Panko Crusted Chicken is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or special occasion entree. The combination of Panko breadcrumbs and savory herbs make this dish truly irresistible.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The chicken is breaded in Panko breadcrumbs and then air fried until it is crispy and golden brown. Here's a few additional reasons why you'll love this easy air fryer Panko chicken recipe:
- Easy to make. This recipe only requires a few ingredients and can be made in just a few minutes.
- Delicious. The chicken is breaded in Panko breadcrumbs and then air fried until it is crispy and golden brown.
- Versatile. Panko Crusted Chicken can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, vegetables, or pasta.
- Healthy. This recipe is low-fat and healthy, making it a great option for those who are looking for a healthier alternative to fried chicken.
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Ingredients
Panko Crusted Chicken is also a great option for those who are looking for a healthier alternative to fried chicken!
- Chicken breasts - Boneless, skinless, butterflied into two fillets each.
- Panko bread crumbs - Plain, or seasoned.
- Flour - All purpose flour.
- Parsley - Dry, or freshly chopped.
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Egg
- Dijon Mustard
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Panko Crusted Chicken
Panko Crusted Chicken is a quick and easy meal that can be served with a variety of sides. The best part is that you don't need any fancy ingredients or hard-to-find items. This delicious air fryer Panko chicken recipe uses simple pantry staples like flour, garlic powder, paprika and an egg.
Toast the Panko Bread Crumbs
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and Spread Panko bread crumbs on a baking sheet. Toast for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove and cool, transfer to a plate.
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally so that you get two chicken fillets from each breast.
Pro Tip: I don't recommend toasting the bread crumbs in the air fryer. The circulating hot hair will send them flying everywhere, as they are so delicate and light!
- Add the flour and seasonings to the cooled toasted Panko bread crumbs, and mix together.
- Whisk together the egg and Dijon mustard in a medium mixing bowl to blend.
Coat Chicken
- Dip each chicken breast fillet in the bowl of whisked egg and Dijon mustard, turning to coat both sides of the chicken breast fillets.
Coat with Seasoned Panko Crumbs
- Dredge the egg and mustard coated chicken breast fillets in the Panko and seasoned flour mixture, making sure the Panko mixture adheres to the chicken.
- Use a pair of tongs to turn each chicken breast fillet so that both sides are evenly coated.
Air Fry Panko Crusted Chicken
- Place the Panko crusted chicken breast fillets in the air fryer basket with space between chicken portions. Air fry at 375 F for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a ThermoPro or any instant read thermometer to verify the thickest part of the chicken breast fillets is 165F.
PRO TIP: If you are concerned about the chicken sticking, use a little vegetable oil with an Oil Sprayer. Don't use non stick cooking spray, the propellants can damage the cooking elements of the air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Panko Crusted Chicken with our Bob Evan's Mashed Potatoes, Easy Chimichurri Rice, or any other sides you love. A marinara sauce is great to serve as a 'gravy' also. More serving suggestions include our recipes for:
- Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots
- Gouda Au Gratin Potatoes
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- English Pea Salad
Related Recipes
Substitutions
There are a few substitutions and variations that can be made to this Panko Crusted Chicken recipe for additional flavor or flair. Here are a few ideas:
- Substitute boneless, skinless turkey breast cutlets for the chicken breasts.
- Use a different type of breading, such as Italian breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Add additional herbs or spices to the breading, such as cumin, smoked paprika, or curry powder.
- Serve Panko Crusted Chicken with your favorite dipping or marinara sauce.
Variations
There are many different ways to flavor oven baked Panko crusted chicken. You can use your favorite herbs and spices, or you can try one of these recipes:
- Lemon and Garlic Panko Crusted Chicken: In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Brush the chicken with the lemon mixture, then coat it in Panko breadcrumbs. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
- Parmesan and Herb Panko Crusted Chicken: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Brush the chicken with olive oil, then coat it in the Parmesan mixture. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
- Cajun Panko Crusted Chicken: In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Brush the chicken with the Cajun mixture, then coat it in Panko breadcrumbs. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this air fryer Panko chicken recipe.
- Nuwave Brio Air Fryer - Rotisserie - Grill - This 15 quart countertop Smart Oven has three slide in trays, that all can be used at the same time. You can air fry rotisserie chickens, an SO mush more!
- Nuwave Air Fryer 15 quart - This large family size basket air fryer has room to air fry enough for a large family!
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Nuwave Air Fryer 3 quart - This compact basket air fryer is perfect for singles or a small family of 2 or 3. You can air fry two frozen waffles in 4 minutes.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage
Panko Crusted Chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making air fryer Panko Crusted Chicken:
- Make sure the chicken is coated well with the Dijon coating before breading it. This will help the breading to stick to the chicken.
- Use a light hand when breading the chicken. Too much breading will make the chicken heavy and dense.
- Air fry the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant read thermometer like the ThermoPro to check.
- Serve immediately for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panko breadcrumbs are a type of Japanese breadcrumb that is made from white bread that has been dried and then crushed into small pieces. They are lighter and flakier than traditional breadcrumbs, which makes them ideal for air frying or baking.
Yes, your chicken will still come out delicious, but maybe not with quite the same light and crispy crust that Panko crumbs make.
Yes, or course! Use the back of a knife or a meat mallet and gently flatten the chicken tenders or chicken thighs so that they are not so thick.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken for this Panko chicken recipe. However, you will need to increase the cooking time by about 50%. For example, if you would normally bake chicken for 20 minutes, you would need to bake frozen chicken for 30 minutes.
Yes, The ideal temperature for baking this Panko chicken recipe is 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and crispy.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Panko Crusted Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 lb chicken breasts (4 to 5 oz each) - fillet each chicken breast in half
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon parsley fresh or dry, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and Spread Panko bread crumbs on a baking sheet. Toast for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove and cool, transfer to a plate.Pro Tip: I don't recommend toasting the bread crumbs in the air fryer. The circulating hot hair will send them flying everywhere, as they are so delicate and light!1½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally so that you get two chicken fillets from each breast.1 lb chicken breasts
- Add the flour and seasonings to the cooled toasted Panko bread crumbs, and mix together.3 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoon parsley
- Whisk together the egg and Dijon mustard in a medium mixing bowl to blend.2 large eggs, 3 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Dip each chicken breast fillet in the bowl of whisked egg and Dijon mustard, turning to coat both sides of the chicken breast fillets.
- Dredge the egg and mustard coated chicken breast fillets in the Panko and seasoned flour mixture, making sure the Panko mixture adheres to the chicken.
- Use a pair of tongs to turn each chicken breast fillet so that both sides are evenly coated.
- Place the Panko crusted chicken breast fillets in the air fryer basket with space between chicken portions. Air fry at 375 F for 5 minutes. PRO TIP: If you are concerned about the chicken sticking, use a little vegetable oil with an Oil Sprayer. Don't use non stick cooking spray, the propellants can damage the cooking elements of the air fryer.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a ThermoPro or any instant read thermometer to verify the thickest part of the chicken breast fillets is 165F.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is coated well with the Dijon coating before breading it. This will help the breading to stick to the chicken.
- Use a light hand when breading the chicken. Too much breading will make the chicken heavy and dense.
- Air fry the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant read thermometer like the ThermoPro to check.
- Serve immediately for the best results.
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