Name: Air Fryer Preserved Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 lemons; 6 tablespoons kosher salt; 1 preserved lemon; 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 tbsp olive oil

This lemon chicken uses homemade preserved lemons which are super easy to make, they last forever, and they add tons of bright flavor to just about everything!You guys know I’ve been OBSESSED with my Air Fryer! I use it every single day because it cuts out the fat but keeps EVERY bit of delicious flavor. This lemon chicken uses homemade preserved meyer lemons which are super easy to make, they last forever, and they add tons of bright flavor to just about everything!

Dinner

30 m

American

Weelicious

March 13, 2026

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From the Cook

1/3

Air Fryer Preserved Lemon Chicken

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Air Fryer Preserved Lemon Chicken

For the preserved lemon

12 lemons

6 tablespoons kosher salt

For the chicken

1 preserved lemon

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

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For the preserved lemon

Start by sterilizing a 2 quart jar with boiling water. Swirl it around the jar for a minute and allow to dry naturally.

Juice 6 of the lemons and set the juice aside.

Wash the remaining 6 lemons and make 4 deep cuts/slits around the lemons without cutting through. Rub 1 tablespoon of salt in the cuts of each lemon and place in the large jar pushing them down so they fit snugly. Pour in the lemon juice just to cover the lemons. Seal the jar with it’s lid and place in a cool, dark spot for one week.

Store the jar in the refrigerator for up to a month. The longer you leave the lemons the better they get!

For the chicken

Chop 1 preserved lemon, and place in a 1 cup measure. Add enough juice from the preserved lemon jar to fill the 1 cup.

Place the lemon, chicken breasts and olive oil in a bowl and toss to coat. Set aside to marinade for 10 minutes.

Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer on 400F degrees and cook for 18-20 minutes or until cooked through.

Video Tutorial

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Pound for Even Cooking 🔨
Gently pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness before air frying to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges while centers finish cooking.
Preserved Lemon Prep Matters 🍋
Remove excess salt from preserved lemon pieces and mince finely before adding to maximize flavor distribution without overwhelming saltiness in the dish.
Oil Coating is Key 🫗
Lightly coat chicken with olive oil before air frying to promote even browning and crispiness, as the air fryer relies on oil for better texture development.
Preheat Your Air Fryer 🌡️
Allow your air fryer to preheat for 3-5 minutes at 375°F to achieve optimal cooking conditions and ensure the outside becomes golden while the inside stays juicy.
Rest Before Serving ⏱️
Let cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender and flavorful bites.