Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They're naturally more flavorful and forgiving if slightly overcooked. Pound them to even thickness and follow the recipe as written, possibly adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time depending on thickness.

My breading keeps falling off - what am I doing wrong?

This usually happens when the breading doesn't have a chance to adhere properly. Make sure to thoroughly dry your chicken with paper towels before starting the breading process, and after breading, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before air frying. This resting time allows the coating to set and stick better during cooking.

Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?

Definitely! While an air fryer gives excellent results, you can make this in a conventional oven. Place breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, until golden and cooked through, then add toppings and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.

How do I prevent my cheese from burning in the air fryer?

Lower the temperature to 375°F for the final cheese-melting step and watch it closely. If your air fryer runs hot, you can even turn it off completely after the second flip and let residual heat melt the cheese while the drawer remains closed. The chicken will stay hot enough to melt the cheese in 2-3 minutes.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs; 1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Cooking oil spray; 1/2 cup marinara sauce; 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil; 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Description

This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a healthier take on the classic Italian-American dish, with crispy and tender chicken topped with marinara, melted mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking oil spray

Topping

1/2 cup marinara sauce
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken
Use thin chicken breasts or place the 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Pound the chicken with a meat mallet or rolling pin until it reaches an even thickness.
Set Up Breading Station
Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first dish, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. In the second dish, whisk 1 large egg. In the third dish, combine 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Bread the Chicken
Coat each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, roll the chicken in the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure it adheres. Set the breaded chicken aside.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Cook the Chicken
Place the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray lightly with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip the chicken, spray again with cooking oil, and air fry for another 5 minutes.
Add Toppings
Spoon 1/2 cup marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Top each chicken breast with two slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Melt the Cheese
Air fry the chicken with the toppings for 2-3 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Serve
Sprinkle the chicken with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Pounding the chicken to an even size ensures even cooking and prevents dry spots.
Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can lead to uneven crisping. Work in batches if needed.
Use fresh, good-quality mozzarella for the best results.
If you prefer a thinner breading, you can reduce the amount of bread crumbs slightly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 155mg