Air Fryer Cajun Chicken

These Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Breasts are juicy, tender and coated in a delicious spice blend using a handful of spices you likely already have in your pantry. This is the perfect air fryer chicken recipe to make for a quick and easy dinner and the chicken is fantastic served with salad, in a salad, wrap or pasta. 

This Air Fryer Cajun Chicken has become a staple in my house that I make at least once a week. The chicken is incredibly easy to make and perfect for those nights when I am in need of chicken to add to a salad, or serve as a rice bowl. It’s incredibly flavorful and a great protein to have ready in your fridge for meal prep. This air fryer chicken is moist, tender and perfectly cooked every single time. 

Why You Will Love This Cajun Air Fryer Chicken Recipe

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• This cajun chicken is perfect for those nights that you need an easy protein to serve for a quick dinner. Start to finish it takes less than 20 minutes, with only a few minutes of prep time and zero marinating required, before for busy weeknights. 
• The chicken is coated in a delicious blend of spices that give it so much bold flavour, this is definitely not your average chicken breast recipe. Best of all it requires simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry cupboard. 
• These flavorful chicken breasts are so versatile! They can be added to salads, wraps, rice bowls, pasta or enjoyed on its own. 
• There is no risk of ending up with dry chicken breasts with this recipe, I guarantee moist and juicy air fryer chicken breasts every time!  
• This air fryer chicken breast recipe is great to meal prep and have on hand to add to meals all week long.  
• When it comes to cooking chicken breasts, you could pan fry them on the stovetop, but cooking the chicken in an air fryer is a much healthier way to prepare them because requires a lot less oil

 

Can I Use A Different Cut Of Chicken

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If you do not have boneless chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used in their place. Because chicken breasts are a lean cut of meat, the white meat tends to dry out faster than the dark meat of chicken thighs. If you are using bone in chicken breasts, I recommend increasing the cooking time by 5 minutes. 

 

 

Can I Make This Air Fryer Chicken With Frozen Chicken Breasts?

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I know the feeling, it’s 5 o’clock and those chicken breasts you thought were ready and waiting in your fridge have disappeared. Don’t stress, you can grab some chicken breasts from the freezer and use them instead. Start by preheating the air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit. Drizzle the frozen chicken breasts in olive oil and then smother them in the spice mixture. Place them in the air fryer to cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. From freezer to the dinner table in less than 25 minutes, so easy! 

 

 

What Spices Are In The Cajun Spice Mix?

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There are no fancy spices required to make this homemade cajun seasoning mix, it uses only spices and herbs that you likely already have in your cupboard.

• Paprika – This adds that nice red “cajun” colour to the chicken. I like using smoked paprika but any type of paprika you have would work. 
• Oregano – I recommend using dried rather than fresh. 
• Garlic Powder 
• Onion Powder
• Thyme 
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Cayenne Powder – I would rate these chicken breasts as a 6 on the spiciness scale. If you want them to have a real kick of spice I would suggest increasing the amount of cayenne pepper to 2 teaspoons. If you do not have cayenne pepper it can be substituted for chili powder. 

 

 

Are These Cajun Chicken Breasts Spicy?

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Based on my tolerance for spice, I would give these cajun chicken breasts a 6/10 heat level. They have a nice kick but it’s not overpowering and won’t cause your eyes to water and nose to run. If super spicy is more your thing then I would suggest adding an additional 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder. If you are serving this chicken to kids or anyone who does not like spice then I would recommend reducing the amount of cayenne powder to ½ teaspoon (or skipping it altogether). 

 

 

Can I Use A Store Bought Cajun Spice Blend Instead?

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You can although I personally don’t recommend it. A lot of premade spice blends contain preservatives or anti binding agents which are not good for you (and not allowed on Whole30 or the Specific Carbohydrate Diet). I also like having the option of adjusting the level of spice, saltiness etc by quickly mixing together my own cajun seasoning blend rather than buying one that’s already mixed. 

 

 

How To Make Cajun Chicken Breasts In The Air Fryer

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1. Start by patting both sides of the boneless skinless chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Removing any excess moisture from the raw chicken will help create a crust as the breasts cook and also ensure that the spice mixture sticks well to the breasts. 
2. In a small bowl combine all of the spices. Rub olive oil all over each boneless chicken breast and then generously season them with the spice mix. Gently pat the homemade seasoning onto the chicken breasts to ensure the seasoning sticks well in an even layer. 
3. Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer ensuring that they don’t overlap and cook them for 15 minutes at 370° Fahrenheit (or longer depending on the size, you can find more details below). Flip the chicken breasts over half way through cooking to ensure they cook evenly. The chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit or when you slice into the thickest part of the breasts and the juices run clear. I recommend placing the chicken breasts on a cutting board and leaving them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 

You can find step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.  

 

How Long Should I Cook The Chicken In The Air Fryer

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Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts that you are using the cooking time may differ slightly, but I recommend using similar sized large breasts that are all of even thickness.  As a general rule, use the following cook times based off the size of the chicken breasts you are using:

• 6-7 oz Chicken Breasts: cook at 370° Fahrenheit for 15 minutes
• 8-9 oz Chicken Breasts: cook at 370° Fahrenheit for 18 minutes
• 10-12 oz Chicken Breasts: cook at 370° Fahrenheit for 20-22 minutes

I recommend using a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken breast for doneness. The chicken is done cooking when an instant-read thermometer shows an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

 

 

What Should I Serve With This Cajun Air Fryer Chicken?

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This cajun chicken is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it on its own with some simple veggie sides such as roasted broccoli, steamed asparagus or roasted green beans. Alternatively you can cut it up and serve it on top of a salad, it’s fantastic served with this caesar salad, or in this Greek Salad with Cauliflower Couscous. Alternatively you could cut it up and serve it in a lettuce wrap like this BLT wrap, or between lettuce buns as a burger. For a carb heavy option the juicy chicken breasts can be cut up and added to pasta with a creamy sauce (using heavy cream or coconut milk) to make cajun chicken pasta. 

 

 

What About Leftovers?

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Leftover cajun chicken will last for up to 4 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container. I find this air fryer chicken is great for meal prepping, I like to make it on a Sunday and then have in the fridge as a quick and easy protein to add to big salads or rice bowls for an easy dinner or lunch all week long. I recommend reheating the spicy cajun chicken in the air fryer, or in a stainless steel large skillet on medium-high heat until warmed through. 

 

 

Here are a few more air fryer recipes that you might enjoy:

• Sesame Crusted Air Fryer Tuna Steak with Wasabi Mayo
• Air Fryer Korean Chicken 
• Air Fryer Halibut with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce
• Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Mint Sauce
• Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Bites

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If you make this Cajun Air Fryer Chicken recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!

 

This post was published on June 28. 2024.