Ingredients
Marinade
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (halved to make 4 breasts)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (plus an additional 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 1/2 tbsp chives
- 1 1/2 tbsp green onions
- 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
Coating
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Add all marinade ingredients including sour cream, onion powder, parsley, chives, green onions, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and sugar into a plastic zip bag or bowl. Mix thoroughly then add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate overnight for the flavors to infuse deeply.
- Prepare the chicken for breading: Remove the chicken from the marinade and let it come to room temperature, which helps with even cooking.
- Prepare egg wash and breadcrumb mixture: In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg. In another shallow bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest.
- Bread the chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the beaten egg, allowing excess egg to drip off. Then coat both sides generously with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to adhere the coating well. Shake off any excess crumbs.
- Preheat and prepare the air fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded chicken breasts inside in a single layer. Spray the tops of the chicken with a light coat of cooking spray to promote browning.
- Cook the chicken: Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken for 5 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the crust is golden and crispy. Cooking time may vary depending on thickness and size of the breasts.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight maximizes flavor and tenderness.
- Allowing the chicken to come to room temperature before cooking helps it cook evenly.
- Press the panko mixture firmly onto the chicken to ensure a thick, crispy crust.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model and chicken breast size.
- You can substitute chives and green onions with scallions if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American