Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Printable)

Crispy golden 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 tsp paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Wet Mix

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

→ For Air Frying

11 - Olive oil spray

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the 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 until combined.
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 ensure breading adheres properly.
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 - Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy coating without drowning chicken in oil or standing over a hot stove.
  • Ready in under half an hour, perfect for those nights when everyone is starving and patience is thin.
  • High protein and way lighter than fried versions, so you can feel good about seconds.
  • Kids love them, adults love them, and they reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
02 -
  • Do not skip drying the chicken, wet meat equals soggy breading no matter how hot your air fryer is.
  • Flip them gently with tongs so the coating stays intact, rough handling can knock off all that beautiful crust.
  • If your air fryer is small, cook in batches rather than crowding the basket or nothing will crisp up properly.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, guessing can leave you with undercooked centers or dried out edges.
  • Spray the basket lightly with oil before adding the chicken so nothing sticks and cleanup stays easy.
  • Double the batch and freeze half unbaked, then you have a head start on your next busy weeknight.
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