If you’re looking for a healthy, easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor and ready in under 20 minutes, this Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Breast is exactly what you need. It’s juicy, herb-marinated chicken breast cooked to perfection in the air fryer, paired with crisp-tender green beans for a complete, low-carb meal. And the best part? No breading required!
I make this recipe all the time when I want something light, satisfying, and fast. The Mediterranean marinade is simple—just olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs—but it transforms plain chicken into something truly crave-worthy. Plus, the air fryer makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the chicken moist every single time.
Whether you’re meal prepping or need a last-minute dinner idea, you’re going to love this one!
Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Chicken Breast
✅ Healthy & Low-Carb: No breading, no problem! This dish is naturally gluten-free, keto-friendly, and packed with protein.
✅ Quick & Easy: Marinate ahead of time, then toss everything into the air fryer—dinner is ready in about 15 minutes!
✅ Versatile: Pair with veggies, salads, or even slice it for wraps and bowls.
✅ Kid-Friendly: The herbs and lemony flavor are subtle enough that even picky eaters enjoy it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for this Mediterranean-inspired marinade and quick air fryer dinner:
For the Chicken Marinade:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional:
1 ½ cups green beans, trimmed (for a complete one-basket meal)
Jenny’s Tip: You can prep the chicken the night before and just pop it in the air fryer when you’re ready to eat. Great for busy weeknights!
How to Make Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Breast
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a small bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and coat well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. This helps the chicken cook evenly and develop a slight golden crust.
3. Cook the Chicken
Place the marinated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 375°F for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
If using green beans: Add them to the air fryer during the second half of cooking. Toss with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir or shake once or twice to cook evenly.
Tips for Juicy Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Don’t skip preheating. A hot basket gives you that sear-like effect.
Size matters. Thicker chicken breasts may take closer to 14 minutes. If needed, slice larger breasts in half to reduce cooking time.
Use a meat thermometer. It’s the easiest way to avoid dry, overcooked chicken.
Serving Suggestions
This Mediterranean chicken breast pairs beautifully with:
A fresh Greek salad (minus the bread—still on theme!)
Roasted or air-fried veggies
Cauliflower rice or quinoa
A simple tzatziki sauce for dipping
Make It Ahead
This recipe is meal-prep friendly. I love marinating a batch on Sunday, then air frying portions during the week for easy lunches or dinners. It reheats well and stays juicy!
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this air fryer Mediterranean chicken breast has become one of my go-to meals when I want something quick, healthy, and delicious. I love how the lemony-herb marinade brings the chicken to life without needing any breading or heavy sauce. Add in those crispy green beans and it’s a full meal with barely any effort.
Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
Print
Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Breast
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Juicy, garlic-herb marinated Mediterranean chicken breast air-fried to perfection in just 15 minutes—served with green beans for a light, healthy, low-carb meal without breading.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups green beans (optional)
Instructions
In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
Place chicken in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 minutes.
Flip chicken, add seasoned green beans (if using), and air fry for another 5–8 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 165°F.
Rest chicken for 3 minutes before slicing. Serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 290kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 35g