Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan

A good chicken Parmesan recipe is worth its weight in gold. The classic Italian-American dish, which consists of cheesy, saucy, breaded chicken breasts, is easy to make at home. And it’s easier still if you have an air-fryer! The best part is that air-fryer chicken Parmesan uses the same method as the original, coating the cutlets with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs before smothering them in pasta sauce and mozzarella.

Like other air-fryer chicken recipes, this one results in a crispy crust without the fuss or mess of frying. This quick version cooks in half the time of classic chicken parmigiana, so keep this air-fryer recipe around for busy nights. Freshly chopped basil and shaved Parmesan are great garnishes that’ll make it feel like a restaurant-worthy dish. Plate it with any pasta shapes you like, though spaghetti is typical.

Ingredients for Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves are more likely to stay moist during the cooking process than thinner cutlets, so they’re ideal for making chicken Parmesan in an air fryer.
• Eggs: Dunking the chicken breasts in beaten eggs helps the seasoned bread crumbs stick to the chicken’s surface.
• Breading: The chicken breasts are covered in a mixture made from seasoned bread crumbs, nutty Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Store-bought seasoned breadcrumbs are popular for this air-fryer chicken Parmesan recipe, but feel free to use Italian-style or garlic and herb. For the Parmesan, it’s best to grate your own at home.
• Pasta sauce: You can make your go-to marinara recipe for this dish, but store-bought jarred sauces also work great.
• Mozzarella cheese: A melty layer of shredded whole or skim-milk mozzarella cheese is an iconic characteristic of chicken Parmesan. Provolone is also a worthy substitute.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the coating

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs. In another shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and pepper.

Editors Tip: To make your own breadcrumbs, cut or tear stale white bread into roughly small pieces and process them in a food processor until coarsely crumbed. Flavor them with salt and dried basil and oregano or Italian seasoning.

Step 2: Bread the chicken

TASTE OF HOME

Dip the chicken breasts into the beaten egg, then coat them with the crumb mixture.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

TASTE OF HOME

Place the chicken in a single layer on a greased tray in your air-fryer basket. Cook until a thermometer reads 165°, 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through for even browning.

Step 4: Melt the cheese

TASTE OF HOME

Top the chicken with sauce and shredded mozzarella. Cook until the cheese has melted, three to four minutes longer. If desired, sprinkle your air-fryer Parmesan chicken with chopped basil and additional Parmesan cheese, and serve it with pasta.

TASTE OF HOME

Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan Variations

• Use thighs: The uniform thickness of boneless chicken breast halves makes them perfect for whipping up chicken Parmesan. But you can also use thighs, which turn into moist and juicy breaded cutlets. Just be sure to pound the chicken pieces to a uniform thickness to ensure they cook evenly in the air-fryer.
• Make a sandwich: Instead of serving your air chicken with pasta, serve your chicken parmesan on a toasted baguette or hoagie roll.
• Experiment with sauces: While marinara is a classic element of chicken Parmesan, you can try swapping it out with another pasta sauce, such as herbaceous classic pesto or creamy homemade Alfredo sauce.

How to Store Chicken Parmesan

Store leftover chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for up to four days.

How do you reheat chicken Parmesan?

Reheat chicken Parmesan in the air fryer, or in a covered dish in the microwave to remelt the cheese.

Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan Tips

Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. Just make sure your breasts are cooked through before removing them (they should reach an internal temperature of 165° when pierced with a meat thermometer).

Should you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

You can put aluminum foil in an air fryer, but we recommend avoiding it, if possible, since foil can block airflow and cause uneven cooking. Only use foil if air-fryer recipes specifically call for it.

What’s the best temperature to cook chicken in an air fryer?

The best temperature to cook chicken Parmesan in an air fryer depends on what type and model of air fryer you have. But it’s usually between 350° and 400°.

How do you keep breading on air-fryer chicken Parmesan?

Dunking your chicken breasts in beaten egg will help the breadcrumbs stick to the air-fryer chicken Parmesan. You can also gently press the breadcrumbs into the surface of the chicken with dry hands and/or refrigerate the breasts for about 30 minutes to help the breading stay on.

What can you serve with air-fryer chicken Parmesan?

Classic Italian-style recipes that complement air-fryer chicken Parmesan include warm bread and pasta, which you can top with any extra sauce you have. Green salads like Caesar salad or a simple Italian salad also pair well with chicken Parmesan. Finish your meal with homemade tiramisu.

Can you make air-fryer chicken Parmesan in advance?

Definitely! If you make it in advance, don’t add the sauce and mozzarella to the breasts and store all of the elements separately in the refrigerator to prevent the chicken from getting soggy. When you’re ready to serve the chicken Parmesan, top the breasts with the sauce and cheese and pop them in the oven.