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This is the best Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan ever! It’s everything you love about the classic Italian dish, made simpler, lighter, and faster.
This easy air fryer chicken parmesan has all the cozy, comforting flavors of the original with juicy breaded chicken, warm marinara, and perfectly melted mozzarella, all with a crispy exterior and no deep frying! We even skip the traditional egg, flour, and milk dredging to keep things quick and light, without sacrificing flavor.
Both Ella and I agree this is hands down our favorite air fryer recipe yet! It’s high in protein, packed with Italian flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something homemade and satisfying. This chicken parm recipe is a must-try.
If you love chicken parmesan as much as we do, try our healthy baked chicken parmesan, juicy chicken parmesan burgers, flavorful chicken parmesan meatballs, and effortless slow cooker chicken parmesan next!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Easy: This recipe is incredibly easy to make. There’s no egg, milk, or flour needed! It comes together with simple ingredients for a delicious dish.
- Flavorful: This air fryer chicken parmesan is juicy, crispy, and packed with Italian flavor!
- Healthy: This recipe is lightened up! There’s no deep frying, and only a small amount of oil is needed to coat the chicken cutlets in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Crispy: Cooking this chicken parmesan in the air fryer makes it extra crispy on the outside, all without being fried! If you love this recipe, make sure to try our air fryer eggplant parmesan next!
“These are so good and easy to make. And cutting each chicken breast in half gives us the perfect amount of chicken that we can eat.”
– carol
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken: Use two boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Pound them into an even thickness or simply slice them in half lengthwise.
- Breadcrumbs: For that crispy, golden coating, the chicken cutlets are dredged in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Parmesan: Add grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for added flavor.
- Seasonings: Season the breadcrumb mixture with garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season both sides of the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
- Olive Oil: Lightly coat the chicken with olive oil or spray with olive oil spray to help the breadcrumbs stick. There’s no need for eggs, milk, or flour!
- Marinara: Spoon marinara sauce over the cooked chicken for that classic chicken parmesan touch.
- Mozzarella: Sprinkle with light shredded mozzarella for that melty, cheesy perfection.
- Basil: Garnish with fresh basil leaves or fresh chopped basil.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- The Best Breadcrumbs: Use panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunch and flavor. Or, use plain breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free option, substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes! You can use Italian breadcrumbs, but reduce the added seasonings by half.
- Olive Oil Substitution: If preferred, you can use an egg wash instead of olive oil spray. Simply dip each chicken cutlet into a shallow bowl with one beaten egg before coating it in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Marinara Sauce to Use: You can use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce for this recipe, or try one of our homemade versions! Our healthy homemade marinara sauce, roasted tomato sauce, or slow cooker tomato sauce all work perfectly for this recipe!
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Step 1: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create cutlets.
Step 2: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 3: In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Coat the chicken with olive oil in a bowl or lightly spray the chicken with olive oil on both sides.
Step 5: Press each coated chicken cutlet into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides well.
Step 6: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the coated chicken breast cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 6-7 minutes, flip, then cook for another 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 7: Spoon marinara sauce over each piece and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Then, air fry for another 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
Step 8: Garnish with fresh basil, serve warm, and enjoy!
How Long To Cook Chicken Parmesan In The Air Fryer
Cook chicken parmesan in the air fryer at 375°F for 6-7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. After adding sauce and cheese, air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese perfectly. The total cooking time is about 11-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer chicken parmesan is incredibly delicious and versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it!
- Over Pasta: Serve it over spaghetti, linguine, whole wheat pasta, or your favorite pasta with extra marinara sauce. For a low-carb option, serve it over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Try our air fryer spaghetti squash for an easy cooking option!
- Sandwich: Turn it into a crispy chicken parmesan sandwich with toasted ciabatta, extra marinara sauce, and melted cheese.
- With Garlic Bread: Serve this air fryer chicken parmesan alongside warm garlic bread, a crusty baguette, or sourdough.
- Potatoes: For an extra comforting dish, serve with a side of mashed potatoes or cottage cheese mashed potatoes! Or, enjoy with a side of crispy air-fried diced potatoes or cheesy air-fryer parmesan potatoes.
- Side Salad: We love serving it with a delicious and refreshing side salad! It pairs well with our Italian chopped salad, a classic Caesar salad, or our high-protein Italian pasta salad.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Even Cooking: It’s important to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so they cook evenly.
- Extra Crispiness: For extra crispiness, once the chicken is breaded on both sides, lightly spray the breadcrumb coating with olive oil before air frying.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Arrange the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- Let the Chicken Rest: Once done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving to keep it juicy.
- Oven Method: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken parmesan instead. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the coated chicken cutlets for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden and cooked through, when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Then, top with marinara and mozzarella and bake for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Or, try our baked chicken parmesan recipe!
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to one month.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Try!
- Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders No Breading
- Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
Plus, check out our collection of air fryer recipes here on Healthy Foodie Girl!
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
AIR FRYER CHICKEN PARMESAN
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise into cutlets
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil, or use olive oil spray
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded light mozzarella cheese
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves, optional
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create cutlets.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken with olive oil in a bowl or lightly spray the chicken with olive oil on both sides.
- Press each coated chicken cutlet into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides well.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the coated chicken breast cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6-7 minutes, flip, then cook for another 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Spoon marinara sauce over each piece and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Then, air fry for another 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with fresh basil, serve warm, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Extra Crispiness: For extra crispiness, once the chicken is breaded on both sides, lightly spray the breadcrumb coating with olive oil before air frying.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- The Best Breadcrumbs: Use panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunch and flavor. Or, use plain breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free option, substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes! You can use Italian breadcrumbs, but reduce the added seasonings by half.
- Olive Oil Substitution: If preferred, you can use an egg wash instead of olive oil spray. Simply dip each chicken cutlet into a shallow bowl with one beaten egg before coating it in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are so good and easy to make. And cutting each chicken breast in half gives us the perfect amount of chicken that we can eat. Thank you for another delicious recipe.
Hi Carol, I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the air fryer chicken parmesan! Cutting the chicken breasts in half really is a great way to get the perfect amount and ensure even cooking. Thank you for trying this recipe and for leaving a review!
This is our absolute favorite air fryer recipe yet. It’s crispy, juicy, and packed with Italian flavor. This lighter and faster chicken parmesan is a must-make for busy weeknights and when you want something cozy, homemade, and incredibly satisfying!