest thawing it before coating it with spices and cooking it in the air fryer. In my experience, this creates the best texture for your chicken rather than putting it directly in the air fryer.
Does the cooking time change if you use whole chicken breasts (not sliced thinly)?
If using thicker (un-sliced) chicken breasts, air fry at 415 degrees for 13 minutes minimum and check the temperature to confirm they’re done (165 degrees).
Can you use chicken tenderloins?
Yes! You’re ready to follow the same recipe with 1 lb. of chicken tenderloins!
How long does cooking chicken breast in an air fryer at 180 degrees take?
At 180°C (356°F), thin-sliced chicken breast typically takes about 8-10 minutes, while thicker slices might take 12-15 minutes. Always check for doneness with a thermometer or by visual inspection.
What is the best temperature to cook chicken breast in an air fryer?
The optimal temperature often balances between cooking speed and moisture retention. A good compromise is 190°C (375°F), where thin slices might cook in 7-9 minutes and thicker in 10-13 minutes. This temperature allows for a nice crisp exterior while keeping the interior moist.
How long does it take to cook chicken breast at 200 degrees Celsius?
At 200°C (392°F), thin slices could be done in 6-8 minutes, while thicker slices might need 9-11 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through for even cooking and check the internal temperature.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
You can use aluminum foil in an air fryer but with caution. Don’t cover the entire bottom of the basket; leave some space for air to circulate. Ensure the foil isn’t touching the heating element to prevent fires or melting. Foil can be used to line parts of the basket for easier cleanup or to wrap food for steaming (though this is less common for chicken). However, it’s generally better to cook without foil directly on the chicken to achieve crispiness.
Conclusion
Depending on the thickness of the meat, thin-sliced chicken breasts typically take 7–12 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 390°F–415°F.
The thinner the chicken, the less time it takes to cook. Thicker chicken breasts may take closer to 10 minutes. Chicken breasts that are not thin-sliced may take about double the cooking time.