This Parmesan crusted chicken is a quick and flavorful creation perfect for busy nights. Featuring juicy chicken breasts coated in creamy mayo and encrusted with crunchy panko, rich Parmesan, garlic powder, and dried basil, each bite delivers a delightful balance of a crispy exterior and a tender interior. Experience a flavor sensation.
I like preparing this air fryer parmesan crusted chicken with mayo because it’s a fast and tasty dish that doesnt compromise on flavor or nutritional value. I start with 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are low in fat and high in protein which is great for a balanced diet.
I mix 2 tablespoons of mayo, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and a bit of garlic powder and dried basil to give the dish a boost. Then I coat the chicken with 1/3 cup of panko breadcrumbs along with a pinch of salt and black pepper for extra flavor.
The secret to a crispy outside and juicy inside is making sure the chicken gets evenly coated for perfect air fried food are you know. With air fryer cooking times in mind, this recipe is not only quick – taking just under 15 minutes – but also fits nicely into my collection of quick chicken breast recipes baked in an air fryer.
Enjoy making this delightful dish!
Why I Like this Recipe
I really like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First off, its got that amazing crispy crust on the outside but remains super juicy on the inside, which is just the perfect combo for any meal. I’m also all about how fast it comes together – around 15 minutes and you have a tasty dinner ready when you’re in a rush. And the flavor? The mix of mayo, Parmesan and those spices like garlic powder and basil really brings out a kick that makes every bite interesting. Finally, I love that its pretty simple to make and doesn’t need too many fancy steps, making it a great go-to recipe when I wanna impress without too much hassle.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: lean proteins that build muscle and provide essential nutrients, super healthy.
- Mayo: adds a smooth creaminess and moisture, enhancing flavor though it adds some fat.
- Parmesan cheese: offers protein, calcium, and a rich, salty taste that cheers the dish.
- Panko breadcrumbs: create a crispy, light coating with subtle crunch and extra flavor.
- Garlic powder: provides a savory punch that mixes well with other spices in the recipe.
- Dried basil: infuses a fresh, herbal note that lightens the rich Parmesan flavor.
- Olive oil or cooking spray: helps crisp the crust while keepin the chicken moist.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil
How to Make this
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F if your model requires preheating.
2. Pat the chicken breasts dry and if they are too thick, lightly flatten them with a mallet or your hand.
3. Rub both sides of each chicken breast with mayo until they are well coated.
4. In a shallow dish, mix together the grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
5. Dredge the mayo-coated chicken in the Parmesan mixture by pressing firmly so that the crumbs stick well.
6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or drizzle a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
7. Place the chicken breasts in the basket ensuring they don’t overlap.
8. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for about 7 minutes on one side.
9. Flip the chicken carefully and cook for another 7 minutes until the coating is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
10. Let the chicken rest for a minute or two before serving to keep it juicy and enjoy your tasty meal.
Equipment Needed
1. Air fryer with basket
2. Meat mallet or flat tool for pounding chicken
3. Shallow dish for mixing the seasoning and crumbs
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Tongs for flipping the chicken
6. Paper towels for patting the chicken dry
7. Spray bottle or small brush to apply oil if needed
FAQ
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken With Mayo Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of mayo, you can use plain Greek yogurt which gives a similar creamy texture with less fat.
- If you don’t have grated Parmesan, Asiago or Romano cheeses work just as well and add a nice tang.
- Panko breadcrumbs can be swapped with regular breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes if you want a crunchier coating.
- For garlic powder, try using a small amount of finely minced fresh garlic to perk up the flavor.
- If dried basil isn’t available, dried oregano is a good alternative that still brings a nice herbal note.
Pro Tips
1. If your chicken breasts are too thick, give ’em a good flatten so they cook evenly. It helps avoid that weird situation where some parts are overcooked while others are still raw.
2. When you’re coating the chicken, press the Parmesan and breadcrumbs mixture on hard so it really sticks. That extra pressin makes a big difference in how crunchy it turns out.
3. Let your chicken rest for a few minutes after you cook it. Trust me, this step lets the juices settle in and keeps the meat from bein dry.
4. If you like a bit of heat, try mixin a pinch of paprika or cayenne into the coating mix. It’s a small tweak that can really boost the flavor.
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken With Mayo Recipe
This Parmesan crusted chicken is a quick and flavorful creation perfect for busy nights. Featuring juicy chicken breasts coated in creamy mayo and encrusted with crunchy panko, rich Parmesan, garlic powder, and dried basil, each bite delivers a delightful balance of a crispy exterior and a tender interior. Experience a flavor sensation.
2
servings
450
kcal
Equipment: 1. Air fryer with basket
2. Meat mallet or flat tool for pounding chicken
3. Shallow dish for mixing the seasoning and crumbs
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Tongs for flipping the chicken
6. Paper towels for patting the chicken dry
7. Spray bottle or small brush to apply oil if needed
Ingredients
-
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-
2 tablespoons mayo
-
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
-
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
-
Salt to taste
-
Black pepper to taste
-
Cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F if your model requires preheating.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and if they are too thick, lightly flatten them with a mallet or your hand.
- Rub both sides of each chicken breast with mayo until they are well coated.
- In a shallow dish, mix together the grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
- Dredge the mayo-coated chicken in the Parmesan mixture by pressing firmly so that the crumbs stick well.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or drizzle a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the chicken breasts in the basket ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer for about 7 minutes on one side.
- Flip the chicken carefully and cook for another 7 minutes until the coating is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for a minute or two before serving to keep it juicy and enjoy your tasty meal.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 300g
- Total number of serves: 2
- Calories: 450kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 10g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Potassium: 500mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Vitamin A: 300IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 1mg
