Description
A crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe featuring tender chicken breasts coated in Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, garnished with fresh basil. Perfect for a quick and delicious main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1.5 lb chicken breast, boneless skinless
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
Toppings and Garnish
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil and preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half and place each piece between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound them with the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin until they are thin and even in thickness.
- Coat Chicken: On a plate, mix the panko breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Dip each pounded chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture.
- Cook Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, shaking off excess crumbs. Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through using tongs. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Add Toppings and Finish: Once the chicken is golden, spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on each piece. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the cooked chicken Parmesan to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- For best results, pound the chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- You can substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make it gluten free.
- Use freshly shredded Parmesan and mozzarella cheese for better melting and flavor.
- The chicken can be cooked in the oven as an alternative method: bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then broil with toppings for 2-3 minutes.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Air fryer basket liners or aluminum foil help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Serve with a side of pasta or a green salad for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
