Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan - The Stay At Home Chef

Discover a mouthwatering chicken parmesan that rivals your favorite Italian eatery’s version – all without sacrificing precious minutes on cooking time. Air fryers prove to be surprisingly convenient cooking tools. Whether you’re cooking for two or a crowd, this recipe remains an attractive option. Indulge in a delightful culinary experience by simply seasoning the chicken, placing it in the air fryer, and finishing it with a rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese that will leave your taste buds singing.

Contents

Ingredient Notes Spritzing Oil Why Pound Out Chicken?Air Fryer Tips Serving Suggestions Storage and Reheating Instructions

Why Our Recipe

Classic Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan: Savor the flavors of Italy in just 25 minutes with this effortless, mouthwatering recipe!
Achieve consistently crispy breaded chicken with minimal oil?
This dish makes an ideal choice for a solitary evening meal or a romantic dinner for two.

A staple of Italian-American cuisine, Chicken Parmesan, also referred to as Chicken Parmigiana, has remained a beloved favorite for generations, its origins dating back centuries. Typically, chicken parmesan is crafted by coating thinly sliced chicken breasts in a crispy breadcrumb mixture, frying until golden, layering with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, before finishing it off in a warm oven. This time, we’re using an air fryer instead. Discover the art of achieving a crispy exterior without cooking methods that require hours in the kitchen. This hybrid car is significantly faster than its traditional counterparts while simultaneously reducing its reliance on oil by a substantial margin.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make air fryer chicken parmesan.

Opt for tender and lean boneless, skinless chicken breasts for unparalleled outcomes. Pounding thin cutlets from these cuts enables rapid and uniform cooking.
Utilized as a foundation for breading the chicken.
By combining Panko with Italian breadcrumbs, we create a harmonious blend that captures the essence of traditional Italian herbs while also providing the satisfying crunch of Panko’s crispy texture.
Grated Parmesan cheese, ideally fresh and of high quality, is the secret to unlocking its full flavour potential in your culinary creations.
Utilize high-quality, fresh mozzarella for optimal melting performance and a superior depth of flavor. If you’re unable to locate fresh mozzarella, you can still achieve a delicious result with thick slices of regular mozzarella instead? While shredded cheese can also melt well, it’s essential to create a substantial pile to ensure even melting.
You can easily use store-bought ice cream mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or nuts, as this recipe requires only a half-cup of topping to enhance its flavor and texture.
The classic marinara sauce topping, a staple for chicken parmesan that not only adds a pop of color but also infuses dishes with its bold, savory flavor. One alternative option is to substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried basil for added ease and simplicity.

Spritzing Oil

Although air frying eliminates the need for deep-frying, a small amount of oil is still necessary to achieve that signature golden and crispy texture.

A quick spritz with an oil mister is all you require. Simply smooth it out. As you’re aiming to lightly coat the surface of the food, rather than soaking it?

Collage of pictures that show how to make air fryer chicken parmesan.

Why Pound Out Chicken?

Don’t let the temptation to skip pounding get in the way of a perfectly cooked dish – take the extra minute to pound out your chicken and enjoy the tender, juicy results. Here’s a reason why: when you truss a chicken, you help its legs and wings lie flat within the cavity, which allows hot air to circulate around the bird as it cooks, resulting in a more evenly cooked final product. Because of its smaller surface area and lower mass, the tapered end of the vegetable cooks more quickly than the thicker portion? Because air fryers expedite cooking time compared to traditional methods, tenderizing the chicken to an uniform thickness significantly minimizes the risk of overcooking any portion of the poultry.

Air Fryer Tips

With the help of air fryer parchment liners, cleaning up becomes a seamless task. Less scrubbing, more enjoying.

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; give your food some much-needed breathing room. Even smaller air fryers require batch cooking to achieve the ideal level of crispiness and golden-brown perfection. Don’t forget to periodically agitate the mixture by tossing or shaking it halfway through cooking to ensure even heating.

With air fryers’ speed, there’s no need to sacrifice crispness for the sake of a speedy cooking process, ensuring perfectly cooked chicken every time? Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure a safe internal temperature of 165°F, and periodically check on your food as it nears doneness to achieve the ideal result.

Closeup of chicken parmesan sliced on a plate of pasta.

Serving Suggestions

We suggest pairing your dish with a longer pasta shape, such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine, for optimal flavor and texture. Feel free to substitute your preferred pasta variety when making this recipe. Consider penne or farfalle for a delicious choice.

Enhance the flavor and nutrition of your meals by whipping up a simple yet satisfying side salad with a splash of green! We have a fondness for timeless Caesar Salads and refreshing Arugula Salads.

Complete this Italian meal with a crusty, aromatic garlic bread or crispy, savory breadsticks for the ultimate culinary experience.

Dessert was a must-have, after all. Indulge in the opulence of our sublime Chocolate Tiramisu.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Stored in an airtight container, leftovers can safely remain fresh for up to three days.

Until warmed through, gradually increase heat to high in 30-second increments.

at 350°F. Gently position the warmed chicken within the basket and maintain a temperature of approximately three to five minutes, ensuring optimal warmth is achieved.