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Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

4.8 from 138 reviews

This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken offers a crispy, golden-brown exterior with tender, juicy chicken inside. Coated with a flavorful mixture of Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and garlic, this quick and easy recipe uses an air fryer to achieve a perfectly crunchy texture without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

Seasoning

  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • Olive oil spray (for cooking)

Breading

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Pat Dry Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry using paper towels to remove moisture, which helps achieve a crispy crust during cooking.
  2. Season Chicken: In a bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and a little olive oil. Rub this mixture evenly over each chicken breast to infuse flavor.
  3. Prepare Breading Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs until well combined.
  4. Coat Chicken: Dip each seasoned chicken breast into the Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks evenly across the surface.
  5. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 3 minutes to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
  6. Arrange and Spray: Place the coated chicken breasts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray to encourage browning and crispiness.
  7. Cook Chicken: Air fry the chicken for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway if desired, until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked.
  8. Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Ensure chicken pieces are of similar thickness for even cooking; consider pounding thicker parts if needed.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture instead of pre-grated cheese.
  • For extra crispiness, lightly spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil spray before air frying.
  • Internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) guarantees safe cooking; use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
  • Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.

Keywords: air fryer chicken, parmesan crusted chicken, crispy chicken, healthy fried chicken, easy chicken recipe