Name: Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken with Crispy Edges – Air Fryer Easy Recipes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken is one of those recipes that I keep coming back to. It’s the kind of dinner that feels fancy, but takes less effort than finding matching socks. We’re talking juicy, golden chicken with a crisp edge, kissed by garlic and a snowstorm of parmesan. If you’ve got an air fryer, this one’s a total win. Whether it’s Tuesday and you’re starving after work, or it’s Saturday and you’re pretending to meal prep, this recipe’s got your back. I love that you don’t need anything weird—just some pantry staples, chicken, and the will to eat well. It’s quick, it’s flavorful, and it smells so good that my dog waits by the kitchen every single time. This dish checks all the boxes: weeknight-friendly, meal-prep ready, and picky-eater approved. So if you’re into air fryer easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, easy recipes for dinner, or even just want an excuse to sprinkle more cheese in your life—this one’s yours.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken
4) How to Make Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken
5) Tips for Making Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken
6) Making Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken
8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!
9) Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Learn how to make juicy, flavorful chicken with just a few pantry staples
Discover how to use the air fryer for fast, crispy garlic parmesan chicken
Perfect for meal prep or busy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup
Tips to store and reheat leftovers without drying them out

2) Easy Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken Recipe

Whenever I make this Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken, the smell alone brings people into the kitchen like clockwork. It’s got everything I love in a weeknight dinner: flavor, speed, and zero drama. I toss a few ingredients together, let the air fryer work its magic, and within minutes I’m carving into juicy chicken that’s coated in garlic and crisped-up parmesan. It’s easy, reliable, and tastes like I tried a lot harder than I did.

This is the kind of recipe that doesn’t fight you back. No flouring, no breading, no complicated steps. Just honest ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and parmesan doing what they do best. The air fryer makes the edges golden, while the inside stays perfectly moist. When I say it’s part of my quick and easy recipes rotation, I mean it gets requested weekly—by adults and kids alike.

Whether you’re chasing a healthier meal or just craving that cheesy-garlic bite, this air fryer easy recipes winner will earn a permanent spot on your table. It’s the perfect way to make dinner feel like less of a chore and more of a small, savory celebration. I always serve it with a big salad or something starchy. Or let’s be honest, sometimes both.

3) Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken

Chicken Breasts: I go for boneless, skinless ones because they cook faster and soak up that garlicky flavor like pros. If they’re thick, I slice them lengthwise for even cooking.

Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons are all you need to give the seasoning something to cling to and help with browning in the air fryer.

Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic brings the real punch here. The more aromatic, the better. You’ll smell it before the timer dings.

Parmesan Cheese: I use grated for maximum coverage. It crisps up beautifully in the air fryer and gives that golden crust everyone fights over.

Italian Seasoning: A mix of dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil. Adds depth and a nice earthy balance to the garlic and cheese.

Salt and Black Pepper: No need to overthink it. Just enough to bring out the best in the rest of the ingredients.

Parsley (Optional): For garnish and that pop of green. It makes the plate look finished, even if dinner came together in 20 minutes.

4) How to Make Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken

Step 1. Preheat your air fryer or grill to 375°F. This gets things going fast and helps that parmesan melt into a crisp topping.

Step 2. While the air fryer heats, pat your chicken dry. It’s a little boring, but it makes a huge difference. No one wants steamed chicken when they’re promised grilled.

Step 3. Mix olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Then brush or spoon it generously over the chicken. Get both sides good and coated.

Step 4. Sprinkle on the parmesan like you mean it. A heavy hand here is a good thing. It’s going to crisp, not clump.

Step 5. Place the chicken in the basket or on the grill, spaced out enough so they can cook evenly. No need to flip in the air fryer unless you really want those extra crispy edges.

Step 6. Cook for 16 to 18 minutes. Check for 165°F inside. If they’re golden and smell amazing, you’re probably there.

Step 7. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting. If you skip this, the juices run out and nobody wins.

5) Tips for Making Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken

Let me start with the seasoning. Don’t just sprinkle it on and hope for the best. Use oil as glue. Massage the flavors into the chicken. The extra effort is worth it.

If you’re using the air fryer, don’t crowd the basket. You want space between the chicken pieces so they cook evenly and get that golden crust. I learned the hard way that stacking equals steaming.

For grill folks, use medium heat and close the lid. The parmesan will get melty and crispy without burning. And if you’re thinking about tossing the chicken in foil—don’t. You want the heat to hit directly for that grilled flavor.

6) Making Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken Ahead of Time

I prep this dish ahead all the time. The chicken can sit in the marinade for a few hours in the fridge. In fact, that makes it even better. The flavors settle in deeper, and the garlic softens just enough to mellow out.

If I know the evening’s going to be chaos, I’ll cook it early and let it cool. Then I reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for about five minutes. Still crispy. Still juicy.

This is one of those quick and easy recipes that actually holds up after a day or two. If anything, it might even be better the next day on a salad or inside a sandwich with melty provolone.

7) Storing Leftover Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken

Leftovers store well in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days. I use glass because it keeps the flavor cleaner and doesn’t stain.

Reheating? I use the air fryer again—350°F for five to six minutes. Microwave works in a pinch, but you lose the crisp.

If I’m packing lunch, I’ll slice the chicken cold over greens with vinaigrette or slide it into a wrap. It’s a solid lunch that makes you forget it was last night’s dinner.

8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!

9) Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken