Have you tried cooking with an air fryer yet? If not, you’ll want to try this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. It’s a lighter take on classic chicken parmesan with a crisp, golden crust using very little oil. This version is fast, simple, and perfect for weeknight dinners. If you don’t own an air fryer, cooking with one can really change how quickly and easily you prepare meals.
Easy Air Fried Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Fans of traditional chicken parmesan will love how this air-fried version delivers a crunchy exterior and juicy interior with minimal oil. The chicken is breaded with parmesan and breadcrumbs, air fried until crisp, then topped with marinara and melted mozzarella for a satisfying finish. It comes together quickly — just a few minutes in the air fryer after prep. Serve over pasta for a family meal or alongside steamed vegetables for a lower-carb option.
Video of Best Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
How to Make Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer
- Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise, then pound to an even, thinner thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine breadcrumbs and grated parmesan in a medium bowl. Beat one or two eggs in a separate bowl.
- Dip each chicken piece in the beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb-parmesan mixture. Shake off excess crumbs and lightly spray both sides with cooking spray just before cooking.
- Cook the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. See the full recipe below for exact times and photos.
Why Was the Chicken Still Raw After Air Frying?
If your chicken is undercooked after air frying it’s usually because the pieces were too thick or the cooker’s temperature and timing weren’t adjusted. Here are tips to avoid that:
- Pound chicken to an even thickness. If a breast is very large, slice it in half lengthwise before pounding.
- Some store-bought breasts are simply too large to cook through quickly. Trim and portion them if necessary so they cook evenly.
- Remove attached tenders or rib meat and cook them separately. Extra rib meat can make a breast unevenly thick.
- If pieces are thin and still underdone, add a few minutes of cooking time and check with an instant-read thermometer — the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. (680 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts)
- 1-2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup (80 g) breadcrumbs , or as needed
- 1/4 cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray , for coating
- 2 cups (480 ml) marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 cup (112 g) grated mozzarella cheese
- Chopped Italian parsley , for garnish
- Kosher salt , to taste
- Black pepper , to taste
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Instructions
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Pat chicken dry if needed. Slice each breast in half lengthwise and pound to an even thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
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Mix breadcrumbs and parmesan in a shallow bowl. Beat one egg in a separate bowl (use a second egg if needed for coating) and set aside.
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Dip each piece of chicken in egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off excess crumbs. Lightly spray both sides of each coated piece with cooking spray just before placing in the air fryer.
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Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
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Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 6–8 minutes. Flip the chicken, spoon marinara over each piece, and sprinkle with mozzarella. Air fry an additional 3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Recipes were tested in 3–4 qt air fryers. Larger or smaller models may cook faster or slower — adjust times accordingly.
- If cooking in batches, preheating the air fryer helps the first batch cook more evenly and quickly.
- Set a timer and check food as directed to flip or shake the basket for even browning.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Don’t Have an Air Fryer? Try Our Crispy Fried or Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan
You’ll Love These Other Easy & Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Crispy Parmesan Chicken Sandwich
- Skillet Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
- Low Carb Air Fryer Chicken Broccoli “Stir Fry”
- More healthy air fryer recipes available on the site.
- This recipe was originally published in 2019.