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This easy recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, featuring a seasoned, crispy coating and tender, juicy chicken breasts, replicates the classic flavors of fried chicken parmesan, without the excess fat and calories.
Pair this family-favorite chicken with a side of Instant Pot Spaghetti and a Caprese Salad for an easy, delicious, Italian-American feast.
I love taking classically heavy dishes and lightening them up while keeping their classic flavor. From recipes like Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo and Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan to this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, you can enjoy the same flavors you know and love in your favorite Italian-American dishes, while significantly cutting the fat and calories.
This recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan was inspired by my recipe for Baked Chicken Parmesan, which is also a lightened-up version of the classic dish. The chicken is tender, juicy, and features a perfectly seasoned coating and of course is topped with homemade spaghetti sauce and gooey, mozzarella cheese. It is truly one of my all-time favorite ways to prepare chicken.
why you will love this recipe
- No excess grease! Instead of being pan-fried in oil, this recipe uses the air-fryer and just a tiny bit of cooking spray to create the same crispy, golden exterior that Chicken Parmesan is known for.
- Keeps the Heat Out of the Kitchen. While I love Baked Chicken Parmesan, this air-fryer recipe doesn't require heating up the oven or the house, making it perfect to enjoy year-round.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes. Even with breading the chicken, this recipe is on the table from start to finish in under 30 minutes, making it a wholesome 30-minute meal you can enjoy any night of the week.
- Family-Favorite Recipe. From the crispy crust to the juicy chicken to the gooey cheese, everyone loves Air Fyer Chicken Parmesan.
Notes on Ingredients
- Chicken: This recipe works best with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about ½ inch thick. It is critical that you use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are even in size, so they cook evenly. I recommend cutting the chicken breast in half widthwise and then pounding to even thickness or purchasing chicken cutlets.
- Breadcrumbs: For the crispiest, crunchiest breading panko breadcrumbs are best. They can be found right next to traditional breadcrumbs in your grocery store. The results of using panko over classic breadcrumbs are huge, so please don't skip this recommendation.
- Parmesan Cheese: I highly, highly recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of jarred parmesan for the best flavor.
- Spaghetti Sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce, homemade spaghetti sauce, or Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For the cheese, you can opt to use either sliced fresh mozzarella or shredded mozzarella cheese.
How to Air Fry Chicken Parmesan
- Prepare the chicken by slicing the chicken breasts into cutlets. Place one hand flat on top of a chicken breast and holding a knife parallel to the cutting board, slice it horizontally, from the thick end to the thin end, into two even pieces. If your chicken cutlets are not even in thickness, place the pieces of chicken in between two slices of plastic wrap and pound to even thickness.
- Prepare the breading station by setting up 3 shallow dishes. In the first dish, mix the flour with salt and garlic powder. In the second dish, whisk the egg with 2 tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt. In the final dish, combine the panko, parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Dredge the chicken in the four, shaking off the excess, then dip it into the egg mixture. Allow the excess egg to drip off and then finally coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere, and place on a plate.
- Spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray and then place, sprayed side down, into the basket or tray of the air fryer. Be careful to not overlap the chicken, so it cooks and browns evenly. Most models only can cook 2 pieces of chicken at a time, so you may need to work in batches if preparing more than two servings.
- Spray the top of the breaded chicken with the cooking spray and then air-fry for 6 minutes at 370 degrees F.
- Flip the chicken and spray lightly again with cooking spray. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
- Remove the basket or tray from the air fryer and top each piece of chicken with about 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Parmesan is classically served with a side of pasta. I love pairing it with Instant Pot Spaghetti or Pasta Puttanesca for a hearty entree. Of course, you can keep this meal on the lighter side and pair Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with a Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, Roasted Broccoli, or Green Beans Almondine.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftover Air Fried Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, air fry the chicken parmesan for 3 minutes at 360 degrees, or until warmed through. This will help keep the coating nice and crispy.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This recipe is designed for 2 pieces of chicken, but it can easily be doubled or even tripled. Just keep in mind you will need to work in batches, as you don't want to overcrowd the air fryer.
If you need to prepare in batches, place the uncooked breaded chicken in the refrigerator while the first batch is in the air fryer. Once the first batch has been cooked through, place the cooked chicken parmesan on a sheet pan and hold it warm in a 200-degree F oven.
Yes, you can use an all-purpose 1:1 gluten-free flour in place of the all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of panko.
The egg wash really helps the breading adhere to the chicken. However, if you are egg-free, use milk in place of the egg wash.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this healthier Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, or 2 chicken cutlets
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, for flour mixture
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- kosher salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, for breadcrumb mixture
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- ¼ cup prepared tomato sauce
- 2 slices fresh mozzarella cheese, or ¼ cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- If needed per your air fryer model, preheat to 370℉/175℃.
- Place one hand flat on top of 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast and holding a knife parallel to the cutting board, slice it horizontally, from the thick end to the thin end, into two even pieces. If your chicken cutlets are not even in thickness, place the pieces of chicken in between two slices of plastic wrap and pound to even thickness.
- Prepare the breading station by setting up 3 shallow dishes. In the first dish, mix ¼ cup all purpose flour with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. In the second dish, whisk 1 egg with 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt. In the final dish, combine ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon oregano ,and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Dredge the chicken in the four, shaking off the excess, then dip into the egg mixture. Allow the excess egg to drip off and then finally coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere and place on a plate. Spray the top with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken, sprayed side down, in the basket or tray of the air fryer. Spray the chicken again with cooking spray, so that now each side has been coated in cooking spray. Air fry for 6 minutes at 370℉/175℃. Remove the basket/tray from the air fryer and flip the chicken. Return to the air fryer for 4 minutes.
- Remove the basket or tray from the air fryer and top each piece of chicken with about 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165℉/74℃.
- Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you can't have eggs instead of milk try using buttermilk.
Thanks
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.
This is one of the best chicken parmesan recipes that I have tried! It was a huge hit and my family loved them!
I cant believe that you can make this amazing chicken parmesan in the air fryer! The chicken is so tender, juicy and so EASY to make!
Nothing beats an easy chicken dinner. I love hearing you enjoyed Valentina!
Hi, Kristen - I haven't tried the recipe yet but I certainly will! That said, I'm trying to stick to a low carb regime and I found Artisanal Fried Pork Rinds in my local Walmart, which have zero carbs, for any of your readers who are on a similar dietary path. I've used them before, crushing them myself, but these are so much more convenient, less messy and time consuming.
Thank you for sharing that tip! That is super helpful.