Cooking Cajun chicken in air fryer is simple, and quick and with this air fryer cajun chicken breast recipe, you get juicy, tender, flavorful, and spicy chicken breasts in 15 minutes.
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Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Breast Recipe That Works
This air fryer cajun chicken recipe is perfect and always gives juicy, flavorful, and tender chicken breasts.
With only 15 minutes of cooking time, it is a quick air fryer chicken recipe and can be served for weeknight dinners, weekend meals, or any meal time.
This cajun boneless chicken breast in air fryer is seasoned with cajun seasoning which contains herbs and spices like garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, and herbs. It is full of flavor, and tastes so good it will soon become one of your air fryer chicken breast favorites as it is ours.
Chicken breast is healthy, high in protein, and low in fat and by air frying, you get the fried taste without using much oil.
Air fryer Cajun chicken breast is versatile and we love to serve it with rice or potatoes and a side of roasted vegetables. I also make and store it in the fridge to make my children's school lunches of chicken sandwiches, chicken salad, and wraps.
We also love: Pan fried chicken breast, Baked boneless chicken breast
Ingredients
Here are what you will need to make air fryer cajun chicken breast:
Chicken Breast- I used boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Cajun seasoning- Garlic powder, onion granules, cayenne pepper, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and Paprika (more details in the recipe card).
Salt- For taste
Olive oil- Use sunflower, avocado oil, or vegetable oil if you don't have olive oil.
Check the recipe card for the full ingredient list and measurements.
Why not make your own Homemade Cajun Seasoning to store for later?
How To Make Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Breast
Here are the step by step instructions for making air fryer cajun chicken:
Make Cajun Seasoning- Mix paprika, cayenne pepper, onion granules, garlic granules, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and salt in a small bowl.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to get moisture out of them.
Brush the chicken with olive oil then sprinkle the cajun seasoning all over the chicken breasts. Pat in the seasoning on the chicken (you want to ensure that all sides of the chicken are covered with the cajun spice rub).
Transfer the seasoned chicken breast to the air fryer basket. Don't overlap and leave some space between the chicken.
Set the air fryer to 200C/400F and air fry cajun chicken for 12-16 minutes (flip the chicken after the first 8 minutes so all sides brown evenly) or till the internal temperature reaches at least 165F/75C.
Take out the chicken from the air fryer and let them rest for 4-6 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
To Make It In The Oven
Want to make it in the oven instead? Here's how to do it:
After seasoning the chicken as described above, transfer them to a baking tray or dish.
Put the tray in the oven and bake chicken at 200C/400F for 20-25 minutes or till cooked through to an internal temperature of at least 165F.
Bring out the chicken, rest them for 5 minutes, and serve.
How Long To Cook Cajun Chicken In Air Fryer
How long to cook cajun chicken breast in the air fryer is 12-18 minutes at a temperature of 200C/400F depending on the size and thickness. This also applies if you use boneless chicken thighs.
Cajun Chicken wings: 20-25 minutes.
Chicken legs: 25 minutes
Chicken is cooked when the inside is no longer pink and the internal temperature is at least 165F/75C.
Serving Suggestion
Cajun chicken is packed full of flavor and it's versatile. Here are some side dishes ideas to serve it with:
Potatoes are always a good idea to serve with chicken. Butter potatoes, baked diced potatoes, cream cheese mashed potatoes are some potato side dishes to serve with.
Yellow rice, spicy rice, and Spanish rice are delicious rice side dishes that you can serve with it.
Air fryer vegetables, Mediterranean roasted vegetables, pan fried broccoli, and Boiled carrots are delicious vegetable sides.
Pasta, No yeast bread, and bread rolls also go well with chicken.
Storage and Reheating
To store leftovers, let the chicken cool completely, then transfer to a Ziploc or an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheat it in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 180C or reheat in the microwave at high settings for 60-90 seconds.
Helpful Tips
- Use similar sized chicken breasts if possible.
- Slice the chicken into cutlets if they are too thick. This will make them cook faster and more evenly.
- You can flatten the chicken with a meat mallet to get the same thickness.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste. Don't like cajun? Use other seasonings like Piri Piri, fried chicken seasoning, or Jerk seasoning.
- Do not overcook chicken so they remain juicy. Once the internal temperature reaches 165F, take them out of the air fryer.
- You can use other cuts such as chicken tenderloins, chicken thighs, wings, or drumsticks however you'll need to adjust the cooking time.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before cutting it so the internal juice has time to redistribute and stay in.
- You can use store bought cajun seasoning if you prefer.
FAQS
What is a substitute for cajun seasoning?
Blackened Seasoning and chicken seasoning are good substitutes.
How long to cook chicken breast in the air fryer?
12-18 minutes depending on the size and thickness.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes, you can. The cooking time stays the same for boneless chicken thighs however if using bone in chicken thighs, it will take longer to cook so cook for 25-30 minutes instead.
More Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipes
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Recipe
Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breast Boneless skinless
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic granules
- ¼ teaspoon Onion granules
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried thyme
- Salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil or avocado oil, sunflower, or vegetable oil.
Instructions
- Make Cajun Seasoning- Mix paprika, cayenne pepper, onion granules, garlic granules, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and salt in a small bowl.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to get moisture out of them.Brush the chicken with olive oil then sprinkle the cajun seasoning all over the chicken breasts. Pat in the seasoning on the chicken (you want to ensure that all sides of the chicken are covered with the cajun spice rub).
- Transfer the seasoned chicken breast to the air fryer basket. Don't overlap and leave some space between the chicken.
- Set the air fryer to 200C/400F and air fry cajun chicken for 12-16 minutes (flip the chicken after the first 8 minutes so all sides brown evenly) or till the internal temperature reaches at least 165F/75C.
- Take out the chicken from the air fryer and let them rest for 4-6 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Use similar sized chicken breasts if possible.
- Slice the chicken into cutlets if they are too thick. This will make them cook faster and more evenly.
- You can flatten the chicken with a meat mallet to get the same thickness.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste. Don't like cajun? Use other seasonings like Piri Piri, fried chicken seasoning, or Jerk seasoning.
- Do not overcook chicken so they remain juicy. Once the internal temperature reaches 165F, take them out of the air fryer.
- You can use other cuts such as chicken tenderloins, chicken thighs, wings, or drumsticks however you'll need to adjust the cooking time.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before cutting it so the internal juice has time to redistribute and stay in.
- You can use store bought cajun seasoning if you prefer.
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