Air Fryer Low Carb Chicken
Why this recipe works
- Fast weeknight cooking: Chicken breast and courgette cook together in the air fryer, keeping the total time comfortably under 30 minutes.
- Simple seasoning, strong flavour: Garlic, smoked paprika, olive oil and black pepper give the chicken a savoury, lightly smoky coating without needing a long marinade.
- Fresh finish: Lemon juice added after cooking brightens the chicken and courgette, balancing the richness of the oil and paprika.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Keep the chicken juicy: Flatten very thick chicken breasts slightly before coating so they cook more evenly and are less likely to dry at the edges.
- Let the courgette roast: Arrange the chicken and courgette in a single layer where possible so hot air can circulate and the courgette develops golden edges.
Common mistakes
- Cooking the chicken too long: Chicken breast can dry out quickly, so check it as soon as it is browned and cooked through rather than leaving it in unnecessarily.
- Leaving the courgette in too long: If the courgette becomes tender before the chicken is ready, lift it out and keep it warm while the chicken finishes.
Ingredient notes
- Smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds depth and a gentle barbecue-like note without making the dish hot; sweet paprika gives a softer, milder flavour.
- Add lemon at the end: Squeezing lemon over the cooked chicken keeps the citrus fresh and avoids dulling its brightness during cooking.
Make-ahead tips
- Prep ahead: The courgette can be sliced and the garlic chopped in advance, then kept chilled until you are ready to coat and cook.
- Reheat properly: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot, then finish with a little fresh lemon before serving.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice the courgette into rounds about 1 cm thick. Finely chop the garlic.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil with smoked paprika, fine sea salt, black pepper, and garlic. Add the chicken breast and courgette and toss well until evenly coated.
- Heat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for 3 minutes. Arrange the chicken and courgette in the basket in a single layer where possible.
- Air-fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning the chicken and courgette halfway, until the chicken is browned, cooked through, and the courgette is tender with light golden edges. If the courgette finishes first, lift it out and keep warm while the chicken completes cooking.
- Rest the chicken for 2 minutes, then squeeze over the lemon. Serve with the courgette straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- If the chicken breasts are very thick, flatten them slightly so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Do not overcrowd the basket: cook in two rounds if needed so the courgette roasts rather than steams.
- If serving vulnerable people, ensure the chicken is piping hot throughout with no pink in the thickest part.
Substitutions
- Replace Chicken breast with Chicken thighs for a juicier result; air-fry a little longer until cooked through.
- Replace Smoked paprika with Sweet paprika for a milder seasoning.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 4 to 7 minutes until piping hot; squeeze over fresh lemon after reheating.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 28min (10min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Fusion
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Shakshuka with Feta
Eggs poached in tomato and pepper sauce with feta
Creamy Chicken Skillet with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
Seared chicken in creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
Arroz con Pollo (Cuban-Style Rice and Chicken)
One-pot Cuban-style chicken and rice with peppers and tomatoes
Cast-Iron Skillet Cornbread Chilli
Beef and bean chilli baked under a golden cornbread topping
Pollo alla Romana (Chicken Braised with Peppers in Tomato Sauce)
Chicken braised with peppers in a tomato and white wine sauce
Shrimp and Grits (Creamy Maize Grits with Bacon and Prawns)
Creamy grits topped with bacon sautéed prawns
Pasta alla Norma (Sicilian Aubergine, Tomato and Ricotta Pasta)
Sicilian pasta with fried aubergine, tomato and basil
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Air fryer cheeseburgers with melted cheddar on beef patties.
Andouillette with Creamy Dijon Mustard Sauce
Pan-fried andouillette with creamy Dijon mustard sauce
Air Fryer Vietnamese Pork Skewers
Juicy pork skewers with lemongrass, fish sauce and garlic.
Abbacchio alla Romana (Roman-Style Braised Lamb)
Roman-style braised lamb with rosemary, white wine and lemon
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables
Air-fried chicken thighs with courgette, peppers and red onion.
Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetable Traybake
Air-fried chicken thighs with vegetables, paprika and lemon.
Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Herbs
Crispy baked chicken thighs with lemon, garlic and herbs
Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breast
Air-fried chicken breast marinated with soy, lemon, garlic and honey.
Air Fryer Eggplant
Air fried aubergine with smoked paprika, garlic and lemon.
You might also like
Red-Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)
Red-braised pork belly in sweet soy glaze
Spaghetti allo Scarpariello (Neapolitan Tomato and Cheese Pasta)
Quick tomato spaghetti finished with Parmesan and pecorino
Albóndigas en Salsa de Almendras (Pork Meatballs in Almond Sauce)
Pork meatballs simmered in a smooth almond sauce
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup
Cheddar grilled cheese served with smooth tomato soup
Radish and Cultured Butter Tartine (French Open Sandwich)
Toasted sourdough tartine with cultured butter and radishes
Canh Chua (Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Soup)
Sweet and sour Vietnamese fish soup with tamarind and pineapple
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
- AUS-10 steel
- Balanced design
- Less traditional feel
Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board
- Separate surfaces for meat and produce
- Resists odors and stains
- Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
