Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

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Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken is an effortless and delicious twist to traditional chicken parmesan. 

Tender and juicy chicken breasts are halved lengthwise and then coated in a cheesy bread crumb mixture – air fried to crispy golden perfection! 

If you love my Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups, Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Parmesan Pork, then you’ll love this recipe. I think of all of the Air Fryer Recipes, it is one of our favorite air fryer dinners! I think you’ll love this air fryer chicken breast recipe too!

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Why This Recipe Works
• What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
• Equipment
• Ingredients
• How To Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Recipe Tips
• Variations
• What To Serve With Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• FAQs
• More Recipes
• Recipe
• Reviews

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick Dinner. Air frying your parmesan-crusted chicken is healthy, as it does not use a lot of oil, and it is quick to make – you can have dinner ready in just 20 minutes!
• Delicious. This recipe’s breaded coating is seriously upgraded, adding various seasonings and freshly shredded parmesan cheese!
• Crispy Coating. The irresistible contrast of tender and juicy chicken breast with the crispy parmesan breadcrumb coating makes this dish the perfect choice for any midweek dinner, even when serving to picky eaters. 
• Easy air fryer chicken recipe is a super easy recipe with ingredients you likely have on hand or can easily find in the grocery store, and it makes a delicious meal that the whole family will love. This air fryer recipe is one of our favorite things.
• Pantry Ingredients. It is a super easy recipe with ingredients you likely have on hand or can easily find in the grocery store, and it makes a delicious meal that the whole family will love.

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy Instructions. You can easily follow my simple step-by-step recipe instructions with photos to ensure that you make the best-tasting air fryer parmesan-crusted chicken!  
• Includes Recipe Tips. Recipe tips and questions have been added for your convenience, particularly helpful if you’ve never made parmesan-crusted chicken in the air fryer. 
• Customize It To Your Taste. I’ve included recipe variations and suggestions on how you can adapt this parmesan-crusted chicken recipe as a helpful guide and inspiration for your cooking efforts!
• Serving suggestions are listed below should you want to pair your chicken with delicious side dishes that will quickly bulk up the meal – great if you are serving a larger crowd. 
• Tried and True Recipe. I've been making this dish ever since I bought my air fryer! You can trust that I'm guiding you from tried and true techniques and processes with this parmesan recipe. 

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product, which does not increase the price.

• Air Fryer – This is the one I use. It is an Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4-quarter Air Fryer.
• Medium bowl
• Meat thermometer
• Paper Towels

Ingredients

Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don't have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

• Chicken breasts. I use boneless, skinless chicken breast. I’ve cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. You could also pound them out to an even thickness and size. Chicken thigh meat can also be used to make parmesan-crusted chicken. 
• Flour. I’ve used all-purpose flour, but you can use gluten-free flour such as Bob’s Red Mill or plant-based flour. 
• Garlic powder. This adds umami flavor to the crispy coating!
• Salt. Kosher salt or table salt will do.
• Pepper. For a kick of heat, consider using cayenne pepper instead. 
• Italian seasoning. Store-bought or homemade Italian seasoning. 
• Eggs/ The eggs act as the glue that will help to keep the breadcrumb coating on the chicken breast while frying. If you can't eat eggs, consider using butter or yogurt instead. 
• Parmesan cheese. Grate the parmesan cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents for shelf life, affecting the cheese’s fresh taste and melting ability. 
• Panko bread crumbs. I’ve used Panko bread crumbs, but you can use any other brand you prefer (plain or seasoned). There are also gluten-free packaged bread crumbs in most stores and online. 
• Olive oil spray. This is to lightly coat the air fryer basket so the chicken doesn’t stick to it while cooking. You’ll also need olive oil spray to spray each side of the coated chicken. 

How To Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken

1. In a wide shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. In a second wide shallow dish, beat the eggs. In a third shallow dish, combine the parmesan cheese and panko.
2. Dip a piece of chicken in the flour mixture and coat well on both sides.
3. Place chicken in the egg mixture and coat.
4. Then place the chicken in the parmesan panko mixture and spoon the mixture on the top. Press the mixture onto the chicken.

1. Spray the air-fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray, then place the chicken in the basket in a single layer.
2. Spray the chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Place the basket into the air fryer and set to 400°.
3. Fry for 6 minutes, then flip the chicken over and spray with cooking spray. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes.

Recipe Tips

• Same Thickness. If you’ve decided to pound the chicken, make sure to beat each piece to the same thickness so that they all cook evenly. It’s also a good idea to select similar-sized chicken breast pieces for this recipe. 
• Meat Thermometer. Use a food or meat thermometer to check the readiness of the chicken by inserting the thermometer into the thickest section. It should register 165F. 
• Cook in Batches. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and how many chicken breasts you are cooking, you may need to cook the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. 
• Organize. Organizing your workstation with the three bowls of ingredients (eggs, flour mixture, and bread crumbs with cheese) will help you work quickly and efficiently, limiting mess and fuss. 
• Make Ahead. You can prepare the flour mixture and breadcrumbs with grated parmesan the night before in separate bowls, covered with plastic wrap, and keep at room temperature, but only whisk the eggs just before coating the chicken for freshness and food safety reasons. 
• Don’t Overcrowd. Spread the coated chicken out on the air fryer basket with adequate space between them so they can crisp evenly without overcrowding. 
• Cooking Spray. Coating the air fryer basket with a light spray of olive oil will help prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket. 

Variations

• Gluten Free. Make your parmesan-crusted chicken gluten-free using gluten-free flour and bread crumbs. 
• Eggless. If you can’t consume eggs, use yogurt or butter to help the breadcrumb coating stick to the chicken. 
• Spicy. Add some heat to your chicken by adding cayenne pepper or paprika to the flour mixture. 
• Go Italiano. If you want to turn this recipe into an air fryer chicken parmesan, you know the classic chicken parmesan, then all you need to do is top the chicken with marinara sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese!

What To Serve With Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Serve this crispy parmesan-crusted chicken pieces with your favorite sides, such as a light garden salad, like my Vegetable Chopped Salad, Picnic Potato Salad, Cilantro Lime Coleslaw, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, French fries, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, or Oven Roasted Potatoes. 

Leftover parmesan-crusted chicken can be reheated, cut into smaller pieces, and used in salads, or to make delicious sandwiches with a mayonnaise dressing and crispy lettuce with sliced tomato!

FAQs

How Should I Store Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken?

These parmesan-crusted chicken pieces should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. They will always taste the best freshly made with their crispy coating. 

I recommend reheating any leftover parmesan-crusted chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain some of that crispy exterior to the breadcrumb coating.

Can I Freeze Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken?

No, I don’t suggest freezing this air fryer chicken. The freezing and thawing process will affect the flour and bread crumb coating and may not result in the level of crispiness you had hoped for when it comes to reheating. 

While you could potentially freeze the raw chicken breasts with the flour and breadcrumb mixture, the defrosting could make the coating fall off. 

Can I Use chicken cutlets instead?

Yes, you can make Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, but you will need to adjust the cooking time on the air fryer to 8 minutes instead of 12 minutes.

Can I Make Parmesan Chicken Tenders instead?

Absolutely, however, you will need to adjust the cooking time on the air fryer to 10 minutes cook time.

Can I Wrap Chicken In Foil In The Air Fryer?

Yes, you can use aluminum foil in the Air Fryer. However, to be certain check the manual of your specific model of air fryer to confirm this. Also, I don’t recommend using foil for this recipe. It is not needed.

How Do I Reheat The Chicken In The Air Fryer?

Set the temperature of the air fryer to 400 F. for 5 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature.

Is This Recipe Gluten Free?

No, it isn't. I've used all-purpose flour and standard Panko breadcrumbs in this recipe. You can change this by using gluten-free flour and gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs instead. 

How Many Calories Does Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken Have?

See the Nutrition information in the recipe card below. Per that calculation, this recipe has 356 calories per serving. This could vary based on the brand and type of ingredients that you use to make the recipe. Any variations may change the amount of calories.

WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE AN AIR FRYER?

If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t despair – this parmesan-crusted chicken can also be pan-fried. 

To pan-fry your chicken, follow the recipe until just before cooking. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breast halves to the pan when the oil is hot and cook for 3-4 minutes. Turn the chicken over using tongs and cook for another 3-4 minutes but don’t cook the chicken for longer than 6-8 minutes.   

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHICKEN IS COOKED PROPERLY?

If you’re unsure whether your chicken is fully cooked, take an instant-read thermometer and test the chicken by inserting the thermometer in the thickest section of the meat. 

The internal temperature of the chicken must be at least 165℉ for it to be safe to eat. 

More Recipes

• Best Chicken Parmesan
• Chicken Parmesan Sliders
• Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
• Pecan Crusted Chicken Breast

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