Air-Fryer Chicken Parm Perfection: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that consists of saucy, cheesy, breaded chicken breasts. Air-frying the chicken cuts the prep and cooking time in half, making it a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The air fryer also creates a crispy, golden-brown crust without the need for oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.

Preparing the chicken breasts

Once you have the desired thickness, season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and set them aside.

Next, you'll need to set up a dredging or breading station. This typically involves three steps: flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Place some flour in a shallow bowl and season it with salt and pepper. In a second bowl, beat some eggs. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. You can also add other seasonings to the flour and egg mixture if desired.

Now you're ready to start breading the chicken. 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. Finally, dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure the chicken is well coated. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of chicken.

Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Cook at 350-400°F for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Making the coating

To make the coating for your chicken parm, you'll need to prepare a few bowls with different mixtures. Firstly, you'll need to beat some eggs in a shallow bowl. You can add some seasoning to the eggs if you wish. In a separate bowl, combine your breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and any other seasonings you want. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, and regular or panko breadcrumbs. You can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or dried oregano to the mixture.

Next, you'll need to dip your chicken breasts into the beaten egg, making sure they are well coated, before moving them to the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the mixture onto the chicken if necessary.

Some recipes suggest adding an additional step before the egg dip, which is to coat the chicken in flour. This initial flour coating will provide a dry surface for the egg to stick to, and the breadcrumbs will then stick to the egg.

Bread the chicken

To bread the chicken, start by preparing three separate bowls. In the first bowl, place some flour and season it with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat one or two eggs. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, and add seasonings such as oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. You can also add more panko than needed to ensure a crispy coating.

Next, working with one piece at a time, coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure both sides are well-coated. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.

Some recipes suggest adding non-stick cooking spray to the breaded chicken on all sides, or spritzing with oil, to help the chicken brown better.

Cooking the chicken

First, prepare your chicken breasts. You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken cutlets. If you're using chicken breasts, cut them in half lengthwise and pound them to an even thickness. This will ensure that they cook evenly. You can also season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

Next, you'll need to set up a dredging or breading station. This typically involves three steps: flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Place some flour on a plate and season it with salt and pepper. In a second bowl, beat or whisk an egg. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and any desired seasonings. You can also add other ingredients to the breading mixture, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes.

Now it's time to bread the chicken. First, dust the chicken with flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the chicken into the egg, making sure it's well coated. Finally, coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing it on to ensure it sticks. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken pieces.

Once all the chicken pieces are breaded, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. 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's golden brown and crispy.

After the chicken is cooked, it's time to add the 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 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.

Finally, serve the chicken with your choice of sides. Some popular options include pasta, steamed vegetables, salad, or garlic bread. Enjoy!

Melting the cheese

To melt the cheese, simply add the shredded mozzarella to the top of the chicken and place it back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. You can also add some extra grated parmesan on top of the mozzarella if you like.

The air fryer will melt the cheese and give it a golden, crispy finish. This final step should only take a few minutes, so keep an eye on the air fryer to avoid overcooking or burning the cheese.

Once the cheese is melted, your chicken parm is ready to be served. You can serve it with pasta, salad, or garlic bread on the side. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions