Craving crispy, flavorful chicken without the guilt? This air fryer parmesan crusted chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in a fraction of the time! This quick and easy method utilizes the magic of your air fryer to create perfectly cooked chicken with a golden, crunchy parmesan crust. Get ready to enjoy a healthy, delicious meal the whole family will love with this air fryer parmesan crusted chicken.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Achieve restaurant-worthy crispiness without deep frying.
- Enjoy tender, juicy chicken every time.
- It’s a super quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- This recipe uses minimal oil, making it a healthier choice. Studies suggest that air frying can significantly cut down on the overall fat content compared to deep frying, as highlighted by Healthline. Explore the health benefits of air frying.
- It’s family-friendly, with flavors that everyone will enjoy and easy to customize.
If you love this kind of crispiness, you’ll also enjoy these air fryer chicken tenders—perfect for a family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Olive oil spray
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Notes & Substitutions
- Chicken Breast Preparation: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness is crucial for even cooking.
- Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise acts as a binder and adds moisture. You can substitute it with an egg wash if preferred.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko crumbs create a lighter, crispier crust than regular breadcrumbs.
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully and offers the best flavor, but pre-grated works too.
- Seasoning: Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking, or add other spices like garlic powder or paprika.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free panko bread crumbs for a gluten-free version.
For another creamy twist on garlic and parmesan, don’t miss this comforting garlic parmesan chicken pasta.
Equipment
To make this air fryer parmesan crusted chicken, you’ll need the following equipment:
- An air fryer is essential for this recipe!
- A meat tenderizer for pounding the chicken.
- Two shallow bowls for the mayo mixture and breadcrumb mixture.
- Olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make perfect air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
- Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally to create four thinner breasts. Place one thin breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound with a meat tenderizer until it’s an even thickness. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and minced garlic until well combined. Spread the garlic mayo evenly over all sides of the chicken breasts.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Place a chicken breast into the bread crumb mixture, pressing down gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere. Flip and coat the other side. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Coat the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 8 minutes.
- Flip the chicken breasts gently.
- Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should register 165°F (74°C). For safe food handling, the USDA recommends cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Learn more about safe cooking temperatures for poultry.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Ensure even chicken thickness by pounding to prevent uneven cooking.
- Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken for the crispiest coating.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Monitor the chicken closely during cooking to avoid overcooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
- Always use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Prevent soggy breading by not overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Craving more bite-sized air fryer goodness? These air fryer popcorn chicken are crispy, golden, and addictive.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
Serve your air fryer parmesan crusted chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or your favorite pasta. A squeeze of lemon juice or a side of marinara sauce complements the flavors perfectly.
- Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- For air fryer parmesan crusted chicken tenders, cut the chicken breasts into strips before breading.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
Prefer dark meat? These flavorful air fryer boneless chicken thighs are a juicy alternative.
Nutrition
Here’s a quick look at the nutritional information for one serving of air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 237kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 11g |
| Protein | 16g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Trans Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 46mg |
| Sodium | 781mg |
| Potassium | 225mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Vitamin A | 76IU |
| Vitamin C | 1mg |
| Calcium | 81mg |
| Iron | 1mg |
Want something with a little heat? Try these sweet and spicy hot honey chicken tenders for a fun variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I use to air fry chicken?
We recommend 390°F (199°C) for this recipe to ensure the chicken cooks through while the crust gets golden and crispy.
How long should I cook chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Air fryer parmesan crusted chicken tenders typically take 6-8 minutes at 390°F (199°C), flipping halfway through. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of Panko?
Yes, but panko breadcrumbs provide a much crispier texture. If using regular breadcrumbs, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out in the air fryer?
Don’t overcook the chicken! Use a meat thermometer and remove it from the air fryer as soon as it reaches 165°F (74°C). The mayonnaise also helps keep it moist.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
es, you can bread the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before air frying.
Conclusion
This air fryer parmesan crusted chicken recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. It’s incredibly easy to make, delivers amazing flavor and that satisfying crispy crunch we all crave, but without all the unhealthy fat of deep frying. Give this simple recipe a try, and don’t forget to rate and comment below to let us know how it turned out!
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C).
- Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally, then pound each to an even thickness using plastic wrap and a meat tenderizer.
- Mix mayonnaise and minced garlic in a small bowl. Spread over both sides of the chicken cutlets.
- Combine panko bread crumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge each chicken cutlet in this mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 8 minutes at 390°F.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 5–7 minutes until crispy and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Remove and serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
- Pound chicken to even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Mayonnaise can be swapped with egg wash.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Looking for more comfort recipe like this? Come hang out with me over on Facebook and Pinterest where I drop new recipes, family favorites, and quick how-to guides almost every day.
2 thoughts on “Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken – Crispy & so Delicious !”