Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Chicken Parmesan is a classic comfort food that can be made healthier and faster in the air fryer. The air fryer's high heat and powerful fan cook food quickly and give it a crispy texture without using much oil. This makes it ideal for making Chicken Parmesan, which traditionally involves frying breaded chicken in oil. By using an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy texture with less fat and mess. The air fryer also cooks the chicken more quickly and evenly than traditional frying methods.

How to prepare the chicken

Preparing the chicken for air fryer chicken parmesan is simple and only takes about 15 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, you will need to butterfly your chicken breasts. Place your boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut them in the middle, all the way through, to make two thinner pieces. This will help the chicken cook more quickly and evenly.

Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

Now, you will set up your dredging station. You will need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add flour and season it with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat some eggs. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and any desired seasonings. For the breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or panko for a crispier texture. Italian-style breadcrumbs are a good option, or you can add Italian seasoning to plain breadcrumbs. For the cheese, shredded parmesan is recommended as it gets crispier during cooking.

Once your dredging station is set up, it's time to coat the chicken. Working with one piece at a time, coat the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the eggs, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure the coating adheres well.

After all the chicken pieces are coated, spray both sides with cooking spray or brush them with olive oil. This will give the chicken a delicious golden-brown color.

Now, you are ready to place the chicken into the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until it is light golden. Then, flip the chicken and add your toppings. Top each piece of chicken with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked, crispy, and juicy air fryer chicken parmesan. Enjoy!

The breading

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by slicing and butterflying your boneless, skinless chicken breasts to create thin pieces of chicken. This can be done by placing your hand flat on top of the chicken breast and using a sharp knife to cut through the middle, creating two thinner pieces. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, as this will help achieve a crispier texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up three shallow bowls for the dredging station. In the first bowl, add flour (optional) and season with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat eggs. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. For the breadcrumbs, you can use Italian-style, Panko, or regular breadcrumbs. If using regular breadcrumbs, add 1-2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to add more flavour. For the parmesan cheese, shredded parmesan cheese is recommended as it turns crispy during cooking, giving a better texture. You can also add other seasonings like dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to enhance the flavour of the breading.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it with flour (optional), shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring that all surfaces of the chicken are covered. Finally, dredge the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure an even and well-coated layer.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray to achieve a golden-brown colour. Air fry for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Finish Cooking

Once the chicken is lightly golden, top each piece with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Continue cooking for about 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air-frying the chicken

To start, you will need to butterfly your chicken breasts to create two thinner, evenly thick pieces of chicken. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Next, set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add flour and season with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat some eggs. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. The breadcrumbs can be regular or panko, and the parmesan cheese should be shredded or finely grated. For extra crispiness, you can add more panko to the bowl.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken. First, dip the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it in the egg, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dip the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure it adheres well. Repeat this process for all pieces of chicken.

Once your chicken is coated, arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray, which will give it a golden-brown colour. Set the air fryer to 350-400°F and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until lightly golden.

After the chicken is cooked, top each piece with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried chicken parmesan. Enjoy!

Adding toppings

Once your chicken is cooked, it's time to add the toppings!

First, you'll want to add your marinara sauce. Spoon around 2 tablespoons of sauce onto each chicken breast.

Next, add your cheese. Most recipes suggest using mozzarella, but you could also add pepper Jack cheese or bocconcini for a slightly different flavour. Sprinkle parmesan over the mozzarella for a perfect golden and melted cheese topping.

Finally, pop your chicken back into the air fryer for around 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.

And there you have it—a delicious, healthier version of chicken parmesan, made in your air fryer!

Reheating and storing

Chicken parmesan is a popular dish that combines crispy, breaded chicken with tomato sauce and melted cheese. If you have leftovers, reheating them properly can ensure that you still get to enjoy its delicious flavours and crispy texture. Here are some tips and tricks for reheating and storing your chicken parmesan:

Reheating Chicken Parmesan in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 325-380°F (163-193°C).
• Take your refrigerated chicken parmesan leftovers and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for proper air circulation.
• Reheat for 3-4 minutes, flipping the chicken parmesan halfway through.
• Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.
• Serve immediately.

Reheating Chicken Parmesan in an Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
• Place the chicken parmesan on a baking tray and cover with aluminium foil.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, then open the foil and flip the chicken parmesan.
• Add more cheese on top if desired, then seal with foil again and bake for another 5-10 minutes until heated through.

Reheating Chicken Parmesan on a Stovetop:

• Heat a skillet to medium heat and spread a thin layer of oil in the pan.
• Place the chicken parmesan in the skillet and cover.
• Heat for a minute or two, then flip and cook covered until heated through on low to medium heat.

Storing Chicken Parmesan:

Leftover chicken parmesan can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. If freezing, it is recommended to store in an aluminium baking tray covered with a lid and plastic wrap.

Reheating from Frozen:

If reheating frozen chicken parmesan, there is no need to thaw it first. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and bake for 35-45 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Frequently asked questions