Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Crispy and tender Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Thighs deliver big flavor with minimal effort. With simple ingredients and under 30 minutes of cook time, they're the perfect no-fuss protein for a busy weeknight dinner.

Looking for more delicious and easy weeknight meals? Try our Italian Cast Iron Pork Tenderloinor Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs!

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Why This Recipe

99% of the time, I'm not in the mood to deep fry something. Filling the pot with oil and getting it to the right temperature is a big production and makes my house smell for weeks.

I love these air fryer parmesan crusted chicken thighs because I get the texture and flavor of a nice comfort food deep-fried meal, but without all the hassle and clean up. There are certain foods I won't air fry, like the eggplant in my Eggplant Parmigiana or certain foods that just do better in a shallow fry, like zucchini in Zucchini Risotto.

For the most part, classic deep-fried recipes are getting air-fried in my house to save on time and clean up. Plus, it's way cheaper and doesn't use up a gallon of some kind of seed oil.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Boneless Chicken Thighs. Substitute chicken tenderloins. Or you can slice the thighs into strips for chicken strips. Boneless thighs are my favorite for fried chicken and you can substitute this cooking technique in my Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich!
• Panko Breadcrumbs. I like to use panko when I'm air frying. It gives a good crunch. Substitute regular breadcrumbs if necessary.
• Heavy Cream. I like to add heavy cream to the egg because it adds a little richness to the texture. You can see what different batters work well by taking a look at the experimentation we did in No Egg Chicken Cutlets!
• Creme Fraiche. Mascarpone is a good substitute. You can also leave the crème fraiche out and add another 2 tablespoon of butter.

*Please see the recipe card for more information on the ingredients.

How to make Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Step 1: Combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on a plate. Whisk the egg and heavy cream in a bowl. Batter the chicken thighs in the egg mixture, then dredge in the breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 400℉. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Step 3: Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or on a plate while still hot.

Step 4: While the chicken is cooking, add butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add in the garlic and lemon zest and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in the parsley.

Step 6: Once the bubbling subsides, add in the crème fraiche and parmesan. Lower the heat to low. Whisk the crème fraiche with the butter until well combined.

Step 7: While the chicken is still hot, toss in the sauce or use it as a dipping sauce, or skip the sauce and serve them in a Lemon Cream Sauce.

Air fryer parmesan crusted chicken thighs are the perfect comfort food to serve with REAL Italian Mac and Cheeseor Creamy Cherry Tomato Risotto! Add a side of Italian Lacinato Kale Recipe (Tuscan) and you'll have a balanced and delicious meal!

Pro-Tips

1. Press the breadcrumbs into the chicken thighs when dredging with panko. It's important to get full coverage to get the best texture.
2. Mix a little parmesan in the egg mixture with salt and pepper. This helps layer in the seasoning and flavor into every layer of the chicken.
3. You may have to air fry in batches to not overcrowd the air fryer.
4. If you're not serving immediately, then save the sauce to use as a dipping sauce.
5. The best way to reheat any air fryer meal is to put it right back in the air fryer.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

When I make these tender and crunchy boneless thighs, I serve them with roasted vegetables and something hearty like Creamy Potato and Onion Soup! Here are some more options:

• Vegetables. Try serving with something easy like Italian Green Bean Salad, Sauteed Rapini with Garlic, or a Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad with Pancetta.
• Pasta. This chicken would be perfect to serve over Authentic Fettuccine Alfredoor to serve in Creamy Chicken Parmesan Pasta.
• Salad. I'd also serve it alongside a bean salad like Kale and Cannellini Bean Salador something more traditional like a leafy green salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette!

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?

20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

How do you get breading to stick to the chicken?

You can paint the outside of the chicken with a thin layer of olive oil if you're worried about it sticking to the air fryer. Batter the chicken with egg and parmesan and use your hands to press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken.

How to reheat air fryer chicken?

It's best to reheat any air fryer chicken breast or thighs in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

More Fried Chicken Recipes

• Air Fryer Garlic Parm Wings
• Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
• Italian Chicken Cutlets
• No Egg Chicken Cutlets