Keto Cheesy Chicken in the Air Fryer Recipe
This Keto Cheesy Chicken in the Air Fryer is a quick and flavorful low-carb meal featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy blend of cream cheese, cheddar, mayonnaise, and broccoli. Perfectly air fried to golden brown perfection, it’s a delightful keto-friendly dish that’s easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (over 8 oz each)
Cheese Mixture
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup raw broccoli, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, crushed garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, creating a creamy and flavorful cheese mixture.
- Chop and Add Broccoli: Finely chop the raw broccoli into very small pieces, then fold it into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed for added texture and nutrition.
- Score Chicken and Add Mixture: Place the raw chicken breasts on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, make shallow crosshatch or diamond-pattern cuts on the top surface of each breast, careful not to cut all the way through. Evenly spread the cheese and broccoli mixture over the chicken, making sure some of it seeps into the cut crevices to infuse flavor.
- Preheat and Prepare Air Fryer: Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Gently place the prepared chicken breasts inside the basket, ensuring they are laid flat and not overlapping.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Set the air fryer temperature to 370°F (188°C) and cook the chicken for 15 minutes. Check that the cheese topping has turned golden brown and that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This helps retain juices and ensures the chicken remains tender. Serve warm.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Notes
- Make sure not to slice all the way through the chicken breasts when scoring to keep the mixture from falling out during cooking.
- Using finely chopped broccoli helps it blend well with the cheese mixture and cooks quickly in the air fryer.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with other keto-friendly cheeses like mozzarella or Monterey Jack if preferred.
- Ensure internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee it is safely cooked.
- Nonstick spray helps prevent the cheesy topping from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- This recipe makes about 4 servings, ideal for meal prepping or family dinner.
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