Air-Fried Parmesan Chicken: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken Parmesan is a classic comfort food that can be made healthier by using an air fryer. This method of cooking allows you to achieve the same golden, crispy texture without the need for deep frying in oil. The air fryer's convection oven-like functionality and perforated rack create the fried effect with minimal oil and less mess.

To make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, you'll need boneless and skinless chicken breasts, which you'll cut in half lengthwise to create thin cutlets. You'll then coat the chicken in a breading mixture, typically consisting of flour, egg, and a combination of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. The chicken is then placed in the air fryer basket and cooked until golden. Finally, you'll add toppings such as marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh herbs like basil or parsley.

The result is a delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken dish that your family will love, served with a side of pasta, salad, or garlic bread.

Preparing the chicken

Step 1: Cut and Pound the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces. This will help the chicken cook more quickly and evenly. Place each piece of chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness. This step is important to ensure the chicken cooks uniformly.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Generously season the chicken pieces on both sides with salt and pepper. This step enhances the flavor of the chicken and is essential for a well-seasoned dish. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or Italian seasoning for an extra boost of flavor.

Step 3: Prepare the Dredging Station

Set up three shallow bowls for the dredging process. In the first bowl, add flour and season it with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat eggs. The eggs will act as a binder for the breading. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and any additional seasonings you wish to add (such as oregano, red pepper flakes, or garlic powder).

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Now, it's time to coat the chicken. Work with one piece at a time. First, coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure the breading adheres well. Repeat this process until all pieces of chicken are coated.

Step 5: Spray the Chicken

Lightly spray the coated chicken pieces with cooking spray or oil spray. This step will give the chicken a delicious golden-brown color and help it crisp up in the air fryer.

Step 6: Arrange in the Air Fryer

Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Now your chicken is ready for the air fryer! Follow the cooking instructions for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, and you'll have a delicious, crispy, and juicy dish to enjoy.

Making the coating

To make the coating for your parmesan chicken, you'll need breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and eggs. Some recipes also suggest adding Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes to the mix for extra flavour.

First, prepare your dredging station by adding flour (seasoned with salt and pepper) to a bowl, then beat eggs in a second bowl, and combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, and any additional seasonings in a third bowl.

Now, working with one piece of chicken at a time, coat the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into the eggs, letting the excess drip off, then finally dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure both sides of the chicken are well coated. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of chicken.

Some recipes suggest spraying the breaded chicken with cooking spray at this point, to help the chicken achieve a golden-brown colour when cooked.

Cooking the chicken

Now that you've prepared your chicken, it's time to cook it!

First, preheat your air fryer to 350–400°F for about 3 minutes.

Next, you'll want to dip each piece of chicken in flour, shaking off any excess, before dipping it in egg, and finally coating it in the panko, Parmesan, and seasoning mixture. Make sure to get an even coating all over the chicken.

Once your chicken is coated, place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces aren't touching. 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 golden brown. Then, flip the chicken and add your marinara sauce and mozzarella. Cook for another 2–4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.

Your chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan!

Adding toppings

Once your chicken is cooked, it's time to add toppings. For a classic Chicken Parmesan, you'll want to add tomato sauce and cheese. You can use your favourite store-bought pasta sauce or make your own homemade marinara sauce. For the cheese, shredded mozzarella is a popular choice as it melts well and has a stretchy texture. You can also add some extra Parmesan cheese on top for a sharper flavour.

Simply spoon the marinara sauce onto the cooked chicken, then add your cheeses. Put the chicken back in the air fryer for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

You can also add some fresh herbs like basil or parsley to garnish before serving.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer chicken parmesan. Here are some suggestions:

• On its own with a couple of simple side dishes.
• On top of pasta, such as spaghetti, angel hair, fettuccine, or penne.
• With garlic bread, either on the side or as a base.
• With cacio e Pepe Brussels sprouts.
• With garlic mashed potatoes.
• With a simple side salad.
• With buttered noodles.
• With freshly toasted bread.
• With roasted green beans.

Frequently asked questions