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Using an air fryer is one of my favourite ever kitchen changes. I own a multi-cooker, a Ninja Foodi OL750UK, and I regularly use both the slow cooker and air fryer functions. This works so well, and allows for crispier food without lots of added calories from oil. Also, it’s healthier for my little ones too. This air fryer breaded chicken breast is very simple, crisps up beautifully and is a real hit in my home when served with some air fryer chips, whether homemade or frozen crinkle cut chips.
I’m a busy working Mum of two, who is a real fan of a hot lunch, and loves to meal plan. This breaded chicken is super simple to prepare, taking just a couple of minutes if you use shop bought breadcrumbs. This is one of my easiest air fryer chicken recipes as it takes just minutes to prepare.
Sometimes I’ll make this in advance, in batches and freeze it on a flat baking tray, to cook from frozen. Usually I’m making and preparing this from fresh – which is what this particular recipe is based on.
Batch cooking food allows me to save time and effort, which is perfect when running around after my girls and our new puppy!
All you will need for this recipe is a few herbs and seasonings, breadcrumbs and 20 minutes of time.
This is great to serve to fussy little ones, particularly chicken nugget fans. I love to make a batch up, cook it and then have it on hand for using in sandwiches and salads for a few days.
If you’re looking for some alternative serving ideas then be sure to check out my air fryer side dishes and Ninja air fryer recipes.
Ingredients for making breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 per person)
Spray oil
1 egg
30g breadcrumbs (I use either golden breadcrumbs or panko bread crumbs)
Salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon herbs of choice (I love to use rosemary, garlic salt, sage or paprika)
Method for making air fryer breaded chicken breasts:
If you have large chicken breast fillets then slice them in half lengthways to make chicken fillets which are not too thick. You can buy chicken cutlets, but I find these harder to source in UK supermarkets these days.
Crack the egg and whisk in a bowl. Add your herbs to this whisked egg.
Add your breadcrumbs to a separate bowl. Add salt and pepper to the breadcrumbs.
Pre-heat your air fryer to 200C.
Prepare your chicken breasts by removing any fat or skin.
Dip the chicken breasts into the egg, then add to the breadcrumb bowl. Turn over several times to ensure even coverage. You can repeat this step if you want a large amount of breading.
Spray the air fryer basket with spray oil IF you use this. I typically skip this step now.
Add the breaded chicken breasts to your air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook at 200C (390F approx) for 6 minutes.
Turn over to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.
Cook for a further 6 minutes at 200C (390F approx).
Check that the chicken is at the safe internal cooking temperature for chicken (75C/165F approx) before serving.
If you like you can rest the chicken breast for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Alternatively you can serve up the whole chicken breast alongside the rest of your dinner.
Don’t have an egg to hand?
If you don’t have any eggs then you could use mayonnaise instead. Spread this across the chicken breast, on both sides, and then dip in the breadcrumbs turning several times.
Buttermilk also works well, and is a great item to use, particularly as you can make it yourself using very basic ingredients such as milk and lemon juice.
Want to use chicken with a bone in?
You absolutely can do this, however, you’ll want to increase the cooking time by at least a few minutes and ensure that you use a meat thermometer to check it is cooked thoroughly.
Want to use an alternative breading?
Mayo and flour works quite well, as does using crushed cornflakes for the breadcrumbs instead.
What to serve with breaded chicken?
I’ve got a TON of amazing recipes but some of our favourites are air fryer mashed potatoes, air fryer green beans, air fryer broccolini and it works so well with a lovely onion gravy too.
Alternatively air fryer sweet potato fries, air fryer diced potatoes or air fryer hasselback potatoes offer something a little different.
Want to cook your vegetables at the same time?
As this dish is a little shorter on cooking time than most of my other chicken recipes you can add the vegetables either at the beginning, or halfway through, depending on what you’re wanting to add in.
Some of my favourite air fryer vegetables to cook are peppers, onions, green beans, tenderstem broccoli, carrots or courgettes. These all work very well and bring lots of extra flavour to the dinner too.
Looking to try this recipe with a different cut of chicken?
All cuts of chicken can work for this breaded chicken recipes. Adjust the cooking time, based on the cut you use. Bone in cuts such as chicken wings, legs, thighs and drumsticks will need a few extra minutes.
This works semi well with frozen chicken too, such as frozen chicken thighs, tender, strips or even frozen chicken nuggets.
Want to try some of my other chicken recipes instead?
- Air fryer cajun chicken
- Peri peri chicken in the air fryer – great for peri peri chicken pasta
- Air fryer rosemary chicken breast
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Chicken fajitas in the air fryer
- Air fryer hunters chicken – tasty BBQ chicken wrapped in bacon
- Air fryer BBQ chicken breast
Looking for some alternative seasonings to use on air fried crispy chicken bread?
Something to note about air fryer recipes is that all air fryers have different sizes, depths and as such the cooking times can vary. All air fryer recipes on this website are intended as a guide, and not a guarantee that the timings will be perfect. Enjoy!
These are some of my favourite air fryer cookbooks and accessories:
How to make air fryer crispy breaded chicken breasts:
Air fryer breaded chicken breast
How to make breaded chicken breasts, from scratch, in the air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Spray oil
- 1 egg
- 60 g breadcrumbs I use either golden breadcrumbs or panko bread crumbs
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon herbs of choice I love to use rosemary, garlic salt, sage or paprika
Instructions
-
If you have large chicken breast fillets then slice them in half lengthways to make chicken fillets which are not too thick. You can buy chicken cutlets, but I find these harder to source in UK supermarkets these days.
-
Crack the egg and whisk in a bowl. Add your herbs to this whisked egg.
-
Add your breadcrumbs to a separate bowl. Add salt and pepper to the breadcrumbs.
-
Pre-heat your air fryer to 200C.
-
Prepare your chicken breasts by removing any fat or skin.
-
Dip the chicken breasts into the egg, then add to the breadcrumb bowl. Turn over several times to ensure even coverage. You can repeat this step if you want a large amount of breading.
-
Spray the air fryer basket with spray oil IF you use this. I typically skip this step now.
-
Add the breaded chicken breasts to your air fryer basket in a single layer.
-
Cook at 200C (390F approx) for 6 minutes.
-
Turn over to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.
-
Cook for a further 6 minutes at 200C (390F approx).
-
Check that the chicken is at the safe internal cooking temperature for chicken (75C/165F approx) before serving.
-
If you like you can rest the chicken breast for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Alternatively you can serve up the whole chicken breast alongside the rest of your dinner.
Note: All calorie information is for demonstration purposes only and is based on the specific uncooked ingredients that I used when creating the recipe.
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