Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Parmesan crusted chicken cooked in the air fryer! This air fryer garlic parmesan chicken is tender, moist, and packed with delicious flavors. Make this recipe under 30 minutes for dinner, lunch, or a protein-packed snack. Serve this with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.
Why you will love this recipe
By now, if you have successfully cooked chicken breast in your air fryer, then you will get the hype. It comes out moist, tender and juicy in the inside everytime. Depending on the recipe you are making, cooking this piece of white meat in the trusted air fryer is fairly quick and easy too.
Today’s recipe for parmesan-crusted chicken in the air fryer requires just 7 ingredients, including salt and pepper. It’s also hands-free and requires minimal prep.
It is super flavorful and moist, the mayonnaise and the addition of parmesan cheese takes this chicken to a whole new level. You can enjoy garlic parmesan chicken as a main dish to your favorite side, protein in your salad, or as a healthy snack.
My recipe doesn’t use any breadcrumbs making it a gluten-free and keto-friendly meal. The air fryer cooks the chicken to perfection, while it doesn’t have the same crunch as it would if it was crusted with breadcrumbs. It sure delivers on taste, and I do not miss using breadcrumbs. I bet you won’t either. Let’s get cooking.
Related recipes: parmesan crusted salmon and garlic parmesan orzo with spinach.
What you will need
Boneless skinless chicken breast
Parmesan cheese
Ranch seasoning
Garlic powder
Mayonnaise: both full fat or light mayo would work for this recipe
Smoked paprika: substitute with regular paprika
Pinch of salt and generous black pepper
Cayenne pepper for a little kick
How to make air fryer garlic parmesan chicken
Trim off any unwanted fat from the chicken breast and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel.
Preheat the air fryer to 360F /180C for 3-5 minutes. In the meantime, mix the seasoning.
To a small bowl, add ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper and mix well to combine.
Brush the smooth side of the chicken breasts with mayonnaise, then sprinkle some of the seasoning mix over it evenly. Then, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over it, gently patting it into the chicken so it adheres well.
Carefully place the chicken in the air fryer, seasoned side down, in the basket. Repeat the seasoning process for the other side of the chicken breast.
Cook in the air fryer at 365F /185C for 8-9 minutes. Flip the chicken and sprinkle the top of it with the reserved seasoning mix and parmesan cheese.
Air fry for 7-8 minutes at 3750F/190C or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature register 165F/73C when checked with a meat thermometer.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Watch how to make it
Tips
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure the chicken gets crispy on the outside.
- If time is not of the essence, season the chicken breast with the mayonnaise and spices at least 30 minutes before cooking to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some chopped herbs, such as parsley or basil, for an extra burst of flavor.
How to store
Keep leftover air fryer garlic parmesan chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
It can be eaten cold in salad, wrap or sandwich without reheating. To reheat, use the air fryer or the microwave.
You can freeze this chicken for up to 3 months
More air fryer chicken recipes you should try next
Air fryer chicken thighs and potatoes
Air fryer cilantro lime chicken
Frozen chicken thighs in air fryer
Air fryer chicken and broccoli stir fry
Air fryer shake and bake chicken
Naked chicken tenders in air fryer
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken (No Breading)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless skinless chicken breasts about 0.4lb/7oz
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated (reserve 1 Tablespoon)
- 1 Tablespoon Ranch seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise use full fat or light mayo
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or as needed
Instructions
- Trim off any unwanted fat from the chicken breasts and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360F /180C for 3-5 minutes. In the meantime, mix the seasoning.
- To a small bowl, add ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper and mix well to combine. Reserve about 1 teaspoon
- Brush the smooth side of the chicken breasts with mayonnaise, then sprinkle some of the seasoning mix over it evenly. Then, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over it, gently patting it into the chicken so it adheres well.
- Carefully place the chicken in the air fryer, seasoned side down, in the basket. Repeat the seasoning process for the other side of the chicken breasts (brush with mayo, then seasoning mix and parmesan cheese).While the chicken is cooking mix the reserved parmesan cheese and seasoning mix together and set aside.
- Cook in the air fryer at 365F /185C for 8-9 minutes. Flip the chicken and sprinkle the top of it with the reserved seasoning mix and parmesan cheese.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes at 375F/190C or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature register 165F/73C.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious air fryer chicken breast recipe you can make at home. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
This recipe made the chicken so moist and seasoned so wonderfully!!
Thank you so much, Kathi. I am glad you enjoyed it.