Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Craving the crunch of fried chicken without the excess oil? This Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe delivers exactly that: juicy, tender chicken encased in an irresistible golden Parmesan crust. It’s the perfect solution when you want maximum flavor and crunch with minimal fuss—no deep frying required. This versatile recipe is a crowd-pleaser, ideal for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests who love classic comfort food.

Why This Crispy Parmesan Chicken Stands Out

The secret to this recipe’s success is a double dip in a blend of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and savory spices before air frying to perfection. The air fryer produces a fantastically crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful—no greasy mess or complicated techniques. It’s a recipe that works for everything from salads and sandwiches to main-course entrées.

Getting the Crunchy Parmesan Crust Just Right

For the best results, use freshly grated Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs for that signature airy, crunchy texture. The combination creates a crispy shell that seals in moisture and delivers bold, cheesy flavor in every bite. A touch of garlic and Italian seasoning elevates the crust for a savory finish that tastes amazing hot or cold.

Easy Steps for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken

Simply prep your breading station, coat each chicken breast in seasoned flour, dip in egg, then press firmly into the Parmesan-panko mix. Air frying locks in moisture and crispiness without oil, making cleanup a breeze and mealtime stress-free.

Creative Serving Ideas

Serve the Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken on a bed of mixed greens, tuck it into toasted buns for a crunchy chicken sandwich, or slice it over pasta with tomato sauce for a lighter twist on Chicken Parmesan. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon for bright flavor, or dip in your favorite sauce for added zing.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 servings, with each portion offering approximately 320 to 350 calories depending on the size of the chicken breasts and seasoning variations. It’s a protein-packed entrée that fits perfectly into balanced weekly meal plans.

Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Recap)

With tender chicken inside and a satisfying, cheesy crunch outside, this air fryer favorite is both quick to prepare and a guaranteed hit with all ages. It’s a lighter, simpler way to enjoy restaurant-quality crunch at home.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F for 3–5 minutes.
2. Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them in half horizontally for even cooking (you’ll end up with 4 thinner cutlets).
3. In one shallow bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Place flour in a second bowl. In a third bowl, beat the egg until frothy.
5. Coat each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten egg, then press firmly into the Parmesan-panko mixture, ensuring even coverage.
6. Lightly coat both sides of the breaded chicken with olive oil or spray.
7. Arrange the cutlets in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden and the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
8. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is delicious hot and holds up beautifully for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to easily plan your dinner rotation, create consolidated shopping lists, and ensure you have all necessary ingredients for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities when planning multiple meals
• Organizes every shopping list by grocery store aisle to save you time
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten items
• Makes batch cooking easier and more efficient

Pro tip: When using CookifyAI’s planner, watch how overlapping ingredients (like eggs or seasoning) are tallied across recipes for smarter, streamlined grocery shopping—no guesswork or waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Enjoy crisp, cheesy chicken with less oil and hassle—perfect for meal planners and flavor lovers alike!