Cody Casey
Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that is loved by many. It is a simple dish to make, but it can be time-consuming and messy to fry the chicken. However, with an air fryer, you can have delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken Parmesan on your table in no time! All you need is an air fryer, a few simple ingredients, and less than 20 minutes to spare. So, get your ingredients ready and let's begin!
How to Cook Parmesan Chicken in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken breasts, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, basil, butter, oil |
| Preparation | Chicken is sliced into thin pieces, coated in a breading mixture of flour, egg, and panko, then cooked in the air fryer at 350-400°F for 5 minutes per side. It is then topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese and cooked for an additional 3 minutes. |
| Benefits | Faster and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as it requires less oil and cooks food faster. |
| Tips | Use shredded Parmesan cheese for a crispy crust, and Italian-style breadcrumbs for added flavor. Thinly sliced chicken ensures even cooking and a crispy texture. |
| Serving Suggestions | Chicken Parmesan can be served with pasta, salad, garlic bread, or in a sandwich. |
| Storage | Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to maintain crispness. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation
Slicing and Seasoning:
Start by carefully slicing the chicken breasts. For the best results, use boneless and skinless chicken breasts. You can either slice them in half lengthwise or create thin slices by butterflying them. Slicing the chicken into thinner pieces ensures even cooking and a juicy texture. Season the chicken pieces on both sides with salt and pepper, according to your taste preferences. Set the seasoned chicken aside while you prepare the dredging station.
Dredging Station Setup:
You'll need three shallow bowls for the dredging process. In the first bowl, add flour and season it with a pinch of salt and black pepper. You can also add garlic powder to the flour for extra flavor. In the second bowl, beat or whisk eggs until well blended. The eggs act as a binder for the breading. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and your choice of seasonings. You can use Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, or a combination of these. If you want an extra crispy coating, use Panko breadcrumbs, which are known for their crispiness.
Coating the Chicken:
Now it's time to coat the chicken! Take each piece of chicken and dredge it in the flour, making sure to shake off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, gently pressing to ensure it adheres well. Make sure to coat both sides of the chicken evenly. Repeat this process with each piece of chicken, working in batches if necessary.
Final Touches:
Once all the chicken pieces are well-coated, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space for air to circulate and brown the food evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the basket and the chicken with a non-aerosol oil spray to help achieve that crispy texture.
Your chicken is now ready to be cooked to perfection in the air fryer! Follow the cooking instructions for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, and you'll soon be enjoying a delicious, crispy, and golden treat.
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Breading
To make the breading for your parmesan chicken, you'll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add flour and season with salt and pepper, or garlic powder. In the second bowl, whisk eggs. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings such as oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper.
Before coating the chicken in the breading, pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will ensure the breading sticks to the chicken and results in a crispier texture.
Now, working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to adhere and ensuring both sides are well-coated.
Some recipes suggest using only eggs and breadcrumbs for the breading, skipping the initial flour coating. In this case, brush the chicken with melted butter or oil before coating with the egg and breadcrumb mixture to give it a "fried" taste without frying.
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Cooking
Air fryers are a great alternative to frying as they require significantly less oil. They work like a convection oven, using a powerful fan to cook food quickly and give it a crispy exterior.
To cook parmesan chicken in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Parmesan cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Flour (optional)
- Oregano (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Butter (optional)
Firstly, prepare the chicken by slicing the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pounding them to create thin, evenly thick slices. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Next, create a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place flour seasoned with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat eggs. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and any additional seasonings such as oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning.
Working with one piece at a time, coat the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, before finally dipping it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres well.
Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 350-400°F and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Once the chicken is cooked, top each piece with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Serve immediately with your choice of sides, such as pasta, salad, or garlic bread. Enjoy!
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Toppings
When it comes to toppings for your Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, there are several options to choose from. The classic choice is to top the chicken with tomato-based pasta sauce, such as marinara or your favourite pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese. You can also add some Parmesan cheese on top for an extra cheesy kick. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook until the cheese is melted and golden, which should take around 3 minutes.
To finish the dish, you can sprinkle some freshly chopped basil on top, along with some additional shaved Parmesan cheese. This will give your Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan a restaurant-worthy look and feel.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different sauces. Try a creamy, herbaceous pesto or a rich, homemade Alfredo sauce instead of the traditional marinara. You can also serve your Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan on a bed of your favourite pasta, such as creamy tomato rigatoni or garlic Parmesan orzo.
For a lighter option, you can skip the pasta and serve the chicken with zucchini noodles or a simple side salad. Some other side dish ideas include homemade garlic bread, roasted green beans, or garlic mashed potatoes.
Remember, Chicken Parmesan is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, use the air fryer to regain that crispy texture.
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Reheating
To reheat in the air fryer, preheat it to 350-360ºF and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until heated through to 165ºF. Before reheating, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and ensure crispiness. You can also slice the chicken thinly to promote even and quick cooking.
If you prefer, you can also reheat chicken parmesan in the oven at 350ºF until it reaches 165ºF. Alternatively, you can use the microwave to warm up your leftovers, but the breading may not stay as crispy.
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Frequently asked questions
First, prepare your dredging station by adding flour, salt, and pepper to one bowl, beaten eggs to a second bowl, and a combination of panko, parmesan, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to a third bowl. Next, coat your chicken in the flour, then the eggs, and finally the panko, shaking off any excess. Place the chicken in a single layer in your air fryer, cooking in batches if necessary. Cook at 400°F for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and cook for another 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Air fryers require significantly less oil than deep frying, making them a healthier alternative. They also cook food faster than an oven and create a crispy exterior without the mess of frying.
Leftover chicken parmesan will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can use the oven, microwave, or air fryer. For the air fryer, preheat to 360°F and cook for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
