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My Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts recipe is so simple, you’ll wish you had tried it sooner! The bright, citrusy marinade infuses the chicken with bold flavor—without breading that adds extra calories. While air frying lean proteins like chicken breast can sometimes cause dryness, a good marinade ensures every bite stays tender and juicy.
🛒 Marinated Chicken in Air Fryer Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make marinated chicken in an air fryer:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ tablespoon each: orange zest, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, fresh-squeezed lime juice, extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
The most important tip for success is choosing the right size chicken breasts. If yours are smaller or larger than what I used, the air frying time will vary. Extra-large chicken breasts often dry out on the outside before they cook through in the center.
For the best results, use chicken breasts that weigh 5-6 ounces (142-170 g) each, and are about ½-inch (1.27 cm) thick. If your chicken is too thick, use a mallet and knife to flatten and trim it.
You can also air fry marinated bone-in, skin-on chicken, but keep in mind that it will take longer to cook than the boneless, skinless version in this recipe.
This method works with most air fryers, including Ninja Foodi, Cosori, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Philips, and Power Air Fryer. However, depending on your air fryer model, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
For the best flavor, always use fresh citrus juice in your marinade—bottled juice won’t give you the same bright, fresh taste. If you don’t have a juicer or zester, small manual ones are affordable and easy to find.
Finally, a digital meat thermometer is a must-have for cooking poultry safely. Chicken should always be cooked to a safe internal temperature to prevent foodborne illness. If you regularly prepare meat, poultry, or fish, this is an essential tool for your kitchen.
➕ How to Air Fry Marinated Chicken
The first thing to do is make the chicken marinade. Juice and zest the oranges, lemon, and lime. Try to zest mostly the orange, yellow, or green part of the rind. Too much white pith in your zest can make your marinade bitter.
Next, mince the garlic cloves. Mix the juice, sugar, zest, olive oil, cumin, and garlic together. Your marinade is complete!
Put your chicken breasts in a food safe container or Ziplock bag. Pour in the marinade to cover the chicken. Seal the bag (or cover the container) and allow the chicken to marinate for 4-8 hours in the refrigerator.
How long can you keep marinated chicken in the fridge?
For the best texture and flavor, marinate chicken in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. According to the USDA, marinating for more than 48 hours can start breaking down the meat, making it mushy.
After the marinating time is up, discard the marinade and put the chicken in the air fryer basket.
Don’t try to save used chicken marinades. Once they’ve had raw chicken sitting in them, they should be discarded.
How long to cook marinated chicken in the air fryer?
Air fry marinated chicken for a total of 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175C). Flip the chicken after the first 8 minutes of cooking.
Check with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken to ensure it is done. The minimum safe internal temp for chicken is 165F (74C). For classic grill marks like in the photos, you can finish the chicken in a grill pan on the stovetop. 
Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken breast, making it extra moist.
Marinated Chicken Storage
Fully cooked, marinated chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the air fryer.
Marinated chicken also freezes well. For best results, vacuum seal it or use food-safe freezer bags, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing.
Use leftover chicken in soups, casseroles, soft tacos, nachos, or chicken salad. Making extra is a great way to have a quick and easy protein source for meal prepping!
Watch How to Make It!
Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 5-6 ounces (142-170 g) each; ½-inch (1.27 cm) thick
- 3 tablespoons orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- ½ tablespoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
- ½ tablespoon orange zest
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Start by making the chicken marinade. Juice and zest the orange, lemon, and lime. (A manual juicer and microplane are handy tools here!)
- Mince the garlic cloves and mix them with the juices, sugar, zest, olive oil, and cumin. Your marinade is complete!
- Put your chicken breasts in a food safe container or Ziplock bag. Pour in the marinade to cover the chicken. Seal the bag (or cover the container) and allow the chicken to marinate for 4-8 hours in the refrigerator. If the chicken is not completely immersed in the marinade, flip it every few hours.
- Discard the marinade and place the chicken in a single layer in the hot air fryer basket.Air fry the marinated chicken for 10-12 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Flip the chicken after 8 minutes.
- Check the thickest part of the chicken breasts with a meat thermometer. The minimum safe internal temp for chicken is 165°F (74°C).Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Is air-fried chicken healthy? Air-frying chicken is generally a healthier alternative to deep frying because it requires less added oil. As a result, air-fried chicken is often lower in calories, lower in saturated fat, and more nutrient-dense. Among different chicken options, skinless white meat, like chicken breast, is the leanest choice. While nearly fat-free ground chicken can be even leaner, chicken breast remains a great option for those looking for a high-protein, low-fat meal. The main challenge with white meat is that it tends to dry out more quickly than dark meat. Using a flavorful marinade helps keep the chicken juicy and tender while adding extra flavor. This method is one of the lowest-calorie ways to prepare air-fried chicken while maintaining moisture. Another benefit of homemade marinades is that they are often lower in sodium than many store-bought seasoning blends and sauces, potentially making them a great option for those looking to reduce their salt intake. Chicken breast is a protein-dense food, meaning it provides a high amount of protein per calorie, making it an excellent choice for filling, low-calorie meals. It is also rich in essential nutrients, including B vitamins, phosphorus, and potassium. Nutrition information is for one serving, and counts the chicken and half the marinade (since some is discarded).
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
🥗 Side Dishes for Marinated Chicken
For a lighter, low-carb meal: Pair your chicken with non-starchy veggies like a garden salad, air fryer frozen broccoli, or pan-fried zucchini. These sides are low in calories and carbs while adding extra nutrients to your plate.
For a heartier, high-energy meal: Add starchy sides like mashed potatoes, rice, corn, peas, or frozen sweet potato fries. These options are more calorie-dense and provide a good source of carbohydrates.
Here are a few more side dish ideas for marinated chicken:
👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Looking for more air fryer recipes for chicken? Try these next:
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂