Description
This Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, topped with creamy dill pickle ranch and Parmesan cheese, and finished with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Air-fried to perfection, this quick and easy dish offers a tangy and savory twist on classic chicken, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds), sliced in half horizontally
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Toppings
- ½ cup (120 g) dill pickle ranch dressing, plus more for serving
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 3 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
Garnish
- Fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Make the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until evenly combined.
- Season the chicken: Evenly season the chicken breasts on all sides with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring full coverage for balanced flavor.
- Prepare the dill pickle ranch topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the dill pickle ranch dressing with ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
- Spread the topping: Evenly spread this dill pickle ranch and Parmesan mixture over the top side of each seasoned chicken breast.
- Make the breadcrumb topping: In a third bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese with the plain breadcrumbs. Mix until well incorporated.
- Coat chicken with breadcrumb mixture: Sprinkle the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, pressing gently to adhere.
- Air fry the chicken: Place the prepared chicken breasts into the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook at 375°F: Air fry the chicken at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes for doneness. The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and tender chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the chicken with freshly chopped dill and drizzle additional dill pickle ranch dressing on top before serving for extra flavor.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese will give the best texture and flavor.
- Chicken breasts are sliced in half horizontally for even and quicker cooking.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps retain its moisture.
- Adjust seasoning and dressing quantity based on preference.
