Description

This Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Breast is juicy on the inside with a golden, crunchy coating on the outside. It’s a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken and cooks up fast with simple ingredients. Perfect for a quick dinner, sandwiches, or salads!

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as a substitute)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Cooking spray or a drizzle of oil

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Instructions

Pound the chicken: Use a meat mallet to flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about ½ inch thick.
Marinate: Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours in the fridge).
Prepare breading: In a shallow bowl, mix panko, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge both sides in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help it stick.
Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes.
Air fry: Spray the air fryer basket and the chicken with cooking spray. Place chicken in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest and serve: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.

Notes

You can swap panko with crushed cornflakes for an extra crunch.
For added flavor, mix grated Parmesan into the breadcrumb mix.
Great for meal prep—store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 340
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 530mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 95mg