Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
A quick and easy recipe for Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken that yields crispy, flavorful chicken breasts coated with a garlicky mayo and Parmesan panko crust. Perfect for a healthy, delicious weeknight dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
Garlic Mayo Coating
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Parmesan Panko Crust
- 1 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other
- Olive oil spray (for basket coating)
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and let it preheat. This ensures a hot environment to start crisping the chicken immediately.
- Prepare Chicken Breasts: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thinner pieces total. Place one piece between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound it with a meat tenderizer until even and thin. Repeat for all pieces to ensure uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Mix Garlic Mayo Coating: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and minced garlic and stir well. This mixture will add moisture and infuse the chicken with garlic flavor.
- Coat Chicken: Spread the garlic mayo evenly all over each chicken piece, ensuring full coverage for adhesion of the breadcrumb crust.
- Prepare Parmesan Panko Mixture: In a shallow bowl, mix together the Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Breadcrumb the Chicken: Press each mayo-coated chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly and pressing down to help the crumbs stick well.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Avoid using PAM or non-olive oil sprays as they can damage some baskets.
- Cook Chicken: Place the coated chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 8 minutes at 390°F, then carefully flip each piece and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve warm. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley on top for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure crispiness.
- Using plastic wrap to pound chicken helps avoid mess and keeps the chicken even for uniform cooking.
- Adjust cooking times slightly depending on the thickness of chicken pieces and your air fryer model.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish but can be omitted or substituted with other herbs like basil or chives.
- Mayonnaise helps keep the chicken moist and tender while also helping the crust adhere properly.
