Easy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Recipe
Ready in just 15 minutes, this chicken recipe is perfect for any weeknight dinner! It only calls for a few simple, fresh ingredients. This flavorful and juicy chicken is totally gluten-free and easy for any novice cook in the kitchen.
Let’s Talk About the Ingredients
Avocado oil: I love using avocado oil in this recipe because it has a high smoke point. This just means that it’s great for pan frying or air frying!
Parsley: Did you know that parsley contains iron? It actually also stimulates gut movement when it’s paired with healthy fats! These herbs help release bile from the liver!
Chicken: I always like using high-quality chicken. I find that they not only taste juicer and absorb the flavor of the marinade, but they also are better for us!
High-quality meat is important to me because we are basically eating whatever the chicken eats. So if the chicken’s feed is just corn and soy, then we are just eating corn and soy. But if the chicken lives on a pasture and grazes all day, then we are consuming non-stressed chicken!
What to Eat With This Air Fryer Lemon Chicken?
Appliances & Cookware Needed
Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Ingredients
3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 lemon, zested, then juiced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
How to Make Air Fryer Lemon Chicken
Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the chicken.
Cut the chicken breasts into thin slices lengthwise, or use a meat mallet to pound them thin.
Dry the chicken slices with a paper towel, and then season evenly with salt and pepper on both sides. This step is crucial for getting tender, juicy chicken!
In a mixing bowl, coat the chicken slices with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil, ensuring they are well-covered.
Place the chicken slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded. Cook for 6 minutes, flip the slices, and cook for an additional 6 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
While the chicken is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the pan, allowing it to deglaze. Remove from the heat.
Once the chicken is cooked in the air fryer, transfer it into the skillet and coat the chicken with the delicious lemon garlic sauce.
Transfer it to a serving dish. Pour the prepared lemon-garlic mixture over the chicken slices.
Sprinkle fresh parsley over the chicken, and serve the air-fried lemon chicken warm. Enjoy this flavorful and quick dish!
Storage
Store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Enjoy the chicken cold or heated.
The cold chicken is perfect for tossing on Caesar salads.
If heating your chicken, just use a microwave for 1 minute OR put the chicken on the stove & heat on medium-low for about 3 minutes. Add a little bit of oil or water to the pan to ensure it doesn’t dry out!
FAQ
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To make air fryer lemon chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
3 large skinless boneless chicken breasts, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or olive oil), 1 lemon, zested, then juiced, ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
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The air fryer lemon chicken takes about 12 minutes to cook. preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), then cook the chicken for 6 minutes on each side. This results in crisp, tender, and juicy chicken with a golden brown crust.
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For air frying with lemon, boneless chicken is recommended. Boneless chicken cooks more quickly and evenly in the air fryer, allowing for a faster and more efficient cooking process. Additionally, boneless chicken breasts or thighs are easier to slice or pound thin, which helps to ensure tender and juicy results. However, if you prefer bone-in chicken, you can still air fry it with lemon, but you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature.
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You can use frozen chicken for air fryer lemon chicken. However, it is important to thaw the chicken before cooking it in the air fryer to ensure that it cooks evenly and thoroughly. Thawing can be done by placing the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost setting on your microwave. Once the chicken is thawed, you can follow the same recipe and cooking instructions.
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You can definitely use other citrus fruits instead of fresh lemon juice for this chicken recipe. The citrus zest and juice add a bright and tangy flavor to the dish, so you can experiment with different fruits to suit your taste preferences. Some great alternatives to lemon include lime, orange, grapefruit, or even a combination of different citrus fruits. Just make sure to adjust the quantity of zest and juice according to the fruit you choose, as the intensity of flavor can vary. Have fun exploring different citrus flavors in your air-fried chicken!
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Lemon zest and lemon juice are the best combo! The lemon zest adds a bright and intense citrus flavor to dishes, while lemon juice provides a tangy and acidic taste. Together, they create a delicious and well-rounded flavor profile for the chicken. In this recipe, the lemon zest is added to the garlic sauce to enhance the lemon flavor even more.
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For best results, It's important to cut the chicken breasts into thin slices or pound them thin with a meat mallet. This helps to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and quickly, preventing it from drying out.
Make sure to dry the chicken slices with a paper towel before seasoning them. This removes any excess moisture that could contribute to the chicken becoming dry.
Season the chicken evenly with salt and pepper on both sides. This step is crucial for adding the best flavor and ensuring that the chicken is well-seasoned throughout.
Coat the chicken slices with avocado oil before placing them in the air fryer. This helps to keep the chicken moist and prevents it from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Cook the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Crowding the chicken can prevent proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking.
Be mindful of the cooking time. Overcooking the chicken in the hot air of the air fryer can lead to dryness. A great way to check if the meat is ready is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
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The great thing about this recipe is that it's versatile and can be enjoyed in different ways.
For meal prepping, you can store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can then use it as a protein option for your meal prep lunches or dinners throughout the week. The chicken pieces pair well with a variety of sides such as roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a side salad.
If you want to make sandwiches, simply slice the leftover chicken and layer it onto your favorite bread or buns. You can add some lettuce, tomato, and your preferred condiments to create a delicious lemon chicken sandwich. It's a quick and easy option for a satisfying lunch or snack.
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The air fryer lemon chicken recipe can be easily adapted to different cuts of chicken such as boneless skinless chicken thighs, wings, or even chicken tenders. Just adjust the time for cooking chicken accordingly, as different cuts of chicken may require different cooking times. For example, chicken wings may take a little longer to cook compared to chicken breasts. You can also experiment with different seasonings or marinades to customize the flavor to your liking. The versatility of the air fryer makes it a great tool for cooking various cuts of chicken with delicious results.
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Italian seasoning: Sprinkle some Italian seasoning over the chicken before cooking to add a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
Onion powder: Add a pinch of onion powder to give the chicken a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
Lemon pepper seasoning: If you want to intensify the lemon flavor, try using lemon pepper seasoning instead of just salt and pepper.
Garlic powder: If you love garlic, sprinkle some garlic powder over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.
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Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Follow the same steps for preparing the chicken as mentioned in the recipe. Instead of placing the chicken slices in the air fryer basket, place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15-20 minutes.
Stovetop: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, to the skillet. Follow the same steps for preparing the chicken as mentioned in the recipe. Cook the chicken slices in the skillet for about 4-5 minutes per side or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Follow the same steps for preparing the chicken as mentioned in the recipe. Place the chicken slices on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until they are cooked through and grill marks appear.
This easy air fryer lemon garlic chicken recipe is a perfect choice for home cooks seeking a delicious and quick meal. With just a few simple ingredients and just 15 minutes of cook time, you can enjoy tender, crispy, and flavorful chicken. Whether you enjoy the chicken cold on salads or heated up for a warm meal, this recipe is incredibly versatile and so good!
Easy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 lemon, zested then juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the chicken.
- Cut the chicken breasts into thin slices lengthwise or use a meat mallet to pound them thin.
- Dry the chicken slices with a paper towel, and then season evenly with salt and pepper on both sides. This step is crucial for getting tender, juicy chicken!
- In a mixing bowl, coat the chicken slices with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil, ensuring they are well-covered.
- Place the chicken slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded. Cook for 6 minutes, flip the slices, and cook for an additional 6 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
- While the chicken is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the pan, allowing it to deglaze. Remove from the heat.
- Once the chicken is cooked in the air fryer, transfer it into the skillet and coat the chicken with the delicious lemon garlic sauce.
- Transfer it to a serving dish. Pour the prepared lemon-garlic mixture over the chicken slices.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley over the chicken, and serve the air-fried lemon chicken warm. Enjoy this flavorful and quick dish!
I am someone who has a hard time paying $6 for a specialty drink I could (probably) make at home, let alone with more wholesome ingredients. So I had to try it. Troy and I put our minds to the test to come up with a copycat version of this Starbucks, Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso.