High-Protein Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chicken

Are you on the hunt for a healthy, delicious, and incredibly easy way to cook chicken? Look no further! This High-Protein Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chicken recipe is about to become your new go-to. We’re taking the viral cottage cheese trend and combining it with the magic of the air fryer to create chicken that’s unbelievably juicy on the inside and boasts a ridiculously crispy, golden-brown crust. Forget dry, boring chicken – this recipe delivers on flavor and protein, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying post-workout meal.

Why This Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chicken Recipe Works

You might be thinking, “Cottage cheese on chicken?” Trust us on this one! The blended cottage cheese acts as a fantastic binder, creating a moist environment while the chicken cooks. Combined with the crispy panko breadcrumb and Parmesan coating, the result is a textural masterpiece. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

• High in Protein: Packed with protein from the chicken and cottage cheese, this dish will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
• Incredibly Juicy Chicken: The cottage cheese helps to lock in moisture, preventing the chicken from drying out in the air fryer.
• Super Crispy Coating: The combination of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese creates an irresistible crunch.
• Easy and Quick: With minimal prep and a short cooking time in the air fryer, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
• Healthy(ish): Using the air fryer means less oil compared to traditional frying methods.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to whip up this delicious air fryer cottage cheese chicken:

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into tenders or 1.5 cm thick fillets
• 250g full-fat cottage cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 100g panko breadcrumbs
• 50g finely grated Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil or avocado oil spray

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chicken

Want to take your air fryer chicken to the next level? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cooking in batches ensures even cooking and maximum crispiness. Overlapping chicken will result in steaming rather than frying.
• Pat the Chicken Dry: We can’t stress this enough! Excess moisture prevents the coating from sticking and becoming truly crispy.
• Use Full-Fat Cottage Cheese: Full-fat cottage cheese provides the best flavor and creamy texture for the coating.
• Don’t Skip the Preheat: A preheated air fryer helps the chicken cook evenly and the coating crisp up quickly.
• Adjust Cooking Time as Needed: Air fryers can vary. Keep an eye on your chicken and adjust the cooking time if necessary to ensure it’s cooked through and golden brown.
• Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to add other spices to the cottage cheese mixture or the breadcrumb coating, such as Italian seasoning, chili powder, or dried herbs.

Enjoy Your Crispy & Juicy Chicken!

We hope you love this High-Protein Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chicken recipe as much as we do! It’s a game-changer for anyone looking for a healthy, easy, and delicious way to enjoy chicken. Try paring it with some crispy edge focaccia! If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Happy cooking!

High-Protein Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chicken

5 from 1 vote

A viral hack that truly works! Blended cottage cheese creates a secret high-protein coating for the juiciest air-fried chicken you'll ever make, all sealed in an unbelievably crispy, golden-brown crust.

Cooking Method: Air Fryer Categories: Chicken, High Protein, Quick Meals Recipe Tags: High Protein

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 25 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 3 Calories: 545

Ingredients

Servings

• 500 g Boneless Chicken Breast (Cut into strips)
• 250 g Full-fat Cottage Cheese
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• ¹⁄₂ tsp Black Pepper
• 100 g Panko Breadcrumbs
• 50 g Parmesan cheese (Finely grated)
• Spray Olive Oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

   Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with a paper towel. This helps the coating stick.

2. Make the Wet Coating

   In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until perfectly smooth and creamy. Pour this mixture into a shallow bowl or dish.

3. Make the Dry Coating

   In a separate shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix them together thoroughly.

4. Preheat

   Preheat your air fryer to $200°C$ ($400°F$).

5. Coat the Chicken

   Working one piece at a time, dip a chicken tender into the smooth cottage cheese mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Let any excess drip off.

6. Dredge the Chicken

   Immediately transfer the coated chicken to the panko-parmesan mixture. Press the crumbs firmly onto all sides of the chicken to create a thick, even crust.

7. Prepare to Air Fry

   Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket; cook in two batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with oil.

8. Cook

   Air fry for $12-15$ minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. The chicken is done when the crust is deep golden-brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches $74°C$ on a meat thermometer.

9. Serve

   Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with lemon wedges, your favourite dipping sauce, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 3

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 545kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 15g24%

Sodium 890mg38%

Total Carbohydrate 25g9%

Sugars 4g

Protein 75g150%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: air fryer cottage cheese chicken, high protein chicken recipe, healthy air fryer recipe, viral cottage cheese recipe, easy weeknight dinner