Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mayo

Crispy, juicy chicken made effortless in the air fryer—ready in under 15 minutes.

This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken delivers all the flavor and texture of fried chicken with a healthier twist. Coated in a garlic mayonnaise and crisped with a parmesan-panko blend, each bite is tender on the inside and golden on the outside. It’s the perfect quick dinner for busy weeknights that doesn’t skimp on flavor or crunch.

Why You’ll Love This

• Ready in just 15 minutes start to finish
• Crispy, golden exterior without deep frying
• Juicy and flavorful from garlic mayo coating
• Kid-friendly and adult-approved
• Minimal cleanup thanks to the air fryer

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally to make 4 fillets)
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or parsley leaves (for garnish)

Garlic Mayonnaise:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• Salt, to taste

Parmesan Coating:

• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat Air Fryer:
   Set air fryer to 390°F (199°C).
2. Prepare Chicken:
   Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 fillets. Cover with plastic wrap and pound to even thickness.
3. Make Garlic Mayo:
   In a small bowl, mix mayo, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Spread evenly over each fillet.
4. Coat in Parmesan Mixture:
   In a shallow bowl, combine parmesan and panko. Press each chicken fillet into the mixture to coat both sides. Shake off any excess.
5. Air Fry the Chicken:
   Place coated chicken into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Garnish and Serve:
   Sprinkle with fresh oregano or parsley and serve hot.

Tips / Storage / FAQs

Tips:

• Use freshly grated parmesan for the crispiest results
• Pound chicken evenly to ensure even cooking
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed

Storage:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to maintain crispiness

FAQs:

• Can I use regular breadcrumbs? Yes, but panko gives a crispier texture.
• Can I make it without mayo? You can substitute with Greek yogurt or skip entirely, but the mayo adds flavor and moisture.
• Can I bake instead? Yes, bake at 425°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a winning combo of convenience, crisp, and comfort. Whether you’re serving it with veggies, salad, or pasta, it’s a foolproof dinner the whole family will love—no frying required.

📖 Recipe

Print Pin

Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Make this crispy and juicy Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken in just 15 minutes. Coated in garlic mayo and parmesan for bold flavor with minimal effort.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally to make 4 fillets)
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or parsley leaves for garnish

Garlic Mayonnaise:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
• Salt to taste

Parmesan Coating:

• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer:

• Set air fryer to 390°F (199°C).

Prepare Chicken:

• Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 fillets. Cover with plastic wrap and pound to even thickness.

Make Garlic Mayo:

• In a small bowl, mix mayo, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Spread evenly over each fillet.

Coat in Parmesan Mixture:

• In a shallow bowl, combine parmesan and panko. Press each chicken fillet into the mixture to coat both sides. Shake off any excess.

Air Fry the Chicken:

• Place coated chicken into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

Garnish and Serve:

• Sprinkle with fresh oregano or parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for the crispiest results

Pound chicken evenly to ensure even cooking

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed