Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Air fryer parmesan crusted chicken is an easy dinner ready in 20 minutes. Makes for tender and juicy chicken breasts with crispy golden crusts and a ‘deep-fried’ taste. No oil needed!

If you can’t get enough of easy chicken recipes, here are two more: chicken fajitas with bell peppers made in the skillet, and air fryer buffalo chicken tenders. Mmm!

Can’t say no to fried chicken? The loaded-with-cheese, soaked-in-oil kind that is crunchy at first bite and tender and juicy inside? I can’t either and I don’t know anyone who can!

Well, you don’t have to go on a massive guilt trip any more. You can get that same kind of decadent deliciousness without the frightful amount of oil, mess and not to mention calories with this little kitchen gadget called the air fryer. Air fryer, where were you when I was growing up?

This air-fried parmesan-crusted chicken has the deep-fried look and taste of its more conventionally cooked (but unhealthy) cousin, but it is made without a drop of oil, pinky promise. Score!

Skeptical? Try it and see. And if you are already a convert and don’t need any convincing, you know what I’m talking about. Read on.

Ingredients

Note: Exact amounts are mentioned in the recipe card further down.

Chicken breasts – skinless, boneless, and sliced horizontally in half for faster cooking.
Mayonnaise – makes the chicken soft and tender and helps the dry coating to stick to the meat.
Parmesan cheese, grated – freshly grated is always better for maximum taste and even melting.
Panko breadcrumbs – these are lighter than regular breadcrumbs and much crispier.
Garlic powder – for flavor. You can also use fresh garlic, but it tends to get charred easily.
Italian seasoning or the dried herbs of your choice – instead of Italian seasoning, you can also use parsley, thyme, rosemary or any other dried herbs that you like.
Paprika
Black pepper – freshly ground
Sea salt

Instructions

Preparation

1. Slice each chicken breast horizontally into two halves with a sharp knife. This takes just a minute and ensures faster cooking in the air fryer.

2. Make sure the chicken breasts are dry (pat them with kitchen towels if not). Using a butter knife, spread the mayonnaise on both sides of the chicken.

3. Take a wide and shallow bowl and add the parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and sea salt. Combine the ingredients with a fork or spoon.

4. Dredge the chicken breasts in the above coating, doing first one side and then the other. Pat down so the coating sticks to the meat.

Cooking

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380 F and set the timer to 12 minutes.

2. Arrange the chicken breasts in the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for the time set, flipping the breasts halfway through the cooking.

3. Serve hot out of the fryer with a sauce or dip and the accompaniments of your choice. If you want, you can slice the meat for easier serving.