Air-Fryer Panko Chicken: Cooking Time Perfection

Panko chicken is a tasty, healthy, and quick meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken breast cutlet, ranging from 4 to 10 minutes per side. The air fryer's ability to cook food evenly and quickly yields crispy and juicy chicken without the need for deep-frying. This recipe is versatile and can be served in wraps, salads, sandwiches, or with a dipping sauce.

Panko chicken tenders

To make the chicken tenders, you will need chicken breast, butter, eggs, flour, and panko breadcrumbs. You can also add spices and seasonings to the flour and breadcrumbs for extra flavor. For example, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

First, cut the chicken breast into tender-sized pieces. You can also cut the chicken breast in half to get thinner slices, which will cook faster and be crispier. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Then, dredge the tenders in flour, dip them in whisked egg, and dredge them in the panko breadcrumbs. You can also double-dip the tenders in egg and breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each tender. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will affect the crispiness of the tenders.

Finally, air fry the tenders at 400°F for 11-13 minutes, or until they are fully cooked (165°F) and golden brown. You can also air fry at 360°F for 4-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the tenders. Flip the tenders halfway through, or leave them unflipped to prevent the panko breading from coming off.

Serve the tenders with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch. Enjoy!

Using egg wash

Panko chicken is a delicious, healthy, and quick meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. It is super versatile and can be used in wraps, salads, sandwiches, and more.

To make panko chicken in an air fryer, start by preparing the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and dry them on a paper towel. You can also slice each breast to get two thinner slices. Next, prepare the dredge by mixing flour with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can use regular flour or oat flour.

Now, it's time for the egg wash. Crack a couple of eggs into a bowl and beat them thoroughly. You can also add milk or buttermilk to the egg wash for extra flavour and moisture. Dip the floured chicken pieces into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off.

After the egg wash, it's time to coat the chicken with panko breadcrumbs. Panko is a type of Japanese-style breadcrumb that gives the chicken a crunchier and crispier texture than regular breadcrumbs. You can use plain panko or season it with spices like onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also suggest mixing the panko with Parmesan cheese, oregano, and basil for extra flavour.

Use tongs to pick up each piece of chicken, shake off the excess egg wash, and then coat it thoroughly with the panko mixture. Press down with your palms to help the panko adhere to the chicken.

Once all the chicken pieces are coated, it's time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can range from 350°F to 400°F depending on the recipe. Place the breaded chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece.

The cooking time will depend on the temperature and the thickness of the chicken pieces. For thinner pieces, cook for about 4-8 minutes per side. For thicker pieces, it can take up to 10 minutes per side. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking process and spray with cooking oil if needed.

Your panko chicken is ready when it is golden brown and cooked through. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F when it's done.

Serve your air-fried panko chicken with your favourite dipping sauces, or enjoy it as a sandwich, wrap, or salad. It's a quick, tasty, and healthy meal that the whole family will love!

Reheating and storing

Panko chicken is a delicious, healthy, and quick meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The air fryer method is also a great way to reheat panko chicken to retain its crispiness.

Reheating

When reheating panko chicken in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the chicken is not overcrowded, allowing the hot air to circulate effectively and crisp the chicken on all sides. It is also recommended to let the chicken come to room temperature before reheating, which will allow the inside to cook thoroughly without drying out the outer crust.

To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 350ºF/175ºC for 5 minutes. Then, spray the basket with olive oil and place the chicken in a single layer. You can also spray the chicken lightly with oil. Increase the heat to 360ºF/180ºC and air fry for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until it is fully reheated to an internal temperature of 165ºF/74ºC.

The reheating time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces. Smaller pieces, such as wings and legs, will take between 3 and 7 minutes, while larger pieces like breasts and thighs will take 8-10 minutes.

Storing

Leftover panko chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It is important to let the chicken cool to room temperature before refrigerating, which should take about an hour.

For longer storage, panko chicken can be frozen and stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To freeze, it is recommended to cook the chicken completely and then freeze it tightly wrapped or in a covered container.

How to get the perfect crispy texture

Panko chicken is a delicious, healthy, and quick meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The air fryer is a great way to achieve a crispy texture without the need for deep-frying in oil.

To get the perfect crispy texture, start by preparing your chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into thin slices, as this will help them cook faster and become crispier. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, as this will help the coating stick better. You can also season the chicken with salt and pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.

Next, prepare your dredging station. Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with Panko breadcrumbs. You can also add Parmesan cheese, onion powder, oregano, basil, and garlic powder to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Dip the chicken pieces first in the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs, making sure to coat evenly at each step. For an extra crispy texture, you can double-dip the chicken by repeating the process.

Now, it's time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece. Spray the chicken with cooking oil, or use an oil-coated skillet, for extra crispness. Air fry for 4 to 10 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of your chicken. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden brown.

Finally, serve your crispy Panko chicken with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch. Enjoy the juicy and crispy perfection of your air-fried Panko chicken!

What to serve with panko chicken

Panko chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be used as a filling for wraps and sandwiches or as a topping for salads.

For a more indulgent option, serve panko chicken with a dipping sauce such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, marinara, hoisin, ranch, honey, or honey mustard. If you're looking for something more classic, try pairing it with a lemon cream sauce. This sauce is especially recommended if you're serving the chicken with asparagus and a potato/sweet potato hash.

Panko chicken also goes well with pasta. One recommended way to prepare this is to cook the panko chicken with a topping of marinara sauce and sliced cheese, then serve it with spaghetti, angel hair pasta, or linguine noodles, with extra marinara sauce on the side.

If you're looking for a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and serve the chicken with gluten-free pasta.

Frequently asked questions