Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
My air fryer chicken parmesan recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy breaded chicken with a tomato and mozzarella cheese topping. No deep frying needed.
I’ve always been a little skeptical about making chicken parm in the air fryer. It’s one of my all-time favorite comfort meals, and that signature coating feels hard to beat without hot oil. After a few rounds of testing for my forthcoming air fryer cookbook (and yes, this one made the cut!), I finally nailed it: perfectly golden chicken that stays juicy inside with a deep-fried-style crunch.
Now? It’s the version I make most often for my partner and me. It comes together in about 15 minutes, doesn’t need ANY oil (just a spritz on the outside), and still gives you that satisfying combo of marinara, melty cheese, and always juicy chicken. It’s SO good, my partner requests (demands) I make a double batch each time so he can turn leftovers into chicken parm subs.
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “This is my family’s favorite dinner I’ve made so far. I did the air fryer and baked version, and it came out delicious. I’m always looking for healthy non-bland recipes, and this one beyond succeeded.” – Kayla
Key Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients that go into my air-fried chicken parmesan. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below:
- Chicken breast fillets. I like to use two large chicken breasts (8 ounces each) and slice them in half, but you can use four small ones (4 ounces each). I had readers asking if you can use chicken thighs- you can, but you’ll need to increase the air frying time by 3-4 minutes.
- Panko breadcrumbs. For that golden and crunchy exterior. I tested this with standard breadcrumbs, and while crispy, it just didn’t have that satisfying crunch.
- Egg. A room-temperature egg will help the breading mixture stick to the chicken.
- Seasonings. I kept things simple with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. A trick I picked up in culinary school was that for melty cheese toppings, it’s always best to use a combination of two cheeses. The parmesan adds some sharp flavor, and the mozzarella adds some gooey, stretchy perfection.
- Marinara sauce. I used a store-bought sauce because it’s quick and convenient, but you can use a homemade sauce. Other Italian tomato sauces work well, too, like my sugo or pomodoro sauce.
- Cooking spray. I like to spritz both sides of the breaded chicken as it air-fries to keep it crispy.
How to make air fryer chicken parmesan
Step 1- Prep the chicken. Pound the chicken to about 1/2 an inch thick. Pat the fillets dry using a paper towel.
Step 2- Coat the chicken. Moving quickly, dip the chicken breasts in the egg, then the panko mixture. Discard any excess breading.
Step 3- Air fry. Put a single layer of your crumbed chicken breasts in the greased air fryer basket and let them air fry for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 4- Add toppings. Pull out the basket, top the chicken with marinara, parmesan, and mozzarella, then air fry for 2 more minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
Arman’s recipe tips
- If you want less mess, line the base of the air fryer with parchment paper or air fryer liners. The chicken won’t be as crispy, but it will make clean-up a breeze.
- Keep an eye on the chicken to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Check the chicken’s internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer; once it reaches 165F, it is ready to enjoy.
- Avoid over-crowding the air fryer basket. Our goal is to have crispy chicken, so it’s so important that they aren’t overlapping so the hot air can circulate around each fillet. If needed, air fry in batches.
Frequently asked questions
My trick for avoiding the breadcrumbs from falling off the chicken is to press each fillet into the breadcrumbs so they stick. I did try chilling the breaded chicken for 30-40 minutes first, but it didn’t crisp up as well.
Soggy breading usually means there’s still moisture on the chicken- not from the egg, but from the meat itself. Pat the chicken completely dry with a paper towel after pounding to lock in that crisp, golden crust.
The best side dishes to pair with this chicken are salads, vegetables, pasta, or something fun, like potatoes. Because my air fryer has two baskets (I have a Ninja Dual XL), I like to whip up some air fryer French fries or air fryer brussels sprouts simultaneously.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts See notes
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 190C/375F. Grease the air fryer basket.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half and pound them to about half an inch thick. Using a paper towel, soak up any excess moisture.
- In one bowl, add the egg and whisk it well. In the second bowl, add the panko, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Dip the chicken in the egg, then dip it in the dry mix, pressing down firmly until fully coated. Repeat the process until all four chicken breasts are breaded.
- Add the chicken into the greased air fryer basket, spray both sides with cooking spray, and air fry for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the air fryer basket and add 1/4 cup of marinara sauce on top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Place the air fryer basket back in the air fryer and air fry for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Notes
- Chicken breast weight: I use two 8-ounce fillets, but you can use four 4-ounce fillets.
- Oven method: While this is an air fryer recipe, you can use a convection oven. Prep the chicken as instructed and place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 180C/350F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Now, add the toppings and turn the broil setting on. Broil for 2-3 minutes.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free panko and gluten-free bread crumbs.
- TO STORE: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- TO FREEZE: Wrap it in foil or use an air-tight container and store the chicken parm in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- TO REHEAT: Reheat them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is sizzling.
Nutrition
More crispy chicken in the air fryer
Originally published December 2022
Yum! So much quicker, easier and healthier than traditional recipes. A winner all around!
perfect instructions!
Fhis is good healthy Italian recipe. Parmessn snd mozzarella are one of the best cheeses.
This looks delish! If you are low carb or keto, you can crush up some pork rings (I use a mallet with the skins in a freezer bag to replace all or part of the panko. I usually mix powdered parmesan cheese or a bit of almondflower with the rinds. They make a great breading.
This is my families favorite dinner I’ve made so far. I did the baked version of it and it came out absolutely delicious. Im always looking for healthy non bland recipes and this one beyond succeeded.
Aw, thanks Kayla!
DELICIOUS!!! I JUST GOT AN AIRFRYER AND LOVE THE RECIPES YOU SEND<
THANKYOU!
To make it Keto , I used ground porkrinds in place of bread crumbs. Was good!
Super easy recipe and tasty recipe. The chicken comes out crispy, but juicy on the inside. Love my air fryer. Thank you for all the recipes on your site!
Looks delicious and is one of my favorite dishes. But I’m allergic to eggs and don’t have an air fryer. Do you have any suggestions for egg substitute? Can this be made in a conventional oven?
You could experiment with aquafaba and see how that goes. And yes, oven option works.
Our daughter is allergic to eggs. I use a slurry of corn starch and very little water. It requires a specific consistency that isn’t too watery. Try a 1:1 ratio. Once you figure out the right consistency it works great. With the price of eggs I still use this even if my daughter isn’t home.