This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes, using that magical air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will absolutely love! Want to switch up the flavors? Go ahead, toss in what you have, this is a perfect way to clean out the fridge and use up those leftovers!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for that rich and cheesy flavor)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or Italian seasoned work great!)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (to create a lovely crispy coating)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (because garlic makes everything better!)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (adds a fantastic herby note)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (a couple pinches will do)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste!)
- 2 large eggs (for binding)
- 2 tablespoons milk or water (just to loosen up that egg mix)
- Cooking spray (to help crisp things up!)
Feel free to personalize this recipe! You can easily substitute the chicken with turkey or even portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian twist. If you’re low on ingredients or just want to use up what’s hanging out in the pantry, this dish is super flexible.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Alright! Let’s dive into this super simple, quick and easy recipe that’s bound to become a go-to favorite in your house.
Prep the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable bag. Grab a meat mallet or rolling pin and pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This helps the chicken cook evenly and ensures you get that crispy crust in every bite!
Dry and Season: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. It’s important to remove excess moisture to get that crispiness! Now, in a shallow dish, combine the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, flour, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything’s evenly distributed.
Prepare the Egg Wash: In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk (or water). This is your binding agent that’ll keep that crispy coating on!
Dredging Time: Now for the fun part! Place the flour in the third shallow dish. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour first; make sure to coat all sides and shake off any excess.
Egg Bath: Dip the floured chicken into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess drip off so you’re not left with a gooey mess.
Crust it Up! Now, press the chicken into the Parmesan cheese mixture, coating both sides evenly. Gently press the crust, I usually give it a nice pat, to help it adhere.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Meanwhile, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Air Fry the Chicken: Place the Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd, they need space to get nice and crispy! You can cook them in batches if needed. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for another 5-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Keep an eye on it, timing can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and your specific air fryer settings.
Rest and Serve: Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Slice and serve with your favorite sides!
If you’re like me and always juggling a million things at once, this recipe is a lifesaver. I’m telling you, it’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time but still want to impress your family with something delicious.
If you loved this Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Pork Chops, my Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, or my Air Fryer Grilled Chicken!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food: Loaded with Tons of Flavor
There’s just something about crispy chicken that screams comfort, right? This recipe is packed with rich flavors from the Parmesan crust, and you’ll find everyone will be asking for more!
Quick & Easy: Comes Together in Under 30 Minutes
You can whip up this dish in no time, making it a perfect weeknight meal. Seriously, from prep to plate, you’re looking at 30 minutes max!
Customizable: Use Whatever Ingredients You Have
This dish is so flexible! You can switch the seasonings, use different types of cheese, or even seemlessly incorporate leftover veggies! Feeling spicy? Add some red pepper flakes for a kick!
Minimal Cleanup Required
Who doesn’t appreciate easy cleanup? With your air fryer doing the majority of the work and minimal prep dishes, you’ll be out of the kitchen and onto the couch in no time!
Serving Suggestions
Now, let’s talk sides! This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken pairs beautifully with almost anything. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Roasted veggies: Broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts are fantastic.
- Fresh salad: Toss together a simple green salad with your favorite dressing for a light touch.
- Pasta: Some garlic butter or marinara pasta makes for a cozy side, perfect for dipping that crispy chicken!
- Rice: A fluffy bed of rice, perhaps with some herbs mixed in, will complement the chicken nicely.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container for about 3-4 days. Just make sure to store them after they’ve cooled completely to avoid any sogginess.
Reheating: The best way to reheat this chicken is in the air fryer. Set it to 375°F (190°C) and heat for about 3-4 minutes until warmed through. If you don’t have your air fryer handy, a quick jaunt in the oven will do, just make sure to keep an eye on it to maintain that crunch!
Freezer Friendly: You can freeze the uncooked, breaded chicken before frying. Just lay them out on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, and then transfer to an airtight freezer bag. When you’re ready to cook, no need to thaw, just pop them straight into the air fryer and add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time!
So, there you have it! A quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious way to make Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Trust me, your family will love this dinner, and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare! Get creative, have fun in the kitchen, and enjoy every bite of dinner together!
Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free Option
Description
This incredibly delicious Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or Italian)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk or water
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable bag. Pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Combine the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, flour, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk (or water).
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip in the egg wash, letting excess drip off.
- Press the chicken into the Parmesan mixture, coating both sides evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Customize by using turkey or portobello mushrooms. This recipe is flexible with ingredients!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 250mg