Air Fryer Shredded Chicken
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Shredded Chicken recipe. Quick, healthy, and versatile. Perfect for tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts room temperature, roughly 1 pound
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for 3-5 minutes, and then brush the air fryer basket with oil or spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes at 360°F (180°C), flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a cutting board or mixing bowl and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
- Using two forks or a hand mixer, shred the tender chicken into small, bite-sized shreds.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with oil and seasoning so it gets on all the chicken when it's shredded.
- You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs but you will need to adjust the cook time.
- Preheat the air fryer so the chicken cooks evenly and also reduces cooking time.
- This is a simple seasoning mix but you can use your favorite one. I love a simple garlic and onion powder mix.
- Adjust the temperature and time based on the specific model of air fryer you have. Different air fryers cook differently.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken won't cook evenly or crispy.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to make sure they get evenly browned.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices can be reabsorbed. This keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 431mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 157IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
