Easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

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This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a delicious and healthier take on the classic Italian dish. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a crispy, golden breadcrumb crust and topped with a tangy marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. The air fryer gives the chicken a crispy exterior without the need for heavy breading or deep frying. The result is a mouthwatering, flavor-packed dish that's easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This recipe makes 4 servings. You can serve the Chicken Parmesan with a side salad and pasta for a complete meal.

This recipe calls for some kitchen and pantry staples, which makes it an easy choice for a quick week day dinner.

A mis-en-place of the ingredients needed for this recipe.

First you mix together the breadcrumb mixture. Then the chicken breasts are coated with egg and dredged through the breadcrumbs.

A shallow bowl filled with spiced breadcrumbs. Egg and chicken are in the corners.

A slice of raw chicken coated in an egg mixture.

The Easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan yields 4 chicken breasts, so if your air fryer can only comfortably fit two chicken breasts, you can make this recipe in two batches.

Two pieces of raw, breaded chicken in an air fryer basket.

Two pieces of cooked, breaded chicken in an air fryer basket.

Using an air fryer not only speeds up the cooking process, but also requires minimal clean up compared to other chicken parmesan methods.

This recipe pairs well with a fresh green side salad and a sprinkle of fresh parsley as garnish.

A white plate holds one piece of chicken parmesan and a green side salad. Two more plate are in the background.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan FAQS:

What will I need to complete this recipe?

You will need the following ingredients: chicken breast, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, eggs, marinara sauce, parsley
You will need the following supplies: air fryer, mixing bowls

What are the storage instructions?

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Should I eat these warm or cold?

This Chicken Parmesan is best served hot, right out of the air fryer while the cheese is melted and bubbly.

What can I use as a garnish?

The recipe calls for garnishing with parsley, but you can feel free to garnish with some extra Parmesan cheese to get more of the Parmesan flavor. You can’t go wrong with more cheese! You can also subsitute the parsley for basil if you prefer.

Do I need to tenderize the chicken?

We recommend tenderizing the chicken to even out the thickness before coating it in the crust. It ensures the chicken is baked evenly throughout the whole breast and not dry on one side.

Do I need to use Italian breadcrumbs?

Notes:

The cooking time will vary depending on how thick the chicken is. For thinner cuts, less time may be needed. Always check the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees before eating.

We recommend tenderizing the chicken to even out the thickness before coating it in the crust. It ensures the chicken is baked evenly throughout the whole breast and not dry on one side.

We like to serve the chicken with some extra marinara sauce plated first, then the chicken. A little extra sauce makes for a more delicious bite.

Feel free to garnish with some extra Parmesan cheese to get more of the Parmesan flavor. You can’t go wrong with more cheese!

You can garnish with basil instead of parsley.

We like to serve this dish with a fresh green side salad to get some extra veggies on our plates. Spaghetti pasta is also a popular choice to serve with the chicken. Don’t forget some extra marina!

Using Panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian breadcrumbs would be a nice substitution for a little extra crunch.

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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: air fryer, chicken, parmesan

Servings: 4 chicken breasts

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup marinara sauce
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Cooking spray

Instructions

Tenderize the chicken breasts so that they are even in thickness.
In a shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper.
In another shallow bowl, place the beaten egg mixture.
Dip each chicken breast into the eggs getting even coverage. Then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without crowding them and spray the tops with cooking spray.
Air fry the chicken for 11-13 minutes, until it is cooked through and crispy.
Spoon marinara sauce over each chicken breast, then top with the mozzarella cheese slices.
Air fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Repeat the above steps for the remaining chicken breasts.
Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

The cooking time will vary depending on how thick the chicken is. For thinner cuts, less time may be needed. Always check the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees before eating.

We recommend tenderizing the chicken to even out the thickness before coating in the crust. It ensures the chicken is baked evenly throughout the whole breast and not dry on one side.

We recommend serving the chicken with some extra marinara sauce plated first, then the chicken on top. A little extra sauce makes for a more delicious bite.

Feel free to garnish with some extra Parmesan cheese to get more of the Parmesan flavor. You can’t go wrong with more cheese!