Print

Juicy boneless chicken breasts coated in a crispy Parmesan-panko crust with garlic and Italian herbs, air fried to golden perfection for a crunchy outside and tender inside.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat each chicken breast dry with paper towels.
  3. In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Spread a thin, even layer of mayonnaise over each chicken breast.
  5. Press each chicken breast firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat all sides; shake off any loose crumbs.
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket and the coated chicken with cooking spray.
  7. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket.
  8. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
  9. Flip the chicken, spritz the top with cooking spray, and air fry 5 to 7 minutes more until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  10. Remove the chicken and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For extra zest, add lemon zest or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the breadcrumb mixture., You can swap panko breadcrumbs for crushed cornflakes or regular breadcrumbs with paprika for variation., Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy and tender., Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, separating pieces with parchment paper to preserve crispness., Mayonnaise acts as a binder for the coating and keeps the chicken moist; it can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt or beaten egg., If using chicken thighs instead of breasts, cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)., To reheat leftovers and maintain crispness, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes., To prevent sticking, lightly spray air fryer basket and chicken with cooking spray before cooking., Can be baked in an oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes if no air fryer is available, flipping halfway through., Can be made gluten-free by substituting panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free cereal.

Nutrition