- First, you’ll want to gently rinse your chicken and pat it dry with a paper towel. This is to help mayonnaise to stick to the chicken.
- Next, mix the mayonnaise with garlic Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Divide the mixture between four fillets and coat on both sides.
- In a shallow dish combine your panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Then, pat down your panko crumbs onto the chicken. While you’re doing this you’ll want to preheat your air fryer to about 390 degrees, lightly brush the air fryer basket with olive oil, and cook your chicken for 5-6 minutes before turning over and returning to the fryer for 4-6 minutes.
- Use an instant read meat thermometer to check if your chicken is done. Overcooked chicken will be dry and rubbery, while undercooked chicken is pink in the middle and can make you very, very sick. Using a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked all the way through isn’t just convenient, it’s better for you! That’s why they do in the best restaurants, as well.
Air Fryer Chicken FAQs
Do I Have to Flip the Chicken?
Strictly speaking, you don’t have to flip it in order for the chicken to cook through. However, unflipped chicken won’t have the crispy sear all over that you get from flipping it. It only takes a couple of seconds to do and it makes your dinner even better, so why wouldn’t you flip the chicken
What Size Are Chicken Pieces?
This will vary based on how many people you’re feeding and the volume of your air fryer. It’s more important that all the pieces are about the same size so they cook evenly and in a similar amount of time. Thinner pieces will cook faster than thick ones, so bear that in mind.
What Type of Cheese Should I Use?
Parmesan cheese is a big deal to a lot of Italian people. The ones from Parma, from which the style of cheese originates, take it even more seriously. Parmesan cheese should be soft and crumbly, with a distinctive odor and taste. It goes really well with a lot of different foods, and is known for how well it pairs with both savory and sweet flavor.
If you don’t have parmesan available, a similar crumbly white cheese will do well. You could use pecorino, which has a similar taste except it’s a little saltier. Softer cheeses are no good for this recipe as they melt at a lower temperature and lack the crumbly grated texture we need for a good chicken coating. Most of the harder milk cheeses from Italy or similar countries will do grea
What Seasoning Should I Use?
For seasoning, simple is often better.
If you just have regular breadcrumbs, you can make your own Italian-style seasoning with a few pantry staples. Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder are a great place to start.
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This air fryer parmesan crusted chicken with mayo is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It is big on flavor and will be ready in less than 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to make 4 fillets
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or parsley leaves to garnish
The Garlic Mayounnaise
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- Salt to taste
The Parmesan Coating
- 1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F | 199°C.
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to make 4 fillets.
- Place the chicken on the cutting board, cover with plastic and pound into an even piece with a rolling pin or meat tenderizer.
- In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Divide the mixture between fillets and spread all over the chicken.
- Mix together the panko bread crumbs and parmesan in a shallow bowl. Dredge each fillet in the parmesan mixture, pressing lightly into the coating with the tongs. Then turn and repeat. Shake off excess coating.
- Place the chicken in the basket and cook for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. After 5-6 minutes of cooking, remove the basket and carefully flip over the chicken, using tongs.
- Garnish with fresh oregano or parsley. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Chicken recipes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 236kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 46mg
