Once you learn how to make Chicken Parmesan in the air fryer you may never go back to traditional methods. This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe is crispy, tender, and perfectly cooked every time!
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts , (about 8 ounces each), sliced in half, lengthwise, to create 4 thin cutlets
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
¼ cup shredded Parmesan
1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs
½ cup marinara sauce
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
fresh parsley or basil, optional for garnish
nonstick cooking spray, propellant free (see Notes below)
Instructions
Preheat air fryer at 380 degrees F for 4 minutes. Preheat your conventional oven to 200 degrees F. and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
If necessary, place plastic wrap over the chicken and pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet so each piece is no more than ½-inch thick. Season both sides of the chicken with a little salt, to taste.
In a low, shallow dish mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, granulated garlic, and pepper.
In another dish whisk the eggs.
Dip both sides of a chicken cutlet in the egg and then dredge both sides in the breadcrumb mixture and transfer to a clean cutting board or piece of foil. Repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
Spritz the air fryer basket with oil. Place two of the coated chicken cutlets in the preheated air fryer. Spritz the tops of the chicken with oil and cook at 380 degrees F for 6 minutes.
Flip the chicken over and carefully top with the marinara sauce, spreading it out over the chicken with the back of a spoon. Top with ¼ of the mozzarella cheese (trying not to let any spill over onto the air fryer basket). Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown in spots and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degree F when measured with an instant read thermometer.
Place the cooked chicken on the prepared baking sheet and transfer it to the oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining chicken cutlets.
Notes
How to cut chicken breast into cutlets – Place a chicken breast on a cutting board and press one hand on top. Using a sharp knife, slice all the way through the center to create two thin cutlets. Try to slice as close as possible to the center of the chicken breast so that the chicken cutlets will be of even thickness. If the cutlets are more than ½-inch thick, place them between sheets of plastic wrap or in a plastic storage bag and gently pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet.
Propellant-free nonstick cooking spray – To avoid damaging your air fryer basket over time, use a propellant-free cooking spray like Chosen Avocado Oil Spray. Or, use an oil mister filled with vegetable, canola, or olive oil.
