Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Perfection
Crispy and cheesy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan made quickly and healthily at home. Tender breaded chicken breasts are topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, all cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer for a delicious, family-friendly meal.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free breadcrumbs)
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly pounded to ½ inch thickness
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (dried oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Binders and Toppings
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil spray, for crisping
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts evenly to about ½ inch thickness to ensure uniform cooking and tender bites.
- Set Up Your Breading Station: Whisk the eggs in one bowl. In another bowl, combine the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to create the flavorful breadcrumb coating.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating step once more.
- Preheat and Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the coated chicken breasts in a single layer within the basket and spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray. Air fry for 10 minutes.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Carefully flip the chicken breasts, then spoon marinara sauce generously over each piece. Top with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Continue air frying for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the chicken from the air fryer carefully. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Pound chicken evenly to prevent uneven cooking and ensure tenderness.
- Use olive oil spray to achieve a crispy, golden crust without deep frying.
- Shred fresh mozzarella for better melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Cook chicken in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure even crisping.
- Allow chicken to rest a few minutes after cooking to seal in juices and make slicing easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Parmesan, Air Fryer recipes, quick dinner, Italian comfort food, crispy chicken