Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken
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Air fryer garlic parmesan chicken is dipped in garlic butter, coated with breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning!
Crispy air fryer garlic parmesan chicken will be your go-to meal for a busy weeknight. It is simple and quick and SO flavorful! We like making these with salt potatoes, cheesy pull apart bread, and chocolate chip pecan cookies.
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Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Air fried crispy and golden, packed with flavor.
📌 Make in the oven OR in the air fryer.
📌 Air fried and ready in less than 20 minutes!
📌 Garlic parmesan flavor combination is always top notch.
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken – Pictured are chicken thighs, but you can also use breasts or cutlets!
- Butter – We used unsalted in this recipe, if you use salted butter you may want to reduce the amount of salt you add later in the recipe.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, minced.
- Breadcrumbs – We used panko bread crumbs, you could also use homemade breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Cheese – Grated parmesan cheese.
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How do you make garlic parmesan chicken in the air fryer? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Set aside to rest.
⭐ Next, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Heat on low, stirring constantly, making sure the butter doesn’t brown and the garlic doesn’t burn. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
⭐ Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Dip each chicken thigh in the garlic butter, then transfer to the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture and turn the chicken to coat fully, gently pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken.
⭐ Last, working in batches, place chicken in a single layer into the basket of your air fryer. Cook chicken, flipping halfway through, until chicken has reached a safe internal temperature and is golden brown on the outside.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make air fryer garlic parmesan chicken in the oven?
Yes, place the chicken on a foil lined baking tray and bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees. If desired, you can place the chicken under the broiler for a minute or two to brown and crisp the outside a bit.
What kind of chicken works best for air fryer garlic parmesan chicken?
Obviously this recipe calls for chicken thighs, you can use boneless skinless thighs, or bone-in, skin-on or any combination of the two. You can also use chicken breasts, cutlets, or even drumsticks for this recipe.
Can you make air fryer garlic parmesan chicken in advance?
Yes, you can make these a day or two in advance and reheat. I would recommend reheating either in the oven or in the air fryer to keep the outside breading nice and crispy.
Storage and leftovers
How long does air fryer garlic parmesan chicken last?
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Store in an airtight container for best results.
How do you reheat air fryer garlic parmesan chicken?
We recommend reheating in the air fryer at the same temp you cooked them initially. Cook for 4-6 minutes or until crispy and warmed to your liking.
They can also be reheated in the toaster oven or microwave.
Can I freeze air fryer garlic parmesan chicken?
Yes, for best results, let them cool completely, chill them in the fridge for a few hours, wrap in parchment and place in a freezer safe, airtight container for 3-6 months.
Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the air fryer.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add in some red pepper flakes or cayenne to the breadcrumb mixture for a kick of heat!
✅ Use gluten free breadcrumbs to make these an easy gluten free meal.
✅ Make sure to use grated parmesan cheese over shredded or shaved for this recipe.
✅ Play with the seasonings in the breadcrumb mixture, try adding fresh or dried herbs such as parsley.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use pre-seasoned breadcrumbs for this recipe?
Certainly! While the recipe calls for Italian seasoning, you can use pre-seasoned breadcrumbs for added convenience. Adjust the salt and pepper accordingly based on the seasoning level of the breadcrumbs.
Is it necessary to use unsalted butter, or can I use salted butter for the garlic infusion?
The recipe uses unsalted butter to allow better control over the salt content. If you opt for salted butter, consider reducing the amount of salt added later in the recipe to achieve the desired taste.
Why do I need to pat the chicken dry before seasoning?
Patting the chicken dry with a paper towel helps remove excess moisture, allowing for a crispier exterior during the cooking process. It also helps the seasonings adhere better to the chicken.
Can I add other spices or herbs to the garlic butter for extra flavor?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the garlic butter infusion by adding your favorite herbs or spices. Experimenting with rosemary, thyme, or paprika can add unique and delicious notes to the dish.
Can I use a different type of cheese in place of Parmesan?
Absolutely! While Parmesan adds a distinct flavor, you can experiment with other cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or a blend of your favorites for a unique twist on the recipe.
What to eat with air fryer crispy parmesan chicken? (serving suggestions)
Air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs are so crispy and juicy, we love serving these on a busy weeknight! We like to make them with salt and vinegar potatoes, homemade honey mustard for dipping, and chocolate cheesecake for dessert!
More great air fryer recipes
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Air fryer BBQ chicken tacos
- Air fryer fried pickles
- Air fryer cauliflower
- Crispy air fryer tofu recipe
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Air fryer broccoli
- Air fryer mozzarella sticks
- Air fryer bacon
- See all our awesome air fryer recipes!
Other awesome chicken dishes to try
- Marry me chicken
- 40 clove garlic chicken
- Caprese chicken
- Chicken parmesan
- Hawaiian chicken
- Chicken alfredo
- Bourbon chicken
- See all our chicken dinner recipes!
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Tools you’ll love
- Digital air fryer – We have (pictured) this Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. It’s great!
- Kitchen tongs – Every kitchen needs a good pair of tongs.
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs (or other cut of chicken similarly sized)
- ½ cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over very low heat. Add the garlic and continue heating on very low, stirring constantly, for several minutes making sure the butter doesn't brown and the garlic doesn't burn. Remove from heat, transfer the butter and garlic to a bowl and allow to cool slightly. (This can also be done in a microwave if preferred).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
- Dip each piece of chicken in the garlic butter, then transfer to the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture and turn to coat fully, gently pressing the crumbs onto the chicken.
- Working in batches, place chicken in a single layer into the basket of your air fryer (we are ab le to fit 4 pieces of chicken at once).
- Cook at 370℉ for 12 minutes, flip the chicken, then cook an additional 5 to 7 minutes, until chicken has cooked through to an internal temperature of 165℉.
Notes
Nutrition
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Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken
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This recipe is amazing!! It’s so crispy & baked to perfection & has great flavor!! Garlic, parmesan flavors are the best!!
This is so tasty!! Thanks so much for the recipe! I will definitely make it again!
My fam loves and enjoys this air fryer garlic parmesan chicken. It’s garlicky, delicious and pleasing. We’ll surely make this again!
Can EVOO be substituted for butter?