Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
258 Comments
Posted: 05/27/19
Updated: 09/04/21
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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!
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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe!
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!
Without all of the oil, this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is so much healthier, but you’d never guess because it tastes just like the original. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make! You only need a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes to get this chicken dinner on the table. My family loves it!
A Healthier Air Fryer Dinner Recipe!
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.
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!
- I like to use two 8-ounce chicken breasts for this recipe. I slice them in half to make four servings.
- I recommend using shredded Parmesan cheese instead of grated because the shredded cheese turns crispy as it cooks and will give your crust a better texture.
- Use Italian-style breadcrumbs, which are already seasoned, instead of plain breadcrumbs.
- Whisked eggs
- Don’t worry about making your own marinara sauce! Using a store-bought sauce makes this recipe really easy.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
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 F. 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 another bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Dip the chicken in the eggs and then dredge it in the breadcrumbs 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. 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 the marinara and mozzarella cheese. Cook the chicken for another three to four minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F.
- If you’re cooking the chicken in batches, repeat the process with the rest of the chicken.
Serve these recipes with Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan!
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, pasta, or zoodles or serve it with some of our other favorite side dishes:
More Air Fryer Recipes!
- Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Air Fryer Roast Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS AIR FRYER CHICKEN PARMESAN RECIPE BELOW:
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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipe! This Chicken Parmesan Air Fryer recipe is healthier than the original and just as good!
Ingredients
- 2 - 8 oz chicken breasts
- ¼ c. shredded Parmesan not grated Parmesan
- 1 c. Italian style bread crumbs
- 2 eggs whisked
- ½ c. marinara sauce
- ½ c. mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Set temperature on Air Fryer to 360 degrees F. 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 F.
- Set aside and keep warm, repeat with remaining 2 pieces
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 541kcal (27%), Carbohydrates: 43g (14%), Protein: 47g (94%), Fat: 18g (28%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Cholesterol: 188mg (63%), Sodium: 1530mg (67%), Potassium: 720mg (21%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 710IU (14%), Vitamin C: 5mg (6%), Calcium: 454mg (45%), Iron: 4.3mg (24%)
Robin says
I have an oven with an air fryer feature, would the cooking times and/temperature be different since it will be cooking in a bigger area than an original air fryer device?
Courtney says
That oven sounds awesome! That might be something you have to try out as I do not know how the air fryer ovens compare to an actual air fryer. Your chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Marc says
Great and easy To make.Perfect Saturday night meal
Courtney says
Thank you! Glad to hear you loved it!
jerry says
My wife and I both loved this meal! Moist, tender and tasty chicken. We’ve used an air fryer for many meals, this was the best.
Courtney says
Also a favorite of mine! So glad you loved it! Thanks for rating this recipe.
Ed says
I’ve only had an air fryer for two weeks and haven’t done anything more complicated than frozen fries. Tried this recipe and it turned out perfect. Being in New Mexico I added some diced green Chile to the sauce / cheese during the final heating. Highly recommend it!
Courtney says
Yum! So glad it turned out great for you. You’ll love your air fryer. Thanks for the rating and great comment!
Leeanne says
I made this for dinner tonight and it came out perfect. I cooked it 6 minutes on one side and three minutes when I flipped it over. The only thing I did different was to spray to the breaded chicken with a thin coat of olive oil before putting it in the air fryer. The breading was crispy. My husband loved it. I will make this again.
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear Leeanne! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Barb says
Perfect parm and cooking time was spot on!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Barb! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Nikki says
This does in fact cook in 10 minutes (my air fryer only takes 9 minutes, so even faster!) so i am not sure why all of the negative comments! I have made this twice and loved it both times.
Julie Evink says
I’m so glad you are having great results! I think the key is the thickness of the chicken breast 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting and rating this recipe!
James says
Chicken doesn’t cook in 10 minutes. Don’t use this recipe unless you want squishy chicken with possible salmonella
Julie Evink says
Hi James! Did you make sure your chicken breasts were pounded thinly like the directions state? The key to having them cook in 10 minutes is to make them thin.
kimi says
What a great recipe! Do you have any recommendation about breadcrumbs, I followed the recipe but found it’s not crispy as expected
Julie Evink says
If you over crowd the air fryer and the air can’t circulate around the chicken it won’t be as crispy.
Keith says
I skip the cutting and pounding and use Chicken Cutlets instead. Seems to cook quicker and more evenly. I added some garlic and onion powder too. So easy.
Julie Evink says
Great idea Keith!
Peggy says
have you reheated leftovers of the chicken parmesan in the air fryer?
Julie Evink says
I haven’t done it yet. I would say the cheese might get overdone when you reheated so maybe leave that off if you know you will have leftovers.
Amy says
What are the calories per serving? And is a serving 1 piece of chicken?
Julie Evink says
Half a piece of chicken about 4 ounces. Estimated nutritional information is found at the bottom of the recipe card.
Sal says
Chicken doesn’t cook in 10 minutes. Ridiculous time expectations. We had to adjust and ended up burning the toppings. Try again.
Julie Evink says
Did you pound it thin like the instructions tell you too? The cook time is going to depend on how thing your chicken is.
Harriet says
I agree. 10 minutes dis nor cook chicken. I slice and pounded breasts
regina goff says
love this !!! my fav
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Regina!
Bob says
Butt juice
Julie Evink says
Do you have a specific reason why this is “butt juice”?
Lisa Gardner says
Can confirm, this is not butt juice