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Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast made with simple ingredients and cooked until golden and crispy in the air fryer or a skillet. Juicy on the inside with a flavorful, cheesy crust on the outside, this easy chicken recipe is ready in just 25 minutes.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Davinah

Equipment

Ingredients

Chicken

1.25 lb chicken breasts thin-sliced
¼ cup mayonnaise full fat
Cooking spray avocado oil or olive oil spray
1 Lemon cut into wedges, optional for serving

Parmesan Crust

½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated from the refrigerated section of the market
¼ cup Panko Bread Crumbs Italian-style, or superfine blanched almond flour "bread crumbs"
1 tsp Dried Parsley
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Smoked Paprika
½ tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Italian Seasoning

Instructions

Add the parmesan crust ingredients to a shallow dish
Mix the Parmesan crust ingredients until well combined
Pat the chicken very dry, then place it in a bowl and toss with mayonnaise until evenly coated.
Press each piece firmly into the Parmesan mixture, packing the crust onto all sides.
Let the coated chicken rest for 5–10 minutes to help the crust adhere.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket and generously spray with cooking spray.
Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden.
Finish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon before serving.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting, browning and overall taste.
Don’t skip resting the coated chicken before cooking.
Use all of the crust on the chicken since the crust has all of the seasoning and spices to make the chicken taste great
Spray generously before cooking to encourage crisp texture.
Lighter option: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream. I've also made this recipe with yellow mustard, which adds a slightly tangy flavor.
Lower carb option: Replace panko with crushed pork rinds or Italian-style almond flour bread crumbs. If you can't find an Italian-style, simply season the plain version with garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley and Italian seasoning. You could also seasoning them with a salt-free garlic and herb blend.
Cheese variation: Try Pecorino Romano for a sharper bite.

Nutrition