Can I make this without an air fryer?

Absolutely! Bake the breaded chicken in a 425°F oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, then top with sauce and cheese and bake until melted. You can also pan-fry the chicken before finishing in the oven.

Why is my breading falling off?

Make sure you're following the proper sequence: flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Also, pressing the breadcrumbs gently onto the chicken and letting the breaded chicken rest for 5 minutes before cooking helps the coating adhere better.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and often stay juicier. Pound them to even thickness and you may need to adjust cooking time slightly - check for that 165°F internal temperature.

How can I keep the chicken crispy when serving with sauce?

For maximum crispiness, add the sauce and cheese just before serving. Alternatively, serve the sauce on the side for dipping, or only cover half the chicken with sauce to maintain some crunch.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1⅛ teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 1½ cups Panko breadcrumbs; ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade); ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 2 large eggs; 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds); ¼ cup olive oil; 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade) + more for serving; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Description

This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a healthier twist on the classic Italian dish. Perfectly breaded and crispy chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese come together in just 30 minutes. A delicious and quick meal that’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Breading Station

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/8 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large eggs

For the Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup olive oil

For the Topping

1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade) + more for serving
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Set Up the Breading Station
Prepare 3 shallow dishes for the breading process. In the first dish, combine the all-purpose flour and ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt. In the second dish, mix the Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and the remaining kosher salt. Crack the eggs into the third dish and beat them with a fork.
Prepare the Chicken
If the chicken breasts are thick, slice them in half horizontally or pound them to create thinner, even pieces. This ensures even cooking. Lightly season the chicken breasts with a sprinkle of salt.
Bread the Chicken
Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it completely with the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure the chicken is fully covered in breadcrumbs.
Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at 370°F for even cooking. Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Drizzle olive oil over each piece. If necessary, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 7 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes.
Add the Marinara and Cheese
Once the chicken is fully cooked, top each piece with an equal amount of marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
Serve the chicken parmesan over your favorite pasta with extra marinara sauce and cheese on the side, if desired.

Notes

For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour and breadcrumbs.
Regular or Italian-style breadcrumbs can replace Panko for a different texture.
Substitute Parmesan with similar cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or Asiago.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts.
Any neutral oil, such as avocado or vegetable oil, can replace olive oil.
If mozzarella isn’t available, you can use provolone, Swiss, or cheddar cheese.
Pat chicken dry before dredging to help the breading stick better.
Preheating the air fryer ensures even and efficient cooking.
Avoid crowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches to achieve crispy results.
Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
For leftovers, store chicken, sauce, and cheese separately to prevent soggy breading.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 430
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 37g
Cholesterol: 130mg