Description
A quick and easy 20-minute dinner featuring boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in a crunchy mixture of panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, and seasonings, cooked in an air fryer for maximum crispiness without deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup (80g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture. Trim any excess fat or silverskin. Season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs. In the third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese.
- Dip a chicken thigh into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Press firmly into the panko-parmesan mixture to ensure a thick, even coating. Place on a clean plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Place chicken thighs in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray the tops of the chicken generously with oil.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. At the 6-minute mark, flip the chicken and spray the newly exposed side with oil.
- Continue cooking for another 6-9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is deep golden brown.
- Let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket as this leads to steaming rather than crisping. Ensure chicken is patted very dry before coating to help the crust adhere. For leftovers, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness; do not use a microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh per
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: air fryer chicken, parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, low carb dinner, meal prep chicken