1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch, using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This helps the chicken cook evenly.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow dish, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- In another shallow dish, place the beaten eggs.
3. Coat the Chicken:
- Dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs, shaking off any excess.
- Press the chicken into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, coating it evenly on all sides. Press the coating gently onto the chicken to help it adhere.
4. Cook in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil.
- Place the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for air circulation.
- Spray the tops of the chicken breasts with a light coat of cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cook the chicken in the preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
5. Serve:
- Once cooked, remove the Parmesan-crusted chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve hot with your favorite side dishes, such as steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Enjoy your crispy and flavorful air fryer Parmesan-crusted chicken! Adjust the seasoning and cooking time according to your preferences and the thickness of the chicken breasts.