Name: Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 pieces chicken breasts; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; to taste salt; to taste pepper; as needed olive oil spray

If you're craving a tasty dinner that's both crispy and simple, you’re in the right place! This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe brings you a crunchy delight that’s sure to impress. With juicy chicken breasts coated in rich Parmesan and seasoned breadcrumbs, you’ll have a dish everyone loves. Let’s dive into how to make this quick and satisfying meal in just minutes!

$- 4 chicken breasts - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned preferred) - 1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 large eggs - Olive oil spray The main ingredients are simple yet key to a great dish. Chicken breasts provide a juicy base. Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty flavor. Breadcrumbs give the chicken a nice crunch. The seasoning and coating are just as important. Garlic powder brings a bold taste. Italian seasoning adds warmth and depth. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. For additional ingredients, eggs help the coating stick. Olive oil spray is vital for crispiness. It helps achieve that golden crust we all love. This combination makes a delightful meal. You can easily find these ingredients at your local store. Now, let’s get cooking! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step takes about 5 minutes. Preheating makes sure the chicken cooks evenly and gets nice and crispy. In a shallow bowl, whisk two large eggs. Add one tablespoon of garlic powder, one tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix this until it is smooth. In another bowl, combine one cup of grated Parmesan cheese with one cup of breadcrumbs. I prefer Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for added flavor. Make sure these two are well mixed too. Take each chicken breast and dip it into the egg mixture. Be sure to let any extra egg drip off. Next, coat the chicken with the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure it sticks well. This is where the crunch comes from! Now, lightly spray each coated chicken breast with olive oil. This helps create a golden brown crust. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping for even cooking. Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even crispiness. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). When done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy your crunchy delight! To get that crunchy texture, use olive oil spray. This helps the coating turn golden brown. A light mist works best. It ensures even cooking and crispiness. Make sure to cook the chicken in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the pieces. This lets hot air circulate freely around each piece. The result? A perfectly crispy crust! The ideal internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check this. It assures your chicken is safe to eat and juicy inside. Flipping the chicken halfway through cooking helps it brown evenly. This step makes a big difference. It keeps both sides crispy and delicious. Garnish your finished chicken with fresh parsley. It adds color and a nice touch. You can also squeeze some lemon juice over it for extra zest. Serve the chicken on a bright platter. This makes the meal look more inviting. Pair it with a green salad or steamed veggies for a complete dish. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh chicken breasts and high-quality Parmesan cheese will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly. Monitor Cooking Time: Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye on the chicken to prevent overcooking and ensure the perfect golden crust. Let It Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps retain its juices for a more succulent bite. Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices to the breadcrumb mixture for a personalized flavor twist. {{image_2}} You can change some ingredients if needed. For breadcrumbs, try crushed cornflakes or panko. These options give a great crunch too. If you're watching salt, use low-sodium Parmesan cheese. This keeps the flavor but lowers the salt content. Add spices to make it your own. Try smoked paprika for a smoky taste. A pinch of cayenne gives a nice kick. You can also mix in dried herbs like thyme or oregano. Fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, add a bright touch. Squeeze some lemon juice on top for a zesty finish. Pair your chicken with sides that balance the meal. A fresh green salad or roasted veggies works well. For sauces, a tangy marinara or creamy ranch complements the chicken nicely. Serve it all on a colorful platter for a feast for the eyes too. To keep your Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken fresh, store it in the fridge. Place the chicken in an airtight container. This helps keep it moist and flavorful. You can keep it for up to three days. Before you store it, let it cool down. Hot food can create steam, which makes it soggy. When it comes to reheating, the air fryer is best. It keeps the chicken crispy. Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Heat for about 5-7 minutes. Check that the chicken is warm throughout. If you use the oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 10-15 minutes, but the chicken may not be as crunchy. If you want to save some chicken for later, freezing is a great choice. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze the chicken for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Cooking air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken takes about 12 to 15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) first. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Check that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures it is safe to eat and has a nice, golden crust. Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. However, you should first thaw them. Thawing ensures even cooking and better texture. You can do this overnight in the fridge or in cold water for about an hour. Once thawed, follow the same steps as fresh chicken for the best results. This recipe is not gluten-free as it uses breadcrumbs. To make it gluten-free, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can also use crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal. These alternatives work well and still give your chicken that tasty crunch. In this post, we explored how to make air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken. We discussed the key ingredients like chicken breasts, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs. We covered simple steps to prepare and cook, ensuring a crispy finish. You learned tips for seasoning, serving, and storing leftovers. By using these methods, you can enjoy a tasty meal with less fuss. Give it a try, and savor the delight of homemade air-fried goodness!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy Cooking Method: Using an air fryer allows for a crispy texture without the excess oil, keeping the dish lighter.
Flavor-Packed: The combination of Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning creates a deliciously savory crust that elevates the chicken.
Versatile Pairing: This chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, from salads to vegetables, making it a flexible option for any meal.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned preferred)

Seasoning and Coating

1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Additional Ingredients

2 large eggs
Olive oil spray

The main ingredients are simple yet key to a great dish. Chicken breasts provide a juicy base. Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty flavor. Breadcrumbs give the chicken a nice crunch.

The seasoning and coating are just as important. Garlic powder brings a bold taste. Italian seasoning adds warmth and depth. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors.

For additional ingredients, eggs help the coating stick. Olive oil spray is vital for crispiness. It helps achieve that golden crust we all love.

This combination makes a delightful meal. You can easily find these ingredients at your local store. Now, let’s get cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step takes about 5 minutes. Preheating makes sure the chicken cooks evenly and gets nice and crispy.

Preparing the Chicken Coating

In a shallow bowl, whisk two large eggs. Add one tablespoon of garlic powder, one tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix this until it is smooth.

In another bowl, combine one cup of grated Parmesan cheese with one cup of breadcrumbs. I prefer Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for added flavor. Make sure these two are well mixed too.

Coating the Chicken

Take each chicken breast and dip it into the egg mixture. Be sure to let any extra egg drip off. Next, coat the chicken with the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure it sticks well. This is where the crunch comes from!

Cooking the Chicken

Now, lightly spray each coated chicken breast with olive oil. This helps create a golden brown crust. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping for even cooking.

Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even crispiness. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). When done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy your crunchy delight!

Tips & Tricks

Achieving the Perfect Crisp

To get that crunchy texture, use olive oil spray. This helps the coating turn golden brown. A light mist works best. It ensures even cooking and crispiness.

Make sure to cook the chicken in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the pieces. This lets hot air circulate freely around each piece. The result? A perfectly crispy crust!

Ensuring Proper Cooking

The ideal internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check this. It assures your chicken is safe to eat and juicy inside.

Flipping the chicken halfway through cooking helps it brown evenly. This step makes a big difference. It keeps both sides crispy and delicious.

Presentation Suggestions

Garnish your finished chicken with fresh parsley. It adds color and a nice touch. You can also squeeze some lemon juice over it for extra zest.

Serve the chicken on a bright platter. This makes the meal look more inviting. Pair it with a green salad or steamed veggies for a complete dish.

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh chicken breasts and high-quality Parmesan cheese will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly.
Monitor Cooking Time: Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye on the chicken to prevent overcooking and ensure the perfect golden crust.
Let It Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps retain its juices for a more succulent bite.
Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices to the breadcrumb mixture for a personalized flavor twist.

Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

You can change some ingredients if needed. For breadcrumbs, try crushed cornflakes or panko. These options give a great crunch too. If you're watching salt, use low-sodium Parmesan cheese. This keeps the flavor but lowers the salt content.

Flavor Additions

Add spices to make it your own. Try smoked paprika for a smoky taste. A pinch of cayenne gives a nice kick. You can also mix in dried herbs like thyme or oregano. Fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, add a bright touch. Squeeze some lemon juice on top for a zesty finish.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your chicken with sides that balance the meal. A fresh green salad or roasted veggies works well. For sauces, a tangy marinara or creamy ranch complements the chicken nicely. Serve it all on a colorful platter for a feast for the eyes too.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken fresh, store it in the fridge. Place the chicken in an airtight container. This helps keep it moist and flavorful. You can keep it for up to three days. Before you store it, let it cool down. Hot food can create steam, which makes it soggy.

Reheating Instructions

When it comes to reheating, the air fryer is best. It keeps the chicken crispy. Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Heat for about 5-7 minutes. Check that the chicken is warm throughout. If you use the oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 10-15 minutes, but the chicken may not be as crunchy.

Freezing Options

If you want to save some chicken for later, freezing is a great choice. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze the chicken for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs

How long does it take to cook air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken?

Cooking air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken takes about 12 to 15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) first. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Check that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures it is safe to eat and has a nice, golden crust.

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. However, you should first thaw them. Thawing ensures even cooking and better texture. You can do this overnight in the fridge or in cold water for about an hour. Once thawed, follow the same steps as fresh chicken for the best results.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is not gluten-free as it uses breadcrumbs. To make it gluten-free, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can also use crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal. These alternatives work well and still give your chicken that tasty crunch.

In this post, we explored how to make air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken. We discussed the key ingredients like chicken breasts, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs. We covered simple steps to prepare and cook, ensuring a crispy finish. You learned tips for seasoning, serving, and storing leftovers. By using these methods, you can enjoy a tasty meal with less fuss. Give it a try, and savor the delight of homemade air-fried goodnes

Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Crispy and flavorful chicken breasts coated with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, cooked to perfection in an air fryer.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces chicken breasts
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt
to taste pepper
as needed olive oil spray

Instructions

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
In another bowl, mix the grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs together until evenly distributed.
Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
Then, coat the chicken with the Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres well.
Lightly spray each coated chicken breast with olive oil to promote crispiness.
Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden brown.
Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Notes

Serve on a vibrant platter with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for garnish.

Keyword air fryer, chicken, crusted, parmesan

Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Crunchy Delight

Why I Love This Recipe