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This healthier version of my Parmesan Crusted Chicken produces a wonderfully crispy and juicy chicken. It'll only take 15 minutes to cook dinner tonight.
Here are some delicious recipe suggestions to complement the tasty parmesan crusted chicken recipe: Corn Maque Choux, Baked Sweet Potato, New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese, Garlic Asparagus, Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots, and Southern Green Beans.
I love using my air fryer all year long when I don't want to heat up my kitchen and have minimal dishes to wash after cooking.
The great thing about this recipe is that it's straightforward; even though there are a few steps but once you get everything measured out and in order, you'll breeze through this delightful air fryer chicken recipe.
It's perfect on its own, with some sides, over pasta, or for chicken parm.
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Key Ingredients
Before you begin preparing this delicious chicken dinner, look at this list to ensure you have everything.
Chicken Breasts
You'll need boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Parmesan Cheese
An amazing cheesy crust is formed by using long shreds of parmesan. I found that grated parmesan cheese left a slightly chalky flavor.
Panko Crumbs
The texture of this chicken is enhanced by the panko bread crumbs, which I love.
Garlic
I enjoy using fresh garlic to add plenty of delicious garlic flavor that garlic powder doesn't provide.
Seasonings
To prepare this dish, you must gather kosher salt, Savory Cajun seasoning, and dried oregano.
Fresh Parsley
Adding fresh, chopped Italian parsley can provide a refreshing taste.
Milk
I love using milk instead of an egg wash.
All-Purpose Flour
Coating the chicken with flour will make the breading adhere better.
How To Make Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
I want this chicken dinner to be fun, taste good, and not as complicated as you thought. I do not use any mayonnaise because it's unnecessary.
Chicken
Put two boneless chicken breasts in a storage bag and pound them to flatten the chicken. Repeat the process with the other breasts. This method will ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly and remains juicy.
Combine Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, and oregano in a small bowl. Use this mixture to season both sides of the chicken. Then, set the chicken aside.
Panko Mixture
Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Combine flour, panko bread crumbs, shredded parmesan, garlic slices, and Cajun seasoning in a separate shallow bowl.
Coat a chicken breast in milk, then cover both sides with the panko mixture. Repeat the same steps with the other chicken breast.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, and place the chicken breast skin side down. Lightly spray with cooking spray and air fry at 400°F/204°C for 6 minutes; flip, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 8 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Garnish with Italian parsley and extra parmesan cheese, and serve with your mashed potatoes and green beans or sides of your choice.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
I have some notes you may find helpful regarding the preparation of a moist air fryer parmesan crusted chicken dinner.
- Pounding the chicken helps it cook evenly and faster; without serving overcooked chicken. Especially with large chicken breasts.
- You can use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- You can replace dried oregano with Italian seasoning if you want.
- Using fresh herbs instead of dried herbs will result in more flavor. If you have access to fresh herbs, it is recommended to use them.
- I prefer to use avocado or olive oil spray.
- All shredded parmesan cheese is not created equal. Parmesan Reggiano is the best parmesan cheese.
- Instead of shredded parmesan cheese, you can substitute it with grated parmesan cheese.
- Feel free to use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- You can use regular bread crumbs or Italian bread crumbs as a swap for the panko bread crumbs.
- You can use your favorite all-purpose seasoning as a substitute for Savory Cajun seasoning.
- Chicken is done when a meat thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the breast and reads an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If you're cooking a large batch of chicken, transfer them to a baking sheet when it's time to go in the oven.
- All air fryers are not created equal, so adjust the cooking time if needed.
- My favorite tool to flatten chicken breast is a small skillet. Even though I have a meat mallet.
FAQ
Here are the top questions readers have about air fryer parmesan crusted chicken.
If you don't spray the chicken with cooking spray, it'll prevent the chicken from getting crispy. Also, make sure the temperature is high enough for the chicken to be air fried. Overcrowding the air fryer basket will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly. Flipping the chicken halfway through cooking is also important to ensure even crispiness.
To ensure that your breaded items turn out crispy in the air fryer, lightly spray them with cooking spray before cooking, flip them halfway through cooking, and avoid overcrowding the basket.
It's simple to air-fry pre-breaded chicken. Place the frozen chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F/204°C for 6 minutes, flip, and cook for another 8 minutes.
The cooking time for uncooked breaded chicken in an air fryer will depend on the thickness of the chicken and the specific air fryer model being used. It usually takes around 12-15 minutes at 400°F (204°C) to cook in an air fryer.
To make sure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked, check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer and make sure it has reached 165°F (74°C).
It could be due to the temperature being too low or the chicken being too wet, or the breading not adhering well to the chicken. Try drying the chicken thoroughly, increasing the temperature, and lightly spraying with cooking oil to promote browning.
Flipping the chicken in the air fryer is crucial for even cooking and crispiness on both sides. Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time is recommended to ensure that it cooks evenly and browns on both sides.
The size of the chicken pieces is between 6-8 ounces. However, the size of the chicken pieces can vary depending on if you buy organic or conventional chicken breasts.
The temperature and cooking time for chicken in an air fryer can vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces and the specific air fryer model being used.
Generally, boneless chicken breasts can be cooked at 400°F (204°C) for 12-15 minutes, while dark meat (chicken drumsticks and thighs) may require a longer cooking time of 25-30 minutes at the same temperature. The chicken is cooked thoroughly once it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Yes, bone-in chicken can be used for parmesan crusted chicken. The cooking time will be longer than it would be for boneless chicken breasts.
Yes, leftover parmesan crusted chicken can be frozen. It's best to freeze the chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag, and it can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Yes, parmesan crusted chicken can be baked in the oven. Follow the recipe for seasoning and breading the chicken and bake at 400°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the crust is golden brown and crispy. For even crispiness, flip the chicken halfway through cooking or bake it on a wire rack which requires no flipping.
Air-fried chicken is best eaten immediately, but leftover chicken will remain fresh for 7 days in the fridge.
To reheat, place in the air-fryer at 400°F for 5-8 minutes or until hot.
You can freeze them in a freezer-safe airtight container for 2 months.
More Air-Fryer Recipes
Here are a few more air fryer recipes to add to your meal rotation.
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Creole Sauce
- Hash Browns
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Fried Green Tomatoes
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized before I start anything.
Step 1: Wash and dry the chicken breasts before pulling the ingredients out.
Step 2: Put everything measured into individual bowls.
Step 3: Start following the recipe and get ready for the best air fryer parmesan crusted chicken you've ever enjoyed.
I hope you whip up this delicious meal for your family. Enjoy!
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📖 Recipe
Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless, pounded thin
- 4 tablespoons Savory seasoning
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Dredge:
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan
- 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons Savory seasoning
Instructions
Chicken:
- Place 2 chicken breasts in storage bag or cover with plastic wrap and use a mallet or a heavy skillet and pound chicken out until flatten about ¼ inch thick; repeat with the other breast. Place Savory seasoning, salt and oregano in a bowl. Evenly season both sides of chicken set aside for 10 minutes.
Dredge:
- In a medium bowl add milk. On a large plate mix together the flour, panko, parmesan, garlic slices and Savory. Dredge a chicken breast in milk, then press both sides in flour mixture; repeat with the other breast.
Air-Fry:
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray, place chicken breast skin side down. Spray with cooking spray and air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes, flip, spray with cooking spray and cook for 8 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Chicken is done when a meat thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the breast and reads 165°F. Garnish with Italian parsley before serving.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken helps it cook evenly and faster; without serving overcooked chicken. Especially with large chicken breasts.
- You can use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- You can replace dried oregano with Italian seasoning if you want.
- Using fresh herbs instead of dried herbs will result in more flavor. If you have access to fresh herbs, it is recommended to use them.
- I prefer to use avocado or olive oil spray.
- All shredded parmesan cheese is not created equal. Parmesan Reggiano is the best parmesan cheese.
- Instead of shredded parmesan cheese, you can substitute it with grated parmesan cheese.
- Feel free to use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- You can use regular bread crumbs or Italian bread crumbs as a swap for the panko bread crumbs.
- You can use your favorite all-purpose seasoning as a substitute for Savory Cajun seasoning.
- Chicken is done when a meat thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the breast and reads an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If you're cooking a large batch of chicken, transfer them to a baking sheet when it's time to go in the oven.
- All air fryers are not created equal, so adjust the cooking time if needed.
- My favorite tool to flatten chicken breast is a small skillet. Even though I have a meat mallet.
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