Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast is a healthier, crispier twist on classic fried chicken. With a golden coating and juicy center, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners without the extra oil.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 2 tbsp milk
• Olive oil spray

How To Make Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast

1. Prep the chicken – Pat chicken breasts dry and pound them to even thickness for consistent cooking.
2. Set up dredging station – In one bowl, whisk egg and milk. In another, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and spices.
3. Coat chicken – Dip each breast into egg mixture, then press into breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
4. Air fry – Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray basket with olive oil. Place chicken in basket in a single layer.
5. Cook – Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Rest & serve – Let rest for 2–3 minutes before slicing.

You Must Know

• Even thickness matters: Pound chicken to ½ inch thickness for best results.
• Crispy tip: Spraying a light coat of oil over the breading before cooking ensures a golden crunch.
• Don’t overcrowd: Cook in batches if needed so air circulates properly.

Topping Variations

• Cheesy Melt – Add mozzarella slices on top in the last 2 minutes.
• Lemon Herb – Sprinkle with fresh parsley and squeeze of lemon.
• Spicy Kick – Mix cayenne pepper or chili flakes into the breadcrumbs.
• Italian Style – Serve with marinara sauce and grated Parmesan.

Make It A Meal

• Pair with roasted vegetables or an air fryer baked potato.
• Add to salads for a protein boost.
• Slice into strips and serve with dips like honey mustard or ranch.
• Turn into a crispy chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a bun.

Pro Tips

• Use Panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture.
• Flip halfway to prevent soggy bottoms.
• Resting after air frying keeps juices inside.
• For freezer meal prep, bread chicken in advance, freeze, then cook straight from frozen (add 3–5 minutes to cooking time).

Recipe FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
A: Yes, but thaw them first for even breading and cooking.

Q: How do I keep the breading from falling off?
A: Press the coating firmly into the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before air frying.

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Absolutely—swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free ones or crushed cornflakes.

Q: What’s the best dipping sauce?
A: Ranch, honey mustard, spicy mayo, or marinara all work perfectly.

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast

Print Recipe

Easy crispy, tender and juicy air fryer chicken breast chicken. This is a healthier version of fried chicken and is cooked much quicker than in the oven or on the stovetop.

• Author: Julia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless, sliced into thin cutlets
• 1 tablespoon oil olive oil, canola, or vegetable oil
• ½ cup (25g) dried bread crumbs
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon dried chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Breaded Version:

1. Put the chicken breasts in a bowl and drizzle with oil. Make sure that they’re well coated.
2. In a shallow dish, mix the dried bread crumbs with the spices until well combined.
3. Coat each chicken breast in bread crumbs, and transfer to your air fryer basket.
4. Air fry in the air fryer at 390°F or 200°C for 10-12 minutes. After the first 7 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the chicken on the other side then continue cooking (cook for 3 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breast used).

Unbreaded Version:

1. Drizzle oil over your boneless skinless chicken breasts, and season with your favorite seasonings.
2. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the Air Fryer basket breast side down, and air fry for 12-15 minutes flipping halfway through using kitchen tongs.
3. When the cooking time is up, remove from the Air Fryer immediately so that the chicken does not dry out. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.