Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Printable Version)

Golden crispy chicken strips with Parmesan breading, made healthier in the air fryer with minimal oil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

→ Breading

02 - 3/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Wet Mix

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tablespoons low-fat milk

→ For Air Frying

11 - Olive oil spray

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken strips dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and low-fat milk.
04 - In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Arrange coated strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil spray.
07 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that deep-fried crunch and tenderness without feeling like you need a nap afterward.
  • The whole wheat and Parmesan create a savory crust that tastes intentional, not like a compromise.
  • Cleanup takes about two minutes because there is no oil splatter anywhere.
  • These reheat beautifully the next day, staying crisp instead of turning soggy.
02 -
  • Do not skip the olive oil spray, or your breading will stay pale and dry instead of turning into that crispy shell you are hoping for.
  • Overcrowding the basket traps steam and makes everything soggy, so cook in batches if you need to rather than piling them in.
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before breading so it cooks more evenly and stays juicy inside.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of guessing, because overcooked chicken strips are sad and dry no matter how good the breading looks.
  • If your breadcrumbs are not sticking well, let the coated strips rest on a plate for five minutes before air frying so the coating sets.
  • Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for an hour before breading if you have time, it makes them ridiculously tender and flavorful.
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