Description

Crispy chicken breasts in the air fryer give you all the crunch of fried chicken, but with much less oil. This healthier twist on a classic is quick, simple, and perfect for a family meal or meal prepping for the week ahead. Whether you’re craving a crispy dinner or want something easy for lunch, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.

Ingredients

2 large boneless chicken breasts (cut into fillets or cutlets)

1 tablespoon oil (olive or vegetable)

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup fine breadcrumbs (can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs for dietary restrictions)

1 tablespoon flour (all-purpose, or almond flour for low-carb option)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon chili powder (or paprika for milder flavor)

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Instructions

Cut your chicken breasts into fillets or cutlets. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the thickest part of the fillets for even cooking.
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Coat the chicken fillets evenly with this mixture.
In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, chili powder (or paprika), and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix everything well to create the coating.
Press each chicken fillet into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coat on both sides. Press gently to make sure the coating sticks well.
Place the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not overlapping. Set the air fryer to 200°C / 390°F and cook for 8-9 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4 minutes to ensure both sides are crispy.
Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices, making it tender and flavorful when sliced.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C / 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
For a gluten-free option, swap regular breadcrumbs and flour with gluten-free breadcrumbs and almond flour.
If the chicken isn’t crispy enough, cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes or increase the temperature slightly.
Panko breadcrumbs can be used for extra crunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fillet
Calories: 250 kcal
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 70mg