A Story from Shaym at SoolFood
It was one of those “what’s for dinner?” nights with barely anything in the fridge. I found two chicken breasts, some shredded Parmesan, and a half-full container of panko. I didn’t feel like turning on the oven, so I grabbed my air fryer. Fifteen minutes later, we had golden, crunchy chicken that felt straight out of a bistro. My kids asked if I secretly picked up takeout. That’s when I knew this Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken was a keeper. It’s fast, flavor-packed, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Recipe: Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- Olive oil spray
Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In another bowl, mix Parmesan, panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dip chicken in the egg, then coat thoroughly in the Parmesan mixture.
- Spray air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place chicken in basket without overlapping.
- Air fry for 13–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing.
Tips:
- For extra crispiness, give the coated chicken a second light spray of oil before air frying.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for max flavor.
- This also works great for chicken tenders, just reduce cook time.
Why This Recipe Works
The air fryer creates a perfectly crisp crust without deep frying. The Parmesan adds a salty, nutty depth while the panko keeps it light and crunchy. It’s fast, mess-free, and hits that craveable crispy chicken spot every single time.
Want a side that’s just as simple? Serve it with our crispy Air Fryer Carrots or classic Air Fryer French Fries. You can also turn this into a protein bowl by slicing it over our High Protein Burrito Bowl or topping a fresh salad.
If you love air fryer meals, check out our full list of Healthy Air Fryer Recipes, quick, clean, and full of flavor.
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Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken: Crispy, Juicy, and Ready in Minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
Description
A quick and flavorful air fryer chicken recipe with a parmesan-panko crust. Easy, crispy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
Olive oil spray
Instructions
1. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In another bowl, mix Parmesan, panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip chicken in the egg, then coat thoroughly in the Parmesan mixture.
4. Spray air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place chicken in basket without overlapping.
5. Air fry for 13–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
6. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For extra crispiness, give the coated chicken a second light spray of oil before air frying.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for max flavor.
This also works great for chicken tenders, just reduce cook time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American