Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast are lightly coated in Greek yogurt and parmesan cheese before being air fried until crisp and juicy. This low carb and gluten free recipe is a healthy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
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Check out my recipes for Healthy Air Fryer Pickles or Air Fryer Zucchini Chips for more air fryer recipes.
If you're as obsessed with your air fryer as I am, you'll love these air fryer parmesan crusted chicken breast. The chicken comes out incredibly tender and the parmesan crust comes out perfectly toasted.
Once you see how easy it is to make this in the air fryer, you'll be making it regularly. Absolutely delicious homemade "fried" chicken breast made with healthy ingredients in just a few minutes. Low in carbs and calories but high in flavor, this meal is one even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Air fryer cooking is quick - have dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less.
- The parmesan crust is SO crispy and flavorful and the meat is SO tender. The yogurt helps keep the breasts perfectly moist while the crust packs the chicken with flavor.
- It's low carb, keto-friendly, and a great source of protein.
- Kids love crispy, crunchy, cheesy chicken!
- You can eat it plain, on a salad or in a low carb wrap.
- They are the perfect vehicle for your favorite dipping sauces and dressings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Breast (skinless, boneless): Choose smaller breasts that are uniform in size and shape with little to no visible fat.
- Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture, helps tenderize the chicken and helps the parmesan and spices stick to the chicken.
- Parmesan Cheese (shredded): Serves as the "breading." It crisps well when air-fried or baked.
- Garlic Powder: Adds light garlic flavor to the parmesan crust.
- Seasoning Salt & Ground Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the whole dish.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Step 2: Using a spatula, spoon, or butter knife, spread the yogurt mixture onto the chicken breast. Make sure the chicken is coated evenly, top and bottom.
Step 3: Next, remove the air fryer basket and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 4: Without overcrowding the basket, place coated chicken in a single layer and cook at 380 ℉ for 15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
Step 5: Check for doneness. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165 ℉. Measure this at the thickest part of the chicken. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches temperature.
Step 6: If cooking in batches set cooked chicken aside on a clean plate as you continue cooking the remaining chicken. Enjoy!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- One 4 ounce breast is technically a serving. Keep that in mind when calculating how much chicken you will need. I'd bet on each hungry mouth wanting at least 2 servings.
- If working with larger chicken breasts, it's best to pound them down flat to ensure even cooking. A quick way to do this is to place the chicken in a large resealable bag and then pound out the breasts from the outside of the sealed bag.
- Instead of pounding out the chicken breasts, you can use chicken precut cutlets.
- Give the chicken enough room in the air fryer basket. If the chicken is too crowded it won't cook evenly and the crust will turn out soggy.
- Keep an eye on your food, so it doesn't burn! Begin checking for doneness for around 12 minutes. There are many different air fryer brands and they all heat up differently.
How To Serve Parmesan Chicken Breast
- Keep things light. Slice and serve on a fresh green salad with your favorite vinaigrette.
- For a satisfying keto meal serve with dairy free mashed cauliflower and a green veggie, like spinach, asparagus, or broccoli.
- Make chicken parmesan. Simply top cooked parmesan-crusted chicken with your favorite marinara sauce, fresh basil, and more parmesan. Serve with gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, etc.
Variations
- Make air-fried chicken tenders. Use chicken tenderloins or slice chicken breasts into strips before coating in the yogurt-parmesan mixture. Adjust cook times accordingly.
- Use mayo instead of Greek yogurt. The fat content helps keep the chicken moist and is also a good way to up the fat if you're following a keto diet.
- Cut the amount of parmesan in half and use equal parts seasoned Panko breadcrumbs for another layer of crunch and flavor.
- Switch up the flavor by switching up the seasonings. Use your favorite savory spice blend (like garlic & herb or Italian).
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Place cooled chicken in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked chicken breast by placing the cooled chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag. Stored properly, the frozen cooked chicken will last for up to 9 months.
Recipe FAQ‘s
You can, but keep in mind the flavor difference between breasts and thighs. If using thighs, they should be boneless and pounded out to ½ inch thickness.
Lean meat needs some sort of fat or oil on the surface to prevent it from drying out in the air fryer. In this recipe, Greek yogurt does just that.
Let the cooked chicken cool to room temperature, place in air fryer basket and reheat 2 to 4 minutes on each side (or until crust is re-crisped and chicken is warmed through).
Yes, but you'll need to add more cooking time. I suggest internally checking to ensure it is safe to serve. The temperature chicken should be cooked to is 165 ℉.
Yes, you'll want to flip so both sides get crispy, and to make sure it is evenly cooked.
Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Using a spatula, spoon, or butter knife, spread the yogurt mixture onto the chicken breast. Make sure the chicken is coated evenly, top and bottom.
- Next, remove the air fryer basket and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Without overcrowding the basket, place coated chicken in a single layer and cook at 380°F for 15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Check for doneness. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F. Measure this at the thickest part of the chicken. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches temperature.
- If cooking in batches set cooked chicken aside on a clean plate as you continue cooking the remaining chicken. Enjoy!
Notes
- One 4 ounce breast is technically a serving. Keep that in mind when calculating how much chicken you will need. I’d bet on each hungry mouth wanting at least 2 servings.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°. Measure this at the thickest part of the chicken. Continue cooking until chicken reaches temperature.
- Different air fryer brands may cook at different rates, so be sure to keep on eye on food.
- If working with larger chicken breasts, it’s best to pound them down flat to ensure even cooking. A quick way to do this is to place the chicken in a large resealable bag and then pound out the breasts from the outside of the sealed bag.
- Instead of pounding out the chicken breasts, you can use chicken precut cutlets.
- Give the chicken enough room in the air fryer basket. If the chicken is too crowded it won’t cook evenly and the crust will turn out soggy.
- Storing: Place cooled chicken in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooked chicken breast by placing the cooled chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag. Stored properly, the frozen cooked chicken will last for up to 9 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Lisa
I have made this recipe before and it’s delicious! Do you have recommendations on cooking if I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Thank you!
Kate
I would use boneless thighs if you were going to use thighs. This way you can open them up and get them crusted in all the nooks and crannies. Chicken thighs usually have more moisture/fat so the outside might be a little more "wet" even when they're fully cooked, but they should be juicy and delicious. Let me know how it works out if you give that a try!
Alpha A Ott
I made it tonight and it is MOST DELICIOUS!!! I will make this a part of regular dinners in our house..Thank you!!
Melissa
What is the fat content of Greek yogurt that you used?
simplylowcal
I use nonfat Greek yogurt.
Jessica | Primal Edge Health
This is SO my kind of recipe! I love using yogurt marinades, can't wait to try this!
Annissa
I don't use my air fryer nearly enough. I love everything that comes out of it, though. This chicken recipe looks delicious and I love that it's low-carb. A must-try recipe!
Emily Liao
I love how these are made so easily in the air fryer! Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal 🙂
Kelli
Such a good idea using just Greek yogurt and parmesan! I don't have an air-fryer unfortunately but it makes me want to try a baked version and maybe just broil it at the end of cooking.
simplylowcal
Thanks, Kelli. These would still taste great baked in the oven, then finishing them off with the broiler for a bit of crispiness. 🙂
Corinne
This looks delicious! I love chicken and I love my air fryer, so this is a great combination. I can't live without my air fryer if I'm being honest haha! Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
Whitney
I absolutely love the parmesan crust and made with greek yogurt! Great idea!
Kari Hermann
Parmesan crusted anything is my favorite. I love that this is so easy to make!
Suzy
Loving how you used the greek yogurt for the chicken! The air fryer cooks them up perfectly every time!
stephanie
The parmesan crust on this is so good! Perfect for a quick dinner.
Marlynn
We've been using our air fryer almost every day recently. We'll have to give this a try! Looks delicious.
Rebecca
this looks delish! love this simple recipe
Kelly Anthony
I don't own an air fryer but after reading this recipe I want one so I can make this parmesan-crusted chicken breast.
Priya Lakshminarayan
The more air fryer success recipes I see, I am tempted to get one
Emily Liao
The parmesan crust on this is so good! Perfect to pop in the air fryer for a delicious weekday dinner.
Veena Azmanov
Air Fryer sounds interesting. Love the Cheese option to this yummy chicken. Delicious.