Description
A quick and crispy air fryer chicken parmesan that rivals restaurant quality. This healthy weeknight dinner is ready in about 15-20 minutes, requiring less oil and cleanup than traditional deep-fried versions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large or 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
- 1 cup (100g) Italian breadcrumbs (mix of Panko and regular)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil)
- 1.5 cups (360g) marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups (170g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pound chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness between plastic wrap or in a bag. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: one with flour mixed with half the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; one with beaten eggs (optional splash of milk); and one with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and remaining Italian seasoning.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg wash, letting excess drip off, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the basket with oil.
- Place chicken breasts in the basket in a single layer without overlapping. Spray tops generously with oil.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and breading is crisp.
- Remove chicken from air fryer. Spoon marinara sauce over each breast and top with shredded mozzarella.
- Return to air fryer for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
Pound chicken evenly for consistent cooking. Do not add sauce before air frying to prevent soggy breading. Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid excess water. For gluten-free, use GF breadcrumbs and flour. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast and dairy-free cheese shreds. Reheat in air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast per
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: air fryer chicken parmesan, healthy dinner, quick weeknight meals, crispy chicken, air fryer recipes, family friendly dinner