It’s the perfect combination of juicy chicken, a golden crust, and that irresistible Parmesan flavor. Prepare to be amazed as your air fryer works its magic.
Notes: We are currently in the development and testing stage for this parmesan crusted chicken air fryer recipe. Stay tuned for more updates. If you have any tips on making this dish even better, please leave us a comment below. We appreciate your input!
Happy frying!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Here are all you need to make extra crispy air fried parmesan crusted chicken.
- Chicken breasts
- Parmesan cheese
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Avocado oil
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
Substitutes:
You can also use boneless chicken thighs rather than chicken breasts. If you air fry bone-in chicken thighs, the cooking time will be longer, precisely 20 – 24 minutes.
And hey, no panko breadcrumbs? No biggie! Regular breadcrumbs will do the trick as a substitute. Easy-peasy!
Here’s the thing, though:
The one thing you absolutely can’t substitute here is parmesan. After all, the recipe is “Parmesan Crusted Chicken.”
Recipe Video
Here’s a video of a similar recipe that we’re going for.
How to Cook Parmesan Crusted Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients.
First up, arrange the breading station. Get yourself 3 shallow dishes, and in each container, add and mix the following ingredients:
- All-purpose flour, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Beat the eggs. Just eggs.
- Breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
Then, prepare the chicken breasts.
✦ In the pictures, we cut chicken in two, but you don’t have to.
To prepare the chicken, place it flat on a cutting board, cover it with plastic wrap, and gently pound it using a mallet, pan, or rolling pin. Begin from its thickest part and work your way toward the edges. Keep going until the chicken is uniformly flattened to about 1/2 inch thickness.
💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t want to pound the chicken, you can also butterfly-cut it like the air fryer cordon bleu recipe. At least by doing so, the chicken will still be thin enough for even cooking.
Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 3: Season and bread the chicken breast.
Time to get those chicken breasts ready for their cheesy makeover.
First, pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Believe it or not, this step will allow the flour to stick better.
Then, wet the floured chicken breasts in the beaten egg. Let any excess egg drip.
Lastly, move it to the Parmesan breadcrumbs mixture. Thoroughly coat both sides, so make sure every corner of the chicken is breaded perfectly.
💡 Pro Tip: Press the breadcrumbs gently onto the chicken to ensure they stick well.
Step 4: Air Fry parmesan crusted chicken for 12 – 15 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC).
Lay your beautifully breaded chicken breasts in the preheated air fryer, ensuring they have a little breathing room. We want them to cook up evenly and get that golden crust.
Spray the chicken with avocado oil generously. This is one of the secrets to ensuring Parmesan-crusted chicken turns golden brown in the air fryer.
Set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and let the magic happen for 12 to 15 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through and spray it with more avocado oil.
Using a meat thermometer, double-check that the chicken has reached the safe temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) before serving.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Ding! The air fryer has worked magic, and your chicken is now perfectly cooked and crispy. After cooking in the air fryer, it’s best to let the food rest for 5 minutes. This’ll help to seal in the juices and enhance the flavor.
Now comes the fun part—serving up your masterpiece.
Pair your Air Fried Parmesan Crusted Chicken with your favorite sides like air fried asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, or an air fryer garlic bread. The possibilities are endless!
Get ready to amaze yourself and your loved ones with our Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe. Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen.
So go ahead, try it, and get ready to fry it to believe it! Remember to share your culinary creations with us at fryit.co. Happy cooking!
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: To freeze the air-fried Parmesan-crusted chicken, let it first cool down to room temperature. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw them first in the refrigerator overnight. Then, follow the reheating instructions below.
Fridge: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat your delicious Parmesan crusted chicken, pop it back into the air fryer at 375ºF (190ºC) for 5 – 8 minutes or until heated.
Remember, for the best taste and texture, enjoying this dish fresh is recommended. But we understand if you can’t resist savoring it again the next day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can cook Parmesan crusted chicken in an air fryer. It’s a delicious and convenient way to prepare this dish. The air fryer’s hot circulating air ensures the chicken gets crispy and cooked evenly. Simultaneously, the parmesan crust adds a flavorful touch.
It takes 12 – 15 minutes to cook Parmesan crusted chicken in the air fryer at 400ºF (204ºC). Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the chicken and the air fryer model. Be sure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF (74ºC) before serving.
Yes, you can put and cook breaded items in the air fryer. Spraying avocado oil in the breaded recipe (before air frying) can result in a crispy golden brown texture as if it’s deep-fried. It’s a healthier and hassle-free way to enjoy your favorite breaded treats.
Yes, you can put parmesan (parm) in an air fryer to create deliciously crispy and cheesy results. Whether you use it as a chicken crust, sprinkle it on vegetables, or even make parmesan crisps, the air fryer can easily handle it, adding a delectable touch to your dishes.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Avocado oil
Instructions
- Prepare the breading station. Grab three shallow dishes. Mix flour, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in the first dish. In the second one, beat eggs. And in the last container, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Tenderize the chicken. Set the chicken on a chopping board and cover with plastic wrap. Then, using a meat mallet (or rolling pin), gently pound the chicken until it has an even thickness all throughout.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Bread the chicken. Use a paper towel to dry the chicken breasts thoroughly. Then, coat it in the flour mixture, making sure to remove any excess. Next, wet the floured chicken into the beaten egg. Finally, transfer to the breadcrumb mixture and gently press to thoroughly coat the chicken. Ensure that all the nooks and crannies are breaded.
- Place the coated chicken breasts in the preheated air fryer, ensuring they’re not touching each other. Spray with avocado oil.
- Air fry the parmesan crusted chicken at 400ºF (204ºC) for 12 – 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC). Halfway through, flip the chicken and spray with more avocado oil.
- Once the chicken is cooked through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy your air fried Parmesan crusted chicken with your favorite side dishes or on a bed of salad greens.
Notes
- Remember that cooking durations may differ depending on the chicken’s thickness and your air fryer’s size and model. Before serving, ensure it has been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the Air fryer parmesan crusted chicken.
- I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the parmesan crusted chicken recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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