Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Air Fryer Recipe)

Crispy, cheesy, and cooked to perfection in just 12 minutes, this Parmesan Crusted Chicken air fryer recipe is your weeknight dinner hero! Juicy inside with a golden crunch, it's irresistible.

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• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredient Notes & Substitutions 
• Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• FAQs
• Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Air Fryer Recipe)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Here is why you’ll love this air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken:

• This Parmesan crusted chicken cooked in the air fryer is all about crunch on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside. The crispy coating, made with Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, packs a ton of flavor with every bite, thanks to garlic, herbs, and a bit of spice. 
• The air fryer ensures it comes out perfectly golden and crispy without loads of oil. If you love fried chicken but don’t love the excess calories, this recipe is for you!
• It’s a weeknight winner, especially since it's quick to whip up (only 12 minutes for a batch of delicious chicken!), and everyone will be asking for seconds. 

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions 

• Chicken & coating: Chicken breasts, all-purpose flour, Parmesan cheese, Panko breadcrumbs, eggs. 
• Seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs (e.g. Italian seasoning or dried thyme), black pepper, salt. 
• Extras: Olive oil spray for cooking, this is essential for that crispy finish.
• To serve: Lemon wedges, fresh parsley, extra Parmesan (optional), favorite veggies side dish and some mashed potatoes for extra comfort.

Swaps:

• You can also chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness. Turkey breast meat or pork tenderloin can also be used.
• Panko breadcrumbs will give you the best crunch but you can also use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers; or gluten-free crumbs if needed.
• Mix in some smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a kick. 

Step by Step

1. Preheat

• Preheat the air fryer to 395°F (200°C). Spray the basket with some oil. 

2. Set up the coating station

• Set up 3 coating stations: flour mixed with seasonings, beaten eggs, and Parmesan-panko. Use shallow bowls for easy dipping.

3. Prepare the chicken

• Cut chicken breasts in half or in three pieces, going diagonally, pat dry, and season with salt. For this recipe, I used 2 large breasts cut into 3 pieces each.
  
• Dredge each piece in flour, then dip in egg, and then press into Parmesan-panko mixture on both sides. Set aside. 

4. Air fry the chicken

• Arrange chicken in a single layer, and spray tops with oil. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again. Chicken should be golden and cooked through. Rest for a couple of minutes, then serve.

4. Serve

• Top the chicken with extra Parmesan cheese and cracked pepper.

Expert Tips

• Crispier coating: Make sure your chicken is dry before coating. It helps everything stick better. Make sure to spray the coated chicken with a little oil before air frying.
• Even cooking: Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature; this will ensure more even cooking on the inside without burning the outside.
• Batch cooking: Depending on the air fryer size, you might need to cook in batches—don’t overcrowd! I had to do two batches and the second batch will be slightly crispier. 
• Turn these into Chicken Parmigiana: After flipping the chicken pieces over and cooking them for 2-3 minutes, top each piece with tomato sauce and Mozzarella cheese and pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
• Lower carb: For a keto-friendly version, skip the flour and use almond flour or crushed pork rinds for the crust.
• Smaller chicken pieces (like tenders or chunks): They’ll cook faster! Reduce the cooking time to around 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t dry out.
• Whole chicken breasts: They’ll take longer to cook, so I recommend increasing the cooking time to about 15-18 minutes. Be sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for perfectly cooked chicken.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken pairs beautifully with a light arugula salad, garlic butter green beans, or over pasta with a lemony cream sauce. For a comforting meal, serve with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.

These dipping sauces would pair perfectly with your air fryer Parmesan crusted chicken: garlic aioli, honey mustard, spicy mayo, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, pesto mayo or sweet chili sauce. 

• Garlic Aioli: Mix mayo, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Creamy and tangy, it’s perfect for the crispy chicken.
• Honey Mustard: Combine equal parts honey and Dijon mustard for a sweet and tangy twist.
• Spicy Mayo: A mix of mayo and sriracha or hot sauce for a kick of heat.
• Ranch Dressing: Classic and creamy, it’s always a hit with crispy chicken.
• Pesto Mayo: Stir together pesto and mayo for a herby, flavorful dip.