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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken with Herbs

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This crispy air fryer chicken recipe delivers juicy, golden chicken with a crunchy panko and herb coating—all in under 30 minutes. It’s a foolproof, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s easy to customize and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (about 900 g) chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks, bone-in and skin-on preferred)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary), finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Zest from 1 small lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes while prepping the coating.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, chopped fresh herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon zest (if using). Stir to combine.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with 2 tablespoons olive oil until smooth.
  4. Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, coating all sides. Let excess drip off, then press into the panko-herb mixture, ensuring full coverage. Set aside on a plate.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Arrange chicken in a single layer, skin side up, leaving space between pieces. Work in batches if needed.
  7. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes. Flip chicken with tongs, brush tops with a little more olive oil, and cook for another 8-10 minutes, until coating is deep golden and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
  8. Remove chicken from basket and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free panko. For egg-free, substitute 2 tbsp unsweetened plain yogurt or a flax egg. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; work in batches for best crispiness. Let chicken rest after cooking for juicier results. If using boneless or smaller cuts, reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken, crispy chicken, herb chicken, easy dinner, panko chicken, weeknight meal, gluten-free option, dairy-free, healthy fried chicken

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-recipe-best-easy-herb-dinner-idea/