Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a healthier, guilt-free twist on the classic Italian favorite. Crispy breaded chicken breasts are air-fried to perfection, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, making it a delicious and easy meal for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) to prepare it for cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch to ensure even cooking.
- Mix Breading: In a bowl, combine the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Oil the Chicken: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts in a separate dish to lightly coat them.
- Coat Chicken: Press each chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a good coating on all sides.
- Air Fry Initial Cooking: Place the breaded chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the chicken from the air fryer. Spoon marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the breadcrumb-coated chicken with cooking spray before air frying.
- Pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dryness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Customize toppings by adding fresh basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, healthy chicken parmesan, low fat chicken recipe, easy Italian dinner, guilt free chicken parmesan
