Who doesn’t like Chicken Parmesan? We’d like to know.
As one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) Italian-American dishes of all time, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Parmigiana, or simply Chicken Parm fills the tummies (and hearts) of people all over the world every year.
Traditionally, this dish is made by breading and shallow-frying chicken breasts, topping with tomato sauce and mozzarella, and finally, broiling the cheese-topped chicken until the cheese is browned and bubbling.
However, there’s a faster and easier method—Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan.
By avoiding the shallow-frying step, you’re saying the mess and the calories! The best part?
The chicken is just as crispy and crunchy as if it was fried, if not more so!
It’s almost like chicken pizza; just oh, so delicious.
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Chicken Parm Ingredients
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list! There are many things on the list that you likely already have in your pantry or refrigerator!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt
- Paprika
- Egg
- Cornstarch
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Parmesan
- Marinara
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parsley
You can substitute the Italian style breadcrumbs with Panko-style breadcrumbs for a more crispy crust, just add a little Italian seasoning mix to the Panko to get the same flavor profile.
Recipe Video
How to Make Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer?
This chicken parm recipe is super easy and cooks up quickly in the air fryer. In 25 minutes or less, you’ll have crispy, golden, cheesy chicken parm that will be a HUGE hit with kids and adults alike!
Step 1: Prepare the breading station.
There are 3, shallow but wide bowls needed for the breading station.
In the first bowl, make the dry rub by combining the cornstarch, garlic powder and Italian seasoning mix. In the second bowl, whisk one egg with 1 tbsp water until smooth. In the third bowl, combine the Italian style breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 2: Butterfly and flatten the boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
After patting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, lay them flat on a cutting board.
Using a sharp filet or chef’s knife, make shallow cuts into the side of the thickest part of the chicken breast, cutting halfway through the width of the meat but not all the way through.
Open the two sides and lay the piece down flat. Cover the top with a piece of plastic wrap and then pound it with a meat mallet or other heavy object like a frying pan. Repeat with other chicken breast.
Step 3: Season the tenderized chicken breast with paprika and salt.
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken pieces with paprika and salt. Set aside while you prepare the breading station.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
For a juicier and more tender chicken breast, it’s highly recommended to preheat the air fryer. Overcooking them result in a drier texture.
Step 5: Bread the tenderized chicken breasts.
Bread each chicken breast.
First, dip the chicken into the dry batter, making sure all of the chicken is coated in the mixture. Shake off any excess and then transfer the chicken to the beaten egg.
Turn to coat all sides in egg then transfer to the breadcrumbs. Pat to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken and then transfer to a clean plate. Repeat with the second piece of chicken.
Step 6: Air fry chicken parm for 10 minutes.
When the air fryer is heated, add the chicken breast pieces, not overlapping. If you want an extra-crisp exterior, spray the chicken with a little high-heat cooking oil. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping once and spraying with cooking oil halfway through.
✦ We normally cook any breaded protein at 380°F, however this air fryer chicken parm recipe is an exception. Since the chicken will be cooked in less than 10 minutes, we didn’t get enough browning at 380°F.
For this recipe, the best air frying temperature is 400°F (204°C).
Step 7: Add the marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then air fry for 2-3 more minutes.
After 10 minutes, spoon about 2 tbsp sauce onto both of the cutlets. Then, sprinkle with grated mozzarella. Put back into the air fryer and continue air frying until the cheese is browned and gooey, about 2-3 minutes.
✦ The recommended safe internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F (74°C) or higher.
✦ I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Step 8: Serve your crispy and juicy Air Fried Chicken Parmesan! Enjoy!
When the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is done, remove from the air fryer and transfer to a plate. Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley!
Another great way to top chicken parm is with basil! Basil is a fragrant and delicious herb that pairs perfectly with tomato sauce. A few fresh basil leaves go a long way and bring lots of good freshness!
Have some leftover chicken parm? Make a chicken parm sandwich!
Reheat your chicken parm (instructions below) then cut it into pieces that fit onto a roll. Wrap the sandwich in foil and then put into the air fryer (preheated to 380F) for 2-3 minutes to warm/toast the bread. Remove and enjoy!! Perfect for lunch on the go or when you feel like eating with your hands!
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: Air fryer chicken parm is best frozen without the parm. If you want to freeze some of the chicken, remove it from the air fryer before adding the marinara sauce and grated cheese. Allow it to cool completely before adding it to an airtight container or zip-top bag and freezing.
The cutlet can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes without sauce and cheese. Add the sauce and cheese and continue to air fry for another 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned.
Fridge: Allow the air fried Chicken Parmesan to cool completely before adding it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: The best way to reheat chicken parm is to first microwave it for 45 seconds-1 minute to start to heat the chicken. Then, transfer the chicken to an air fryer preheated to 380°F and cook until the chicken is crisp and the cheese is browned, about 1-2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry chicken Parmesan. In fact, it’s one of the quickest ways to cook it.
To cook chicken parm in the air fryer, first butterfly and tenderize your boneless and skinless chicken breasts. Then season them with salt and paprika. Next setup your breading station and preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 204°C. Bread your chicken Parmesan and cook them 5 minutes on each side in the preheated air fryer. After 10 minutes add the pizza or marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cook for another 2-3 minutes and you’re done!
To reheat any leftover chicken Parmesan, first preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 177°C. Add your leftover chicken parm, and air fry it for 5-6 minutes. That’s it!
It will take about 12-13 minutes to air fry chicken parm, but the cooking time will depend on three things: the thickness of your chicken breast, the number of servings you’re making, and the specific air fryer you are using.
On average, a typical serving of Chicken Parmesan can range from 400 to 600 calories. However, the calorie content of Chicken Parmesan can vary depending on the recipe and portion size.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast boneless and skinless
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon paprika
Breading
- 1 large egg egg wash
- ¼ cup cornstarch dry batter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder dry batter
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning dry batter
- ¼ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs breading mix
- ¼ cup Parmesan breading mix, grated
Toppings
- ¼ cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- ¼ cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Set up your breading station in three shallow dishes. In one dish, prepare the dry batter mixture by combining the cornstarch, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. In another dish, beat an egg until smooth. In the last dish, combine Italian-style breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Prepare the chicken breasts. Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts horizontally without cutting all the way through to create a butterfly cut. Then, spread both sides and flatten the chicken breasts with the flat side of the meat mallet.
- Next, season the chicken breast filets with paprika and salt.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Bread the tenderized chicken breasts. First, dredge them in the dry batter, shaking off any excess. Then, dip each chicken breast into the beaten egg. Lastly, coat them in the breading mixture, pressing gently to help the crumbs adhere. Repeat the process until all chicken breasts are breaded, and place them on a wire rack or plate.
- Air fry chicken parm for 10 minutes. Start by carefully transferring the breaded chicken Parmesan in the preheated air fryer, then spray them with high-heat cooking oil. Cook both sides for 5 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Continue air frying chicken Parmesan for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. To ensure that the chicken is fully cooked, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) or higher.
- Serve your air fryer chicken parm! Top it off with chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- Preheating your air fryer is highly recommended for a juicier and tender chicken breast. As with any protein, the longer it is cooked, the drier it becomes.
- According to the FDA, any poultry product should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or higher.
- If you have Panko breadcrumbs at home, you can easily make Italian-style breadcrumbs by adding shredded Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning to it.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test the air fryer chicken Parmesan recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your chicken breast. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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