Air-Fried Chicken Parm: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that consists of saucy, cheesy, breaded chicken breasts. It is easy to make at home, and even easier if you have an air fryer. The air fryer delivers super-crispy, Parmesan-crusted chicken cutlets with no frying, very little mess, and in a fraction of the time as stovetop and conventional oven versions. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious dish.

How to bread the chicken

To bread the chicken, you'll need to set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add some flour and season it with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat a couple of eggs. In the third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. You can add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to taste.

Now, take each piece of chicken and coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring that every surface is covered. Finally, dip the chicken into the panko mixture, gently pressing to ensure both sides are well-coated. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are breaded.

How to cook the chicken

To cook the chicken for chicken parm in the air fryer, start by slicing your chicken breasts in half lengthwise. You can also opt to butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting them in half widthwise to create thin pieces of chicken. This will make your chicken extra crispy.

Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add Italian seasoning mix. Pound the chicken into thin slices to ensure they cook evenly.

Set up three shallow bowls for dredging. In the first bowl, place flour and season with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk some eggs. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. You can also add Italian seasoning to the third bowl.

Now, it's time to dredge the chicken. First, dip the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it's well coated. Repeat this process for each piece 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 to avoid overcrowding.

Cook the chicken at 350-400°F for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until it's golden brown. Then, flip the chicken and add your marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.

Your chicken parm is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favorite pasta or a fresh salad on the side.

How to melt the cheese

To melt the cheese for your chicken parm in the air fryer, you'll want to follow these steps:

Firstly, it's important to note that you should not put cheese directly into your air fryer, as it will melt before it crisps, creating a mess. To avoid this, place your cheese-topped chicken in the air fryer and cook until the cheese is melted and golden, which should take around 3-4 minutes.

If you're making grilled cheese sandwiches in the air fryer, you can follow a similar process. Start by preheating your air fryer to 370°F for 3-5 minutes. Then, place your sandwiches in the air fryer basket and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove any toothpicks, carefully flip the sandwiches, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.

If you're having trouble with the cheese melting properly or staying on your food, there are a few tricks you can try. First, try preheating your air fryer on its hottest setting for 3-4 minutes, then let your food sit in the hot basket for a minute or two to allow the cheese to start melting and adhering to the food. You can also use toothpicks to hold the cheese in place or switch to a "bake" setting if your air fryer has one. Additionally, lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper can make cleanup easier if your cheese does melt and drip.

How to store leftovers

To store your chicken parm leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Your leftovers should last up to two to four days. If you want to keep your leftovers for longer, you can freeze them in a covered airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.

When reheating your chicken parm, you can use the microwave, but the breading will not be as crispy. A better option is to use the oven and reheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also reheat your leftovers in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to serve with chicken parm

Chicken Parmesan is a flavourful and comforting dish, and there are plenty of sides to serve with it. Here are some ideas to complement your chicken parm:

Pasta

A classic pairing with chicken parm, pasta is a great way to take advantage of all that delicious marinara sauce. From spaghetti to fettuccine, angel hair to penne, any pasta shape works. You could toss it with garlic butter or a simple olive oil and herb dressing.

Salad

A crisp, refreshing salad can balance the richness of the chicken parm. A simple green salad or a classic Caesar salad are good options. For something more adventurous, try a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil, or an Italian chopped salad with salami, mozzarella, and chickpeas.

Bread

Warm, crusty bread is a perfect side to mop up that sauce. A simple French baguette or some homemade garlic bread are great options. For something more elaborate, try an antipasto platter with cured meats, cheeses, and roasted red peppers.

Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a great side, especially in autumn. Try roasted root veggies, brussels sprouts, or green beans. For a healthier option, you could also serve sautéed spinach or zucchini noodles.

Potatoes

Buttery mashed potatoes are a comforting side, and they go well with chicken parm. For extra flavour, try garlic mashed potatoes or maple-glazed carrots.

Rice

Brown rice is a good gluten-free alternative to pasta, and it pairs nicely with chicken parm. For something more flavourful, try garlic rice or spinach rice.

There are plenty of options to choose from to create a delicious, well-rounded meal with chicken parm as the star!

Frequently asked questions