Description
This Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on the classic Italian-American dish, using an air fryer for a healthier, hassle-free preparation. Juicy boneless chicken breasts are coated in a seasoned Parmesan and panko crust, air fried to golden perfection, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Serve it alongside pasta for a comforting, delicious meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Breading Mixture
- 1/2 cup plain or seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup plain panko bread crumbs
- 2 1/4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
Chicken & Coating
- 2 large eggs
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 4 to 5 ounces each, pounded to even thickness
Toppings & Serving
- 4 to 8 tablespoons homemade or jarred marinara sauce, plus more for serving
- 1 ounce mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1/4 cup), or to taste
- Pasta, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat your air fryer to 350°F using the air crisp feature to ensure it is at the optimal temperature for cooking the chicken evenly and achieving a crispy crust.
- Prepare the Breading: In a shallow plate, combine the plain bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth and ready for coating.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each pounded chicken breast first into the whisked eggs, making sure it is evenly coated, and allowing any excess egg to drip off. Then press the chicken firmly into the bread crumb mixture so it is fully coated with the seasoned crust.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if needed. If cooking multiple batches, preheat your oven to 200°F to keep cooked chicken warm.
- Cook Until Golden: Air fry the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes or until the coating turns a deep golden brown. Timing may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each chicken breast and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: If cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in the preheated oven while completing the rest. Serve the air-fried chicken parmesan immediately alongside your preferred pasta and extra marinara sauce.
Notes
- For even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to uniform thickness before breading.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, this recipe can be adapted for baking at 400°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes.
- Using seasoned bread crumbs adds extra flavor, but plain bread crumbs work fine combined with the Italian seasoning.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispiness and even cooking.
- Keep cooked batches warm in a 200°F oven to maintain texture while finishing others.
- Leftover chicken parmesan can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: chicken parmesan, air fryer chicken, Italian chicken recipe, air fryer dinner, crispy chicken parmesan, quick chicken recipes
