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Best Easy Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe for Kids

crispy air fryer chicken breast - featured image

This crispy air fryer chicken breast is juicy on the inside and perfectly golden on the outside. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 25 minutes, it’s a family-friendly dinner that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (23 breasts)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, pound to 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness. Season both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. In a shallow bowl, place 2 tablespoons mayonnaise. In another shallow bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well.
  3. Spread a thin, even layer of mayonnaise over all sides of each chicken breast. Press each mayo-coated breast into the breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat all sides. Press firmly so the breading adheres.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Place breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not touching. Lightly spray tops with olive oil spray.
  6. Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Flip chicken, spray the other side lightly with oil, and cook for another 5-8 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before cutting. For gluten-free, use gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken breast, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, kid-friendly chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken