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
Robin says
Perfect!
Julie Evink says
Great to hear Robin! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Donnie says
I just made this. Very good.
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear Donnie!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Colleen Kramer says
OMG!!! This was an amazing dinner! Thank you so much for posting it! My brother & dad were so upset they only got one piece each!!
Julie Evink says
That’s awesome Colleen! Thanks for commenting and rating this recipe!
Tony says
Have you ever tried mayo instead of egg wash for the binder before coating in the cheese and bread crumbs? Just curious because I have been seeing more recipes with that as an option but seems like that would add a bit more fat into the chicken?
Julie Evink says
Not for this recipe but I have in others. It doesn’t really change the flavor profile to much.
William says
I cooked with a Cuisinart air fryer with smart chicken breasts “massaged” with a curved meat tenderizer. Unbelievably tender and moist.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed them William! Thanks for coming back to comment and rate the recipe!
Julia says
My chicken didn’t get done in 10 min. at 360’ …? Maybe 15 min. at 370…?
And took me ALOT LONGER than 5 min. To prepare 😊…
Julie Evink says
Hey Julia! It can fluctuate a lot on how thick your chicken breasts are. Mine were super thing because I pounded them out thinly. If yours were thicker it’s going to take a bit longer to cook. Hope that helps!
Liz says
Yeah, I’m with you.. prep took me a lot longer, which seems to be the case with any online recipe I follow! 😅 Since preheating an air fryer takes so little time, I guess you have to have everything 100% ready by the time it’s preheated. Reminds me of how people on cooking shows have a million ramekins of ingredients already measured out ahead of time, instead of me frantically measuring each thing as I go. All-in-all, though, this was a good recipe.. the chicken had a great crispy texture. Next time I’ll be sure to mix some salt into breadcrumbs and parmesan mix. Thought the cheese alone would give it enough, but I found it too bland that way. Regardless, air frying is definitely the way to go – whenever I fry breaded chicken the conventional way, I try to reduce the oil and end up burning it every time! Just need to find a cyber-week sale on 100 ramekins / other prepping containers so I can get up to speed.. 😂 Thanks for the recipe!
Julie Evink says
Eh I think you are putting to much pressure yourself! If it tasted it good that’s what counts! Ramekins are just more dishes 😉
MagicMarkie says
Nignog is an idiot!
Julie Evink says
I like you 🙂
Michael Patterson says
Very delicious recipe, Julie! I made this about a week ago for my family, & it was a hit. I’m making it again tonight for my Mother-in-Law who’s in town. I know she’ll love it! Thanks, & keep the recipes coming!
-Mike
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear!
Kelly Hubbard says
Fantastic recipe!!! Did not change anything in recipe. Tastes wonderful!! This is my new go-to chicken recipe! Thanks!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Kelly!
Nignog says
What was the point of the long novel before you got to the recipe? That’s pretentious and retarded at the same time.
Julie Evink says
Hi Nignog! Which I’m assuming is not your name and you are hiding behind that as you email is also using a fake address. This retarded and pretentious blog owner who provides you FREE content that is not FREE to make has installed a “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of every page so you can jump straight to the recipe if you desire. But maybe it was you that was too stupid to take a second and look for that handy dandy button I provided you with. Hope your life gets better after this!
Darryl says
Haha love this reply!
Thanks for the recipe, it was great!
Julie Evink says
I was trying to be nice, but sometimes, I just can’t 😉 I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Toni Matheny says
Nignog your a big time downer, grow up and learn to be a nice person!! Go away!!!
Julie Evink says
I support this 😉
Li says
Turned out Great! Very easy & quick. My husband said it’s the best I ever made him! Thanks Julie 👍
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
David R Murphy says
This was very good. I’m going step it up with a better quality chicken breast I used the basic from the store and getting some home made marinara from the local Italian market
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it David. That sounds like excellent ways to level it up!
SCOTT says
So, you don’t season the chicken at all? Seems odd to me…
Julie Evink says
No we don’t in this recipe.
Bree says
Tried this today in my air fryer and it was amazing. Super easy, super simple. Didn’t think the crust would come out as crispy as deep-frying bit I was wrong. The cheese and everything crisped up nicely. Short and tasty recepie!
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Bree!
Donna says
Very easy to make!Turned out great!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed them Donna!
Dacey says
I have tried so many air frier chicken recipes. I even have made so many chicken parm recipes in both over and air frier. This was hands down the best. My husband even said this was the best chicken parm he had in a long time. Super simple to make. Highly recommend!! I also made my own sauce since I am trying to eat healthier and I subbed noodles with spaghetti squash. So yummy!!
Julie Evink says
This is great thanks Dacey!