Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan (Print Version)

Golden breaded chicken with marinara and melted mozzarella, air-fried for a quick Italian-American weeknight main.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), butterflied into 4 cutlets
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Breading

04 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 tablespoon water
07 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

→ Toppings

11 - 1 cup marinara sauce
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Pat the butterflied chicken dry and season both sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: flour in the first; whisk the eggs with 1 tablespoon water in the second; in the third combine panko, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, garlic powder and dried Italian seasoning.
04 - Dredge each cutlet in flour, shaking off excess, dip into the egg wash, then press into the panko mixture to coat thoroughly.
05 - Place the breaded cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping; lightly spray the tops with olive oil or nonstick spray.
06 - Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes.
07 - Turn each cutlet over, spray lightly again, and air fry for an additional 4 minutes.
08 - Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of marinara over each cutlet, distribute shredded mozzarella and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon grated Parmesan per piece.
09 - Return to the air fryer and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, until cheese is melted and bubbling.
10 - Remove carefully, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve immediately with chosen sides.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You’ll get gorgeously crispy chicken with barely any oil, and nobody will guess it wasn’t deep fried.
  • If you’re ever in a hurry (or just short on patience), this delivers that classic cheesy satisfaction in under half an hour.
02 -
  • If you try to pile cutlets on top of each other, you’ll end up with soggy crust and disappointed faces.
  • Lightly spraying the breadcrumbs before air frying is the game changer for color and shatteringly crisp texture.
03 -
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness means everything cooks fast and evenly—no more dry edges.
  • A second layer of Parmesan in your breadcrumb bowl takes both crunch and flavor to the next level.
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