Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Printable)

Crispy parmesan-coated chicken air fried to golden perfection. Juicy inside, crunchy outside, ready in 33 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tablespoons milk

→ For Spraying

11 - Olive oil spray

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, pound to even thickness (about 3/4 inch).
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
04 - In another shallow bowl, combine panko, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
05 - Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, coating completely, then press into the parmesan breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even, thick crust.
06 - Lightly spray both sides of the coated chicken breasts with olive oil spray.
07 - Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
08 - Air fry for 9 minutes, flip, spray again lightly, and air fry for another 7-9 minutes until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
09 - Let rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The parmesan creates this incredible salty crunch that you might mistake for restaurant food
  • Clean up takes five minutes flat, leaving you more time to actually enjoy dinner
02 -
  • Dont skip the oil spray on the second flip, that is exactly what creates the gorgeous golden brown finish
  • Overcrowding the basket makes the chicken steam instead of crisp, so cook in batches if needed
03 -
  • Pound your chicken to even thickness before starting, this one step prevents dry edges and undercooked centers
  • Use grated parmesan from the wedge rather than the shaker can for better melting and flavor

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