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36+ Best Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

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From classics like air fryer chicken tenders and air fryer chicken nuggets to healthier versions of dishes like chicken parmesan, you’ll find so many recipes to love in this round-up of the best air fryer chicken recipes.

Air Fryer Chicken Recipe round up
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

My air fryer is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. It’s really revolutionized making dinner, offering up a way to get that deep-fried crispy texture without dousing food in oil! I use my air fryer at least twice a week, whether it’s for dinner or party appetizers.

Chicken is one of my go-to proteins when it comes to healthy dishes so it’s no surprise that I’ve combined the two, trying out many different air fryer chicken recipes. Below you’ll find my favorites, ranging from kid-friendly chicken nuggets to healthier versions of air fryer chicken parmesan, air fryer chimichangas, and more.

Why Cook Chicken In The Air Fryer?

Here are a few reasons why I love using my air fryer to cook chicken.

  • Healthier than frying. The main perk to cooking anything in the air fryer is that you don’t have to add large amounts of oil, so it’s infinitely better than frying.
  • Crispier than the oven. In addition, most air fryer chicken recipes turn out much crispier than if you made the same recipe in the oven, due to how the air circulates.
  • Quick and easy. And, finally, most air fryer chicken recipes require just a few minutes of prep, no pre-heating AND less than 30 minutes of cook time. Some of these recipes cook in mere minutes!

Common Questions

  • Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer? Yes, absolutely! Most of these air fryer chicken recipes start with raw chicken. Just be sure to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
  • Why is my chicken tough in the air fryer? If your chicken is tough, you likely cooked it for too long or at too high of a temperature, which caused it to dry out and become tough.
  • Does chicken need oil in air fryer? Nope. The wonderful thing about making chicken in the air fryer is that, in most cases, no oil is needed. But, for a golden crust on breading I like to spray a minimal amount of oil for best results.
  • Should you flip chicken in the air fryer? It depends on the recipe but in general, most air fryer chicken recipes should be flipped halfway through to ensure even cooking since the heating element is at the top.

36 Best Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

And now, without further ado, let’s dive right into the recipes. These air fryer chicken recipes range from complete dinners to appetizers and snacks, plus classics like chicken tenders and chicken nuggets. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re easy to make!

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Ground Chicken)

These Chicken Nuggets made with ground chicken are so easy to make in the air fryer. They come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside every time.
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Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Crispy and perfectly golden, these Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets cook in just minutes and stay perfectly juicy on the inside. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner.
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Chicken Eggplant Parmesan

Chicken Eggplant Parmesan

Chicken Eggplant Parmesan featured chicken made in the air fryer topped with eggplant marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella. An easy, healthy weeknight dinner.
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Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl

Chipotle Chicken Recipe

You can make this air fryer Chipotle Chicken with chicken thighs or breasts. It's perfect in salads, burritos, tacos, and more.
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Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken

Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken

Skip the grocery store rotisserie chicken and make your own in just an hour with this Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken recipe.
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This Buttermilk-Marinated Air Fryer Whole Roasted Chicken comes out unbelievably juicy and delicious, and it's so easy to make, just 3 ingredients!

Buttermilk-Marinated Air Fryer Whole Roasted Chicken

You'll need just 3 ingredients for this Buttermilk-Marinated Air Fryer Whole Roasted Chicken. It comes out incredibly juicy and tender every time.
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Spicy Vodka Chicken Parmesan

Spicy Vodka Chicken Parmesan

Made with hot cherry peppers, vodka sauce, and mozzarella, this Spicy Vodka Chicken recipe can easily be prepared in the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a healthy alternative to the deep-fried classic…and just as tasty! Tender, crispy, and juicy with perfectly melted cheese, it's perfect served with a side salad or pasta.
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Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

This Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Chicken Breast requires just two ingredients, plus salt and pepper, and results in the juiciest chicken you've ever tried.
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Crispy, spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are perfect for the big game or enjoy them for lunch, or dinner.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are perfectly crispy with just the right amount of heat. Perfect for dinner or a game day appetizer.
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Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata Recipe

A classic Italian dish, Chicken Piccata features a sauce made with lemon, wine, butter, and capers.
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Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad

Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad

This Air Fryer Chicken Milanese is served with a side salad for an easy, light, and filling dinner any night.
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grilled chicken with cilantro and lime

Cilantro Lime Chicken Breast (Grilled or Air Fryer)

Marinated in olive oil, lime, garlic, and cilantro, this Cilantro Lime Chicken is bursting with flavor. Serve with a few sides or add to salads, tacos, wraps, and more.
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Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Oven Fried Chicken

Don't let the name fool you – this Oven Fried Chicken can easily be cooked in the air fryer too! Moist and juicy with a super crispy outside.
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Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich

Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich with Sriracha Mayo

Inspired by Chick-fil-A, this Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich is made with chicken soaked in pickle juice and buttermilk. Perfect for lunch or dinner!
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You won’t miss the carbs in these low-carb zucchini skins loaded with buffalo chicken and cheese made in the air fryer!

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Skins

These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Skins are a low carb dinner packed with flavor. With just the right amount of heat, they're perfect for busy weeknights.
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dipping chicken nuggets into ketchup

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Coated in breadcrumbs and parmesan, these Air Fryer Chicken nuggets are crisp and golden. Kid-approved!
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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs have become a weeknight staple in my house. An easy recipe that you can whip up super fast!
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These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are golden and juicy, so easy to make and perfect for weeknight cooking!

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and golden. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for an easy meal.
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tenders

The kids will love these crispy air-fried BBQ chicken tenders breaded and dunked in a sweet, fiery BBQ sauce! Serve them with some corn on the cob or a big salad.
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Crisp, golden, delicious Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Baby Arugula and lemon wedges is one of my favorite dinner recipes!

Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Arugula

This Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Arugula is a healthy and easy dinner. Serve with a lime wedge for a burst of flavor.
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Top-down view of chicken chimichanga on plate

Chicken Chimichangas

These Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas are a healthier twist on the Tex-Mex classic. Top with pico de gallo, avocado, and sour cream for a restaurant-worthy dinner at home.
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sliced chicken breast on cutting board

Air Fryer Herbed Buttermilk Roast Chicken Breast

This Air Fryer Herbed Buttermilk Chicken is perfectly seasoned and extra juicy, thanks to the buttermilk brine. Serve with a side of veggies for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner.
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chicken breasts sliced on a plate

How To Make Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts 

This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe results in tender, juicy chicken every time. Add to salads or wraps or serve with a few of your favorite sides.
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Air Fryer Asian-Glazed Boneless Chicken Thighs

These Air Fryer Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs are super juicy and flavorful, with a sticky glaze. Enjoy with steamed veggies and brown rice for a healthy, balanced dinner.
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Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

This Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken is easier to make than you may think. A restaurant-quality dinner ready at home in no time at all.
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These Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls, filled with shredded boneless chicken breast, carrots, scallions, hot sauce and blue cheese make the perfect appetizer! Bake them in the oven or air fryer!

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

These Buffalo Chicken Eggrolls will quickly become a favorite at every game day party you host! Filled with shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, carrots, and scallions they're a guaranteed hit.
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Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken Breast

Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Baked Stuffed Chicken

This Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken features chicken breast filled with jalapenos and loads of cheese. A fun dinner idea for any weeknight.
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This Cubano Chicken Roll Up idea came to me after having a serious pickle craving! I wanted to make a hot dish utilizing dill pickles in some way and decided to stuff a chicken breast with everything you'd normally find in a Cuban Sandwich – pickles, mustard, Swiss, and ham. But I took it a step further and brined the cutlets overnight in pickle juice for extra flavor, the results were outstanding!!!

Pickle Ham and Swiss Chicken Roll Ups (Cuban Chicken)

This Cuban Chicken features pickles, ham, and Swiss cheese rolled in a chicken breast. A unique combination of flavors that's sure to be a hit.
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These Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts are filled with Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta, mozzarella and spinach, rolled, breaded and baked in the oven or air fryer.

Chicken Rollatini with Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta, Mozzarella and Spinach

These Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken featured chicken rolled, breaded, and air fryer with spinach, mozzarella, and sundried tomatoes. A unique, flavorful dinner that's easy to make.
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These juicy, flavorful chicken tenders are marinated in pickle juice then breaded and baked in the oven or air fryer!

Pickle-Brined Baked Chicken Tenders

These Pickle-Brined Chicken Tenders feature just a hint of pickle flavor, while being incredible tender and juicy. A fun twist on your classic chicken tenders.
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Bangin Good Chicken Salad is delicious, made with tender chunks of breaded chicken baked until golden topped with delicious Bang Bang sauce. I served this over mixed greens and swooned with every bite!

Bang Bang Chicken Salad

This Bang Bang Chicken Salad begins with tender, juicy chunks of air-fried chicken and irresistible bang bang sauce. Quick, easy, and perfect for lunch!
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Bacon wrapped chicken bites are the easiest appetizer, made with just TWO ingredients. Using the air fryer, the bacon comes out crisp on the outside, and the chicken juicy and tender inside.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Looking for an easy appetizer for your next party? You can't go wrong with these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites. They're made with just 2 ingredients!
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These baked stuffed chicken breasts are really simple to make, stuffed with melted cheese, roasted red peppers, prosciutto and baby spinach.

Roasted Red Pepper and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken

This Roasted Red Pepper and Prosciutto Chicken Breast features tender, juicy chicken stuffed with red peppers, prosciutto, cheese, and baby spinach. An elegant but easy dinner.
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This healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe is a family favorite! Stuffed with ham and cheese then breaded and baked in the oven or made in the air fryer.

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu in the air fryer is an easy, healthy alternative to the classic, featuring chicken stuffed with ham and cheese.
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Chicken breast stuffed with shredded zucchini, garlic and mozzarella cheese, rolled then dipped in oil and fresh lemon juice, breaded and baked to perfection!

Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella

This Chicken Rollatini recipe is a great way to use up extra zucchini in the summer months! Chicken is stuffed with zucchini, garlic, and mozzarella then breaded and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
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I hope you enjoyed these recipes! If you’re looking for more, be sure to check out my entire collection of air fryer recipes.

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