This simple and delicious Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe delivers serious crunch and flavor in about 20 minutes, using just a light spritz of oil. The parmesan-panko crust keeps boneless chicken breasts moist and juicy, making it a busy weeknight win. Serve it over pasta, tuck it into wraps for lunch, or just slice it over a fresh salad for a satisfying crunchy protein.
Our air fryer gets a lot of use, no matter the time of year. However, I tend to use it most on weeknights when time is limited and I simply have little energy to cook. That is why I developed this easy weeknight air fryer chicken recipe; it's super simple, incredibly versatile, and even my picky daughters seem to devour it.
If you too love cooking with your air fryer, check out some of my other favorite recipes, including Air-Fryer Zucchini Fritters, Crispy Air Fryer Red Potatoes, or Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy outside, juicy inside
- Lighter than pan-fried or deep-fried
- Done in about 20 minutes, minimal cleanup
- Kid-friendly and versatile (sandwiches, salads, mains)
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Ingredients that Matter
You can find all of these ingredients in your local grocery store. Here is what you'll need to make this recipe:
- Chicken. I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Sometimes you can find relatively small ones, 8-ounces or less, but otherwise you'll want to cut them into even pieces so they will cook evenly.
- Parmesan Cheese. Use finely grated fresh parmesan cheese or pre-grated, if that's what you have on hand.
- Panko. While you can technically make this recipe by simply coating the chicken in parmesan cheese, the panko breadcrumbs are what give this recipe that crunchy bite. Italian breadcrumbs or even fresh breadcrumbs also work, but panko provides the best texture.
- Mayonnaise. Coating the chicken in a mixture of mayonnaise and egg eliminates the need for a standard three-stage breading process (here we can skip dusting in flour first).
- Egg. You can simply coat the chicken in mayo, but I like to add an egg to the mixture as it helps the breadcrumbs stick better.
- Oregano or Italian Seasoning. Use the dried herbs with the mayo mixture and in the breadcrumb coating.
- Cooking Spray. Use any type of cooking spray you have.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This recipe comes together super fast and requires minimal effort once it's cooking in the air fryer. Here is how to make this recipe:
- Start by cutting each chicken breast in half crosswise, then cut the thicken portion in half down the middle, creating 3 evenly sized pieces.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, egg, Italian seasoning or dried oregano, and table salt and whisk until smooth. Add the chicken and toss to coat well. Set aside for at least 5 minutes, or up to overnight covered in the refrigerator.
- In a separate medium bowl, add the panko, parmesan cheese, and more Italian seasoning or oregano. Toss well to combine. Carefully add the marinated chicken, one piece at a time, and press into the breadcrumbs. Flip and press again until well coated. Transfer to the basket of an air fryer (be sure to coat the basket with cooking spray) and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Spray the chicken pieces on all sides with cooking spray and air fry at 400°F until golden brown and crispy on the outside and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F, 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with more salt. Cool for 5 minutes then serve hot.
Tip: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook this recipe in two batches. If that's the case, you can leave the chicken on the counter or refrigerate, uncovered, for up to 2 hours.
Adam's Pro Tip
If the coating doesn't get golden brown, try cooking another 2-3 minutes at a higher temperature (like 425°F). Not all air fryers can get that hot, but if yours does, that extra hit of high heat at the end will help the breadcrumbs sizzle and turn a beautifully golden brown and delicious.
Substitutions
This parmesan crusted chicken air fryer recipe is very easy to adjust based on your flavor preferences or dietary restrictions. Consider the following substitutions:
- Chicken Thighs - You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of the breasts. If using thighs, there is no need to cut them in half first. Simply trim off excess fat and marinate in the mayo mixture.
- Gluten-Free - Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- Dairy-Free - To make this recipe dairy-free, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese. Mayonnaise is naturally dairy-free.
Variations
Once you learn the basics of making crispy air frying chicken, you can tweak this recipe to your liking. Consider the following variations:
- Spicy - Love the hot honey craze? You can get similar results by adding a big pinch of cayenne pepper and even some hot sauce to the mayo mixture. Don't forget to add more cayenne to the breadcrumbs.
- Garlic - I left out garlic because it doesn't agree with me, but feel free to add 1 teaspoon of garlic (or onion powder) to the mayonnaise mixture.
- Fresh Herbs - I garnished with fresh basil from my garden for these photos, and you could also use finely chopped parsley, chives, or scallions. You can actually add some fresh herbs to the mayo mixture as well.
What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken
You can take this crispy parmesan panko chicken to the next level by spooning on a bit of tomato sauce and topping with mozzarella cheese once the chicken is nice and crispy. Simply pop it back in the air fryer to melt the cheese for a quick and easy air fryer chicken parm!
We typically serve the chicken with pasta, like my Cherry Tomato Spaghetti Sauce or Lemon Caper Pasta. But it's also great in a wrap (use it in place of the tofu for my Crispy Buffalo Tofu Wraps) or even on noodle bowls like this Summer Roll Peanut Bowl or even this Loaded Potato Bowl. Try serving with sauces like this Buffalo Ranch Sauce or Horseradish Aioli.
Storage
This air fryer chicken breast recipe makes great leftovers and is even ideal for meal prep, so long as you have access to an air fryer for reheating. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 400°F air fryer for 6-10 minutes, until the outside is sizzling and crispy and the interior reaches 165°F. You can also serve the leftovers cold over a green salad, but note that the exterior will not be crispy.
You can freeze this recipe in an airtight container or freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from the freezer.
FAQ
Yes! You can bread the chicken and refrigerate it (uncooked) for up to 2 days before air frying. Or cook fully, refrigerate for up to 3 days, and reheat in the air fryer until hot and crispy.
Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly into the chicken, and make sure to use both mayonnaise and an egg in the marinade. Spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray also prevents sticking.
Yes! Bake in a 400°F oven (with convection if possible) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the crust is crispy and golden brown, about 10 minutes per side.
Yes, flipping halfway ensures even browning on all sides of the chicken.
Definitely. Boneless, skinless thighs work well and stay extra juicy. Just trim off excess fat and cook until they reach at least 175°F.
More Chicken Recipes
Looking for more chicken recipes like this? Try these:
Sides
If you need some inspiration for side dishes, try these:
Print
Recipe
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 pieces of chicken 1x
Description
This simple and delicious Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe delivers serious crunch and flavor in about 20 minutes, using just a light spritz of oil. The parmesan-panko crusted boneless chicken breasts stay moist and juicy, making it a busy weeknight win. Serve it over pasta, tuck it into wraps for lunch, or just slice it over a fresh salad for a satisfying crunchy protein.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs. total)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp. dried oregano or Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 tsp. table salt, divided
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (1 ½ oz.), plus more for garnish
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast in half crosswise then cut the thicker section in half through the middle, creating 3 even size and even thick pieces. Whisk together mayonnaise, egg, 1 teaspoon of the oregano or Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the chicken and toss well to coat. Set aside for 5 minutes on the counter or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, add panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and remaining 1 teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning in a separate medium bowl. Carefully remove a piece of chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, then press each side into the breadcrumb mixture until well coated. Repeat with remaining chicken then place in the based of an air fryer coated well with cooking spray. Generously spray all sides of the chicken with cooking spray then cook at 400°F until crispy and golden brown on all sides and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F, about 8 minutes per side, flipping the chicken halfway through. Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with remaining ¼ teaspoon table salt. Set aside at room temperature for 5 minutes then serve hot with more parmesan.
Notes
- You can swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs. If using thighs, there's no need to cut them first but be sure to trim away excess fat.
- Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Swap in nutritional yeast for parm to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat in an air fryer at 400F until crispy on the outside and hot inside, 4-6 minutes.
- This recipe is great as a main over pasta, but it's also delicious in a wrap, on a sandwich, or with a green salad.
- For an ultra-golden crust, increase the air fryer temperature to 425°F for the final 2-3 minutes, if your model allows. This gives the breadcrumbs a perfect golden crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American/Italian
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