Chicken Parmesan (Air Fryer)

If you’re anything like me, you probably like to indulge in fried food every now and then, but may not enjoy deep frying at home. The thought of having to deep fry anything in a pot of oil, in the words of Marie Kondo, sparks no joy. Alas, modern technology has helped to lower this barrier! Enter the air fryer! Not only does it whip up crispy, flavorful meals in a fraction of the time, but it also makes clean-up a breeze. One of my favorite dishes to prepare in this magical appliance is Chicken Parmesan. With its juicy chicken, melty cheese, and rich marinara, it’s a comfort food classic that’s surprisingly easy to make. Join me as I share why this recipe has become a go-to for busy weeknights!

Ways to Customize A Classic

Chicken Parmesan is a wonderfully versatile dish that can be customized to suit your tastes and pantry staples. Once you have the chicken nice and thin with the meat tenderizer, the world is your oyster. For instance, the breading is one of the most blatant areas of change throughout recipes. Here, you will find that we use Panko breadcrumbs. We use these as I prefer the light and airy texture as opposed to traditional breadcrumbs. It also allows for you to have more control over the seasoning! For instance, I love adding in piri-piri to give this dish a subtle kick. However, if you want ultimate ease, you can simply swap out the Panko and seasonings for preseason Italian breadcrumbs!

The choice of pasta also opens up a world of possibilities. You can use classic spaghetti, rigatoni to sop up extra sauce, or even zucchini noodles for a lighter option. And don’t forget the sauce! While marinara is the classic choice, you can spice things up with a homemade pesto, a rich Alfredo, or even a tangy buffalo sauce for a unique twist. Don’t be afraid to use what you have on hand, as you likely already have all of the ingredients tailored towards your own taste buds! The combinations are endless, allowing you to make this beloved dish your own!

How to Make Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer

Chicken Parmesan (Air Fryer)

Course: DinnerCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

One of my favorite dishes to prepare in the air fryer is Chicken Parmesan. With its juicy chicken, melty cheese, and rich marinara, it’s a comfort food classic that’s surprisingly easy to make. Join me as I share why this recipe has become a go-to for busy weeknights!

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)

• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs

• 1/2 Tbsp dried basil

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tsp parsley flakes

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp piri-piri (or cayenne)

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup marinara sauce

• 8 oz mozzarella cheese (sliced)

Directions

• Preheat Air Fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
• Rinse the chicken breasts, pat dry, and cut in half, lengthwise.
• Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breasts into thin, yet even, pieces.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the Panko breadcrumbs, basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, piri-piri (or cayenne if desired), and the freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
• One at a time, dip the chicken into the eggs, let any excess drip off, then toss in the Panko mixture until fully coated.
• Place the breaded chicken breasts into the air fryer in a single layer (may need to do this in batches), and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken over, and spoon some marinara sauce over top, and place a slice or two of the mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. Continue air frying for 3-4 minutes further, until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Serve over some pasta and enjoy!