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16 Easy Chicken Air Fryer Recipes For Lazy Cooks

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If cooking feels like a chore lately, you’re not alone. These easy chicken air fryer recipes are perfect for anyone who wants real food without all the effort. Whether you’re short on time, low on energy, or just not in the mood to fuss over dinner, these simple meals have you covered. With quick prep, straightforward ingredients, and the magic of the air fryer, you can get a hot, home-cooked meal on the table with little effort.

Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts

Sliced grilled chicken breast garnished with parsley on a white plate.
Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

These marinated chicken breasts are quick to prep and cook in under 25 minutes, making them a smart option for days when energy is low. The marinade adds a layer of flavor that comes together without much effort. This meal works well for lunch or dinner with minimal cleanup required. It’s ideal when you want something homemade without a long list of steps.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Sliced grilled chicken breast in a white dish, with whole pieces on another plate in the background, next to a fork and dark cloth napkin.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This BBQ chicken delivers that familiar backyard flavor without needing a grill or lots of prep work. It’s ready fast and works for both weeknights and weekends when time or motivation is short. You can serve it with simple sides like salad or rice and still have a complete meal. It’s perfect when you want something bold without standing over a stove.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer Spicy Sauced Tenders

Four seasoned and sauced chicken breast fillets garnished with chopped herbs on a white plate.
Keto Air Fryer Spicy Sauced Tenders. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

These spicy sauced tenders are a good choice when you’re craving something with a little heat and don’t want to spend much time cooking. They’re done in about 20 minutes and only need a few ingredients. You don’t need to fuss with deep frying or complex techniques. They’re handy for anyone who wants flavor with barely any hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Keto Air Fryer Spicy Sauced Tenders

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Plate of sliced teriyaki chicken over white rice, topped with sesame seeds, served with snap peas and carrot slices.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Teriyaki chicken in the air fryer gives you the flavor of takeout without the wait or mess. The sauce comes together fast, and the cooking process is simple. You can pair it with rice or vegetables for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s an easy go-to when your energy is low but you still want something hot and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Close-up of a crispy air fried chicken drumstick on a white plate garnished with parsley, with hot sauce in the background.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken legs in the air fryer come out with crisp skin and juicy meat in under 30 minutes. They don’t require a lot of prep or planning, which makes them great for last-minute dinners. You can season them however you like with pantry staples. This is a practical option for nights when you want something hearty without effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Close-up of a hand holding a seasoned chicken wing garnished with fresh herbs, with more pieces on a plate in the background.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These lemon pepper wings are a solid pick when you want something quick and flavorful. They cook up crispy in the air fryer without the need for extra oil or time-consuming prep. Perfect as a snack, game day dish, or light dinner, they offer flexibility without fuss. They’re a reliable choice when motivation to cook is low.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

A piece of air fried chicken thigh on a fork, with a caramelized exterior and garnished with a small leaf, in focus against a blurred background of more chicken pieces.
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Boneless chicken thighs cook evenly in the air fryer and don’t dry out, making them a dependable choice. They’re ready in about 20 minutes and require only simple seasoning. This is a solid everyday dinner when you don’t feel like dealing with complicated meals. It’s a low-stress option that still feels home-cooked.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

A tray of chicken fajitas with bell peppers, onions, lime slices, and cilantro garnish.
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

These chicken fajitas come together fast and require only a handful of ingredients. You don’t need to stand over a stove, and cleanup is quick. They work well for lunches or weeknight dinners when you want something warm with little effort. It’s an easy option for days when your energy is limited.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Delicious Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe

Air fryer sweet and sour chicken.
Delicious Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Sweet and sour chicken in the air fryer skips the takeout wait and cleanup. It’s quick to prepare and the sauce needs only a few basic pantry items. This recipe works great for busy nights or lazy weekends. It’s a simple way to get a homemade meal without putting in a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Fried chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken tenders in the air fryer are ready fast and need very little prep. They’re a good choice for both kids and adults when time or energy is limited. You can pair them with simple dipping sauces or sides for a full meal. This is one of those go-to recipes that makes dinner feel manageable.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Air fryer fried chicken legs and thighs in a pile on a wooden cutting board.
Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This southern-style fried chicken comes out crispy without deep frying, which keeps the mess down. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and uses ingredients most people already have at home. Perfect for when you want something familiar and hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s ideal for when cooking feels like too much but you still want comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Three bacon-wrapped pieces of chicken on a white plate with a sprig of parsley and a red and white checkered cloth on the side.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These bacon wrapped chicken bites are easy to prep and cook quickly in the air fryer. They work well as a party snack or quick dinner without needing much cleanup. You only need a couple of ingredients, which makes this great when the fridge is nearly empty. It’s an option that delivers flavor without requiring energy.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

A single barbecued chicken skewer on a white plate, with a small bowl of barbecue sauce and a parsley garnish, next to a plate of additional chicken skewers.
Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These chicken skewers are simple to put together and don’t need a grill or much time. They cook quickly and are easy to serve with rice, salad, or vegetables. You can make them with minimal effort, and they still feel like a full meal. They’re helpful when you want something easy that still feels a bit fun.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This version of chicken cordon bleu skips the long prep and baking time but still comes out crisp and warm. It’s a convenient option for a dinner that looks more involved than it actually is. You can serve it with a simple side and call it done. This is a good pick when you want something that feels a little special without needing to do much.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Whole Chicken

Roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots on a white plate.
Whole Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A whole chicken in the air fryer saves time and oven space while giving you enough for multiple meals. It’s surprisingly low-effort and only takes about an hour from start to finish. You don’t need to babysit it while it cooks, which is useful on busy or low-energy days. This is a great choice when you want to cook once and eat twice.
Get the Recipe: Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Pieces of chicken on a plate of spaghetti.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken Parmesan in the air fryer takes less time and mess than the oven version. It’s good for a weeknight meal when you want something familiar but don’t want to put in too much effort. You can serve it with pasta or salad and be done in under 30 minutes. It’s a smart way to make dinner feel more complete without the usual hassle.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

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