Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on a classic Italian-American dish using a healthier cooking method. Lightly breaded chicken breasts are air fried to golden perfection, topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for a delicious, quick meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Breading & Coating
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ cup flour
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Toppings
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Pat the pieces dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper evenly to taste.
- Mix Coatings: In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water until combined. In another shallow dish, mix together Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, coat with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere on both sides.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a crispy crust once the chicken is added.
- Air Fry Chicken: Place breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray a generous coat of non-stick cooking spray over the chicken. Cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway (around 5 minutes), and spray the other side to ensure even crisping.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: After initial cooking, spoon marinara sauce over each chicken piece, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top. Close the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until cheese melts and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove carefully and serve hot, ideally with cooked pasta or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place chicken Parmesan in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as it may affect the texture of the breading and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken cutlet with toppings)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
