February 19, 2024

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless (skinless chicken thighs or breast cutlets); 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs; 1 cup crushed cracker crumbs; Paprika; Garlic powder; Dried thyme; Dried oregano; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs (beaten with 1 tablespoon water); 2 tablespoons melted butter; Salt and Pepper; 2 cups of your favorite pasta sauce; 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Here’s an Italian-American comfort food with a twist – Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. This quick and easy recipe promises all the flavors of the classic dish with a bonus of guilt-free indulgence.

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Here’s an Italian-American comfort food with a twist – Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. This quick and easy recipe promises all the flavors of the classic dish with a bonus of guilt-free indulgence.

This is one of my favorite Italian dinners, so I had to figure out a way to make it figure-friendly. Luckily, it was a straightforward proposition! Instead of deep drying the breaded chicken cutlets, we’ll use a mix of Panko breadcrumbs and cracker crumbs to increase the crunch factor, and an air fryer to get the brown and crunchy crust that any self-respecting chicken parm should have. You get all the satisfying “fried” factor, with none of the fried!

In the world of quick and delicious meals, the air fryer has emerged as a game-changer. Its ability to deliver crispy, golden perfection with significantly less oil has made it a kitchen essential. The magic of the air fryer lies in its ability to create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and flavorful. In the case of Chicken Parmesan, the air fryer delivers that perfect balance, giving you a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version.

In just a few simple steps, you can elevate a classic dish to new heights of flavor and texture. So, dust off that air fryer, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious experience. Buon appetito!

(Serves 4)

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast cutlets
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 cup crushed cracker crumbs
Paprika
Garlic powder
Dried thyme
Dried oregano
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons melted butter
Salt and Pepper
2 cups of your favorite pasta sauce
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Place each piece of chicken into a gallon sized ziptop bag and gently pound it with a meat mallet or a rolling pin until it’s 1/2″ in thickness and evenly flat. Repeat with the rest of the chicken.

Prepare your breading station. You will need 3 vessels for your breading items, one for the flour, one for the egg/water mixture, and one for your panko/cracker crumb mixture. Season the flour, egg and breadcrumb mixture with your spices according to your taste, and add 1/4 cup of grated parmigiano into the panko. Add the melted butter to the breadcrumbs and mix with your fingers to combine.

Now you’re ready to bread! First, coat each piece of chicken with a thin layer of the seasoned flour. Next, dip into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken breast with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.

Now it’s time to get our crunchification on! Airfry the chicken at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the chicken is done, pour 1 cup of your favorite pasta sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Lay your chicken cutlets in a flat layer, and top each with 1/4 cup of pasta sauce. Spread the sauce out evenly to coat. Sprinkle a 1/4 cup of mozzarella on each chicken cutlet, and sprinkle everything with the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmigiano. If you’d like, sprinkle some dried parsley (or basil, or Italian seasoning) on top.

Bake these beauties at 375 F for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is gooey and melted and DELISH! Serve alongside some pasta, some crusty garlic bread, or even just a salad! Try my unfried technique on eggplant, pork cutlets, and more! You’ll wonder why you ever bothered to fry at all.

Serve your Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan over a bed of spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and don’t forget to spoon some extra marinara sauce on top. Pair it with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded, satisfying meal.

Check out these pasta recipes from Delish D’Lites!