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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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4 from 90 reviews

A quick and easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe featuring crispy breaded chicken cutlets cooked to perfection with melted mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce, topped with fresh basil for a deliciously satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ¼ pounds total)

Breading

  • ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (use whole wheat panko if available)
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg

Toppings and Sauce

  • 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup good-quality jarred tomato sauce (plus more for serving)
  • Fresh basil (thinly sliced, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place this in the oven to keep cooked chicken warm between batches.
  2. Pound: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thin cutlets. Cover with plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound each to about ¼-inch thickness using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or your fist. Set aside.
  3. Stir: In a shallow dish, mix together Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, panko, freshly grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg until smooth. Slice or shred mozzarella into 4 equal portions.
  4. Dredge: Dip each chicken cutlet into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the breaded cutlets on a clean work surface.
  5. Air Fry - First Side: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overlapping. Mist the tops lightly with cooking spray. Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes.
  6. Flip and Top: Carefully flip each piece using tongs. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce on top of each cutlet, then add one portion of mozzarella cheese on each.
  7. Air Fry - Second Side: Continue cooking in the air fryer until the cheese melts, becomes bubbly, the chicken is golden, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 3 minutes more.
  8. Keep Warm: Transfer cooked chicken to the prepared baking sheet in the warm oven to keep hot while cooking remaining batches.
  9. Serve: Serve the chicken hot, garnished generously with thinly sliced fresh basil and extra tomato sauce if desired.

Notes

  • For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs can be substituted for a healthier twist.
  • If your air fryer basket tends to stick, use additional nonstick spray before cooking.
  • You can prepare the breading mixture in advance to save time.
  • This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on servings needed.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/air-fryer-chicken-parmesan-recipe/