Description
A crispy, juicy chicken dinner that cooks in just 30 minutes. This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken delivers golden crunch, tender meat, and simple everyday ingredients—perfect for busy nights or quick meal prep.
Ingredients
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Italian-seasoned panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive oil spray
Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
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Slice each chicken breast lengthwise to create four thin cutlets. Place each between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness.
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In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and minced garlic. Spread the mixture generously over both sides of each chicken cutlet.
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In a shallow bowl, stir together the Italian-seasoned panko, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Press each piece of chicken firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on both sides.
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Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray. Arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer, leaving space between pieces.
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Cook for 8 minutes, then flip each piece and cook for an additional 5–7 minutes, or until the coating is crisp and the chicken is cooked through.
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Remove from the air fryer and serve warm. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Pound the chicken evenly for consistent cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer; cook in batches if needed for best crispiness.
- If you want deeper browning, lightly spray the top of the chicken with olive oil before flipping.
- Thin cutlets cook quickly—check early to avoid burning the crust.
- Leftovers reheat perfectly in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min