Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a crispy and flavorful twist on the classic Italian-American dish. Tender chicken breasts are pounded thin, coated with a parmesan and panko breadcrumb mixture, air fried to golden perfection, topped with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, then garnished with fresh basil for a deliciously easy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lb Chicken Breast, boneless skinless
Breading
- ¼ Cup Shredded Parmesan
- 1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 Egg, beaten
Toppings
- ½ Cup Marinara Sauce
- ½ Cup Mozzarella Cheese
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Air Fryer: Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil and preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F for optimal cooking temperature.
- Pound Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half and place them between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound each piece with the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin until thin and even in thickness.
- Setup Breading Station: On a plate, mix the panko breadcrumbs and shredded parmesan. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy to prepare for dipping.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each pounded chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture, ensuring an even coating. Shake off excess crumbs.
- Air Fry Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crisping. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: When the chicken is golden and cooked, spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of each piece, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Melt Cheese: Continue air frying for an additional 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken parmesan to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- For even thinner chicken, use a meat mallet to pound chicken breasts uniformly to ensure quicker, crispier cooking.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, the oven method provides a delicious alternative with similar results.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and crispiness.
- Use fresh basil just before serving to maintain its bright flavor and appearance.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for less water release and better melting on the chicken.
- The internal temperature of 165°F ensures chicken is safely cooked through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
