Crispy Baked Or Air-Fried Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor—this Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a guaranteed family favorite! The best part? You can make it in the oven or the air fryer for an easy, healthier twist on a classic crispy chicken dish.
The combination of parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and a blend of seasonings creates an irresistible crust while keeping the chicken juicy and tender inside. This recipe is perfect for weeknights, picky eaters, or even meal prep. Serve it with a side of veggies, pasta, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Let’s get cooking!
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling or spraying)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Pro Tips for the Best Parmesan Crusted Chicken
✅ Pound the chicken: If your chicken breasts are uneven, lightly pound them for even cooking.
✅ Use panko breadcrumbs: They make the crust extra crispy! Regular breadcrumbs work, but panko gives the best crunch.
✅ Let the coating set: Letting the breaded chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking helps the coating stick better.
✅ Use a wire rack (oven method): It helps air circulate for an even crispier crust.
✅ Don’t skip the oil: A light drizzle or spray of olive oil helps the coating turn golden and crispy.
Tools You’ll Need
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Meat mallet (optional)
- Shallow bowls for breading
- Baking sheet & wire rack (for oven method)
- Air fryer (for air fryer method)
- Tongs
- Parchment paper (optional)
Substitutions & Variations
- No panko? Use regular breadcrumbs but toast them slightly first for more crunch.
- Gluten-free? Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour and gluten-free panko.
- Spicy version? Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Cheesy upgrade? Melt shredded mozzarella on top during the last few minutes of cooking.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Bread the chicken and refrigerate it for up to 4 hours before cooking.
- Freeze breaded, uncooked chicken on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Oven or Air Fryer)
Step 1: Preheat Your Cooking Method
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on top for extra crispiness.
- Air Fryer Method: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Stations
Prepare three shallow bowls:
- One with flour
- One with whisked egg and milk
- One with panko, parmesan, and seasonings
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the egg mixture, ensuring full coverage.
- Press into the breadcrumb mixture, patting gently to adhere.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken (Oven or Air Fryer)
Oven Method:
- Place chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C).
Air Fryer Method:
- Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (do not overcrowd).
- Lightly spray with olive oil.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite sides!
Leftovers & Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes or in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes to keep it crispy.
- Freeze for up to 2 months; reheat directly from frozen.
Final Thoughts
Whether you bake it in the oven or crisp it up in the air fryer, this Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a foolproof hit! Try it out and let me know how it turns out in the comments. Happy cooking! 🍽️✨
Crispy Baked Or Air-Fried Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Meat mallet (optional)
- Shallow bowls for breading
- Baking sheet & wire rack (for oven method)
- Air fryer (for air fryer method)
- Tongs
- Parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for drizzling or spraying
- Fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Cooking Method
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on top for extra crispiness.
- Air Fryer Method: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Stations
- Prepare three shallow bowls:
- One with flour
- One with whisked egg and milk
- One with panko, parmesan, and seasonings
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the egg mixture, ensuring full coverage.
- Press into the breadcrumb mixture, patting gently to adhere.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken (Oven or Air Fryer)
Oven Method:
- Place chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C).
Air Fryer Method:
- Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (do not overcrowd).
- Lightly spray with olive oil.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite sides!
Notes
Gluten-free? Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour and gluten-free panko.
Spicy version? Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
Cheesy upgrade? Melt shredded mozzarella on top during the last few minutes of cooking. Make-Ahead Tips Bread the chicken and refrigerate it for up to 4 hours before cooking.
Freeze breaded, uncooked chicken on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
