Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Chicken & Pesto Bento
This Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Chicken & Pesto Bento is a complete meal packed with crispy golden chicken, flavorful pesto rice, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for lunch prep, family dinners, or a healthy grab-and-go meal.
15 minutes
15–18 minutes
30–35 minutes
4 bento boxes
Ingredients
For the Parmesan Chicken
2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 egg, beaten
Olive oil spray
For the Pesto Rice
2 cups cooked rice
3 tbsp basil pesto
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Bento Box Fillings
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 tbsp olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper
Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
 Prepare the Chicken
In a shallow bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, panko, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Dip each chicken strip into the beaten egg.
Coat thoroughly in the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture.
Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
Lightly spray the basket with oil.
Arrange chicken strips in a single layer.
Spray the tops lightly with oil.
Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Prepare the Vegetables
Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes until tender-crisp.
Leave tomatoes and cucumber fresh.
Make the Pesto Rice
Place warm cooked rice in a bowl.
Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until evenly coated.
Assemble the Bento Boxes
Divide among 4 containers:
Pesto rice
Crispy Parmesan chicken
Air-fried broccoli
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber slices
Lemon wedge
Optional Pesto Yogurt Drizzle
Mix:
½ cup Greek yogurt
1 tbsp pesto
1 tsp lemon juice
Drizzle over the chicken before serving.
Tips
Use chicken thighs for extra juicy chicken.
Add mozzarella cubes for a cheesy bento upgrade.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat chicken in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition Highlights (Approx. Per Serving)
High protein
Rich in calcium from Parmesan
Balanced with vegetables and whole grains
Great for meal prep
A delicious combination of crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken, herby pesto rice, and fresh vegetables that turns an ordinary lunch into a flavorful bento-style meal.