Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Crispy breaded chicken with marinara and melted mozzarella.
Before You Start
All the comfort of chicken parm with none of the deep frying. The air fryer crisps a panko and parmesan crust, then a quick blast melts the mozzarella on top. Serve it over pasta or a simple salad for a proper main meal in under half an hour.
Instructions
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Butterfly the chicken breasts so they're an even thickness, then season with salt, pepper and the garlic powder.
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Set up three bowls: flour, beaten egg, and panko mixed with the parmesan. Coat each piece flour, then egg, then crumb, pressing it on.
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Spray the basket and the chicken with oil. Air fry at 190°C / 375°F for 6 minutes, flip, then cook 5 more until crisp and cooked through.
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Spoon marinara over each piece and top with the mozzarella.
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Air fry for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the cheese melts and bubbles.
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Rest for a couple of minutes and serve over pasta or salad.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Butterfly or gently pound the chicken to an even thickness so it crisps outside and cooks through inside.
- Spray the crumb well with oil. Dry crumb stays pale, oiled crumb turns golden.
🔀 Make it your own
- Use chicken thighs, or breaded eggplant slices for a vegetarian parmigiana.
- Add a pinch of chilli flakes to the crumb for a little heat.
📦 Storing & reheating
Keeps 2 days airtight in the fridge. Re-crisp at 190°C for 4 minutes rather than microwaving.
❓ Frequently asked
How do I know the chicken is cooked?
It should reach 74°C / 165°F in the middle and the juices run clear. Butterflied breasts cook fast, so check early.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs?
Panko crisps best in the air fryer. With regular crumbs, spray a little extra oil and expect a softer crust.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.