Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breasts are savory and insanely juicy with an outside crust that is delightfully crispy.

Cooking chicken breast on the bone lends incredible flavor to the chicken while not overcooking or drying it out. Oh, and it’s all done from the kitchen to the table in about 30 minutes.

Why I Love This Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breast Recipe

I love juicy and flavorful chicken breasts, don’t you? This air fryer chicken breast is one of my favorite ways to cook weeknight dinners (my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs being another favorite way) because they take only a few simple steps to make and always come out perfectly in around thirty minutes.

Cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer is an easy roasting option that can give you a juicy chicken breast with crispy skin and a ‘deep-fried’ flavor without the greasiness, and extra calories, making it a healthy way to enjoy your favorite comfort foods.

Ingredients And Variations

• Bone-in Chicken Breasts – Split chicken breast that is still on the bone is going to ensure you have flavorful chicken dinners. Be sure to purchase chicken breasts with the skin on because air frying makes it insanely crispy!
• Montreal Chicken Seasoning – I consider this your one-stop shop for a chicken seasoning blend. Check below in the question section for other seasoning alternatives.
• Cornstarch – this helps make the chicken super duper crispy!
• Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika is not spicy and it helps achieve that grilled flavor without using the grill.

The complete printable recipe with measured ingredients and cooking directions is below in the recipe card.

How To Make Juicy Bone-In Chicken Breasts In The Air Fryer

Prep the Air Fryer – Start by preheating the air fryer because it helps to get that super crispy skin plus it helps with overall even cooking.
1. Pat dry the pieces – With a paper towel, pat dry the skin and underside of the chicken to absorb any extra moisture. The dryer the chicken can be, the better the seasoning will coat the pieces.
2. Coat the chicken- Combine the spices and the cornstarch then coat the chicken pieces in the mixture. An easy way to do this is by placing all the spices in a plastic sandwich bag or lidded container, then put the chicken, one piece at a time, into the spice mixture and shake it around for even coverage.
When seasoning, you can use any of your favorite seasonings you usually like. I love the Montreal Chicken Seasoning, but you can easily whip up your own homemade chicken seasoning blend.

3. Air Fry the Chicken Pieces- Add the chicken to the air fryer basket, skin side down, in a single layer, and cook for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, flip the chicken breasts skin side up, and continue to cook for another 10 – 12 minutes until the internal temperature reads 165F.
When taking the internal temperature of the chicken, insert the thermometer at the thickest part of the chicken (and do not touch the bone). This is the digital meat thermometer I use.
4. Rest the cooked chicken – Remember to let the chicken rest before serving so all the juices can redistribute through the breast for about 5 minutes on a rack.

Salty Pot Tip: Want to add EVEN MORE juiciness? Try brining the chicken breast for a few hours before you begin the recipe. You could do a salt brine or even a pickle brine (does NOT give it a pickle flavor, just all juiciness!)

Why Should You Buy Chicken On The Bones?

Chicken breast with bones also gives you far and away more flavor because the bones help retain that savory ‘built-in broth’ per se, which helps leave your chicken juicy and flavorful plus the skin is usually left on, keeping in those juices, and adding superior flavor to the meat rather than cooking it without.

A bonus is that bone-in chicken breast is typically cheaper than boneless and skinless chicken breast at the grocery store.

Rest assured, cooking these chicken breasts in the air fryer will lend you that perfect crispy skin that is oh… so satisfying.

Storing Leftovers

If there are leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To reheat them again, pop them in microwave for a quick method, or simply air fry them again at 350 for 5 minutes or so. You should know that while you regain a bit of that crispiness on the outside, the inside may be a bit dryer than it originally was when you air-fried it because of the extra heat added to already-cooked chicken breast.

You could freeze them for up to 3 months and the flavor would be intact, but the crispiness of the skin would no longer be there.

Serving Ideas and Variations

Serve these chicken breasts with any side that’s ready to go in about 15 – 20 minutes. You could try sides like this Carrot Salad with Sweet Orange Dressing for a bit of freshness, or if you have a double chamber air fryer, try these Air Fryer Acorn Squash that are simply divine! For a decadent and fun side dish, try this Baked Zesty Cheese Doritos Mac and Cheese

More Air Fryer Chicken Ideas

If you want a super delicious TROPICAL vibe for your chicken, Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken recipe hits the spot. Other chicken recipes for the air fryer are my Butterflied BBQ Chicken Legs, and my BBQ Chicken Thighs are also delicious!

Did you make this Air Fryer Chicken Breasts Recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below or shoot me an email at Joanne@thesaltypot.com. Thank you for stopping by today!