Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
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Looking for a healthier way to make Chicken Parmesan? We have it! This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe is everything you love about the original but healthier. The chicken is nice and juicy and the Parmesan coating is crispy. This is an easy dinner in your Air Fryer and the whole family is going to love it. We like to pair it with steamed vegetables, zoodles or pasta!
My family loves Chicken Parmesan but until I got our air fryer, I never made it because frying the breaded chicken in oil is such a hassle and not the healthiest of dinners.
I’ve made Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Parmesan Burgers and Parmesan Crusted Chicken, but sometimes we want a classic chicken Parmesan with a super crispy crust like you get in a restaurant. You know, the totally delicious but really unhealthy kind? We love it, but it’s a pain to make and is fried in a lot of oil so until now it hasn’t been a go-to dinner at our house.
That’s all changed now that we have an air fryer! Now we can make juicy chicken with a crispy parmesan crust that tastes just like traditional Chicken Parmesan but without all the oil and mess. I hate splattering oil on the stovetop!
You only need a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes to get this chicken dinner on the table. My family loves it!
My kids love Chicken Parmesan but frying the chicken in a pan is just not the healthiest thing to do for everyday dinners. I love that you can make a healthier Chicken Parmesan in the air fryer and my family can’t tell the difference!
The chicken is coated in a crispy Parmesan coating just like you fried it, but without all of the oil. Topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, it looks just like regular Chicken Parmesan but it’s so much healthier.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- It will quickly become one of your favorite air fryer recipes because it’s so easy to make making it a great recipe for an easy dinner!
- Golden brown breading on the outside with crispy juicy chicken on the inside.
- Without all of the oil, this delicious Chicken Parmesan made in the air fryer is so much healthier, but you’d never guess because it tastes just like the original.
What is an Air Fryer?
Do you know what an air fryer is? It’s an appliance that works like a convection oven. The air fryer has a fan which circulates hot air around the food giving it a crispy exterior.
It’s a great alternative to frying because you don’t need all the oil and you can make your favorite fried dishes, like this Chicken Parmesan, without all the guilt.
Plus, it cooks food faster than the oven and, I don’t know about you, but less time cooking is always a good thing in my book!
Is Air Fryer Food Healthy?
Deep-fried foods are generally higher in fat than foods that are prepared with other cooking methods. The benefit of Air Fryers is they require a significantly less amount of oil than deep frying.
This is why the Air Fryer is touted as being a “healthier” alternative to deep frying. Using an Air Fryer over deep-frying food can significantly cut down on the overall fat content of your food due to the reduction in oil used.
What can you cook in an Air Fryer?
You can cook almost anything in an Air Fryer!
- Steaks
- Donuts
- French Fries
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Chicken Breasts
- Pork Tenderloin
- Sweet Potatoes
The options are endless!
Ingredients Needed to Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Not only is this air fryer chicken parmesan a healthier take on the original, but it’s also so easy to make. You only need six ingredients!
- Chicken Breasts – You could also use chicken cutlets and skip cutting the boneless skinless chicken breasts in half.
- Parmesan cheese – Use shredded Parmesan cheese instead of grated because the shredded cheese turns crispy as it cooks and will give your crust a better texture.
- Breadcrumbs – Use Italian-style breadcrumbs, which are already seasoned, instead of plain breadcrumbs. You could also use Italian Panko Breadcrumbs. If you just have regular bread crumbs add 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning to the breadcrumbs.
- Eggs – The binder to hold your breadcrumb mixture on your chicken breasts.
- Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite store-bought sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese – Grab a block and shred it yourself for best results.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
This recipe is so easy you only need five minutes to prep the chicken and 10 minutes to cook it!
- Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It will need about three minutes to preheat.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
- Pound the chicken into thin slices that are of the same thickness. This will ensure they cook evenly.
- Combine the breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese together in a medium sized bowl. In second bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Dip the chicken in the eggs that are in a shallow dish and then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture so that it’s evenly coated. Repeat with the rest of the chicken.
- Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
- Cook the chicken for six minutes and then flip the pieces over and top them with 2 Tablespoons of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cook the chicken for another three to four minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken breast.
- If you’re cooking the chicken in batches, repeat the process with the rest of the chicken.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Parmesan
Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up two 2 days.
How to Reheat Leftovers
The easiest way is to reheat any leftovers in the air fryer basket at 350 degrees until heated through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also use the microwave to warm leftovers but the breading will not be as crispy. A better option is to use the oven and reheat leftovers at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serving Suggestions
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is so quick and easy you have plenty of time to make a side dish to go with it! We love it with simple steamed vegetables, a green salad, pasta, or zoodles or serve it with some of our other favorite side dishes:
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts 8 ounces each
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan not grated Parmesan
- 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
- 2 eggs whisked
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Set temperature on Air Fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheat 3 minutes.
- Cut chicken breasts in half, lengthwise and trim.
- Pound the chicken breasts into thinner pieces that are the same thickness.
- In a medium bowl mix together the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
- In another bowl whisk the eggs together.
- Dip each piece of chicken in egg and then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
- Place chicken breasts in single layer inside of air fryer basket. If you are using a smaller air fryer you will need to cook in batches.
- Add chicken breasts to preheated Air Fryer and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts over and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Air fry for an addition 3-4 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degree Fahrenheit.
- Set aside and keep warm, repeat with remaining 2 pieces
Lexi B says
It was really good! Instead of bread crumbs I used panko Italian style. I would recommend
Julie says
That does sound good! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Lexi says
So good!! Crispy and delicious. I did add about 2 tsp of salt & pepper, and about a tbs of garlic powder to the crumb mixture. I love garlic. Italian breadcrumbs are on the plain side imo without any added seasoning, and it ended up being PERFECT! Like a couple other people said, they also needed a few extra minutes cooking. But air fryers differ. Definitely will make this again! Thank you!
Julie says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it!
Sonja says
Super easy, quick and delicious meal.
Julie says
I’m glad you loved it!
Andrea Chipman says
Great recipe!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Julie says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it!
Kathie says
This was fabulous! Thanks for sharing. Can I Freeze the chicken cutlets after coating them ? Thinking it would be a faster process.
Julie says
I haven’t tried freezing these, if you do try it let me know how it goes!
Heather says
Yummy! First recipe made in my new fryer. Thanks so much!
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
dale h wheeler says
We tried this today, only changes were 1 minute longer cooking on the 1st side & fresh mozzarella cheese. This will be a go to recipe. The 1st words out of my mouth were oh wow,it was that good.
Julie says
I’m glad to hear it! Thanks for the rating and review!
Meg says
What type/brand sauce do you recommend?
Julie says
That all depends on preference! Just go with whatever spaghetti/marinara sauce you like best!
Estelle says
Parmesaan Airfryer chicken
Jen says
This recipe sounds great! I only have panko breadcrumbs. Will those work? Thanks!
Julie says
Yes!
Stacie says
Any recommendations on a preferred air fryer? Thank you!
Julie Evink says
I have the Philips Avance XL Digital Airfryer and love it! I haven’t used a different one though!
Howie Pearlman says
Haven’t made this yet, but I’m excited to try it. In general, I just started with my air Fryer on Wed. of last week. This has me excited to cook again! The Air Fryer that is.
Julie Evink says
It’s a fun tool to use and I love experimenting with it! I hope you enjoy these!
Justine says
Delicious! I love using my air fryer for recipes like this one.
Julie Evink says
Such a great tool in the kitchen for recipes like this!
Ashley says
This recipe gives me another great excuse to use my air fryer! I will be adding this to my regular dinner rotation.
Julie Evink says
Hope you enjoy it!
Danielle Green says
Wow! This looks really amazing! I know my whole family would find it delicious!
Julie Evink says
Such a delicious dinner option!