Description
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a lighter, faster take on a classic Italian favorite, delivering a crunchy parmesan crust, marinara, and melty mozzarella without deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat or panko for extra crunch)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ cup marinara sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the coating: In one bowl, whisk the egg. In another, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the egg, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Air fry the chicken: Place the chicken in the basket (do not overcrowd) and cook for 10 minutes. Flip, then cook another 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
- Add sauce and cheese: Spoon marinara sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella. Return to the air fryer for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley. Pair with whole grain pasta, a salad, or roasted veggies for a complete meal!
Notes
- Nutrition may vary based on breading choice and cheese amounts.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit the breadcrumb crust entirely.
- Low-sodium marinara helps keep sodium in check.
- Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer for crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast half
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, air fryer chicken parm, healthy chicken parmesan, Italian chicken, crispy chicken parmesan, 5-step crunchy delish