This easy, weeknight-friendly air fryer chicken parmesan is speedy, cheesy, and delicious. Your family will love this lighter twist on the classic Italian-inspired chicken dish. Layer crispy chicken with savory marinara sauce and mozzarella, and cook it quickly in the air fryer instead of heating the oven!
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
This past weekend, we made chicken parmesan for dinner, and since only three of us were eating, I used the air fryer. The results were great, and no complaints from my husband, so that means he approved! If you love your air fryer as much as me, you might also want to try some of my other air fryer chicken recipes, like crispy air fryer chicken tenders, easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, and this Chicken Cordon Bleu that you can bake in the oven or air fryer.
Why Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Will Always Be a Favorite
I love air fryer recipes so much I have two air fryer cookbooks: The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook and my second book, Skinnytaste Air Fryer Dinners, which has 75 dinner recipes made in the air fryer. Cheesy air fryer chicken parmesan is one of my favorites!
- Crispy without frying. I brush the chicken with melted butter (or oil) instead of using raw egg before coating it with breadcrumbs to give it that “fried” taste without frying.
- Quicker than baking. The air fryer calls for very little preheating and this chicken parmesan cooks up in just 15 minutes.
- Family-friendly. Air fryer chicken parmesan is great for busy weeknight dinners. The whole family loves it and I can serve it with everything from garlic bread to veggies or a salad.
Looking for another nearly hands-free way to cook chicken parm? Try my Instant Pot chicken parmesan, too.
Only 6 Ingredients
These are the classic chicken parmesan ingredients needed for this recipe. The only difference is that we’re cooking in the air fryer! Scroll to the recipe card for the exact recipe measurements.
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the traditional choice for chicken parmesan. Slice the chicken breasts lengthwise to make four smaller cutlets. You can also use chicken thighs or make chicken parmesan tenders.
- Breadcrumbs – Use gluten-free breadcrumbs as needed.
- Parmesan cheese – The second star ingredient! Freshly grated parmesan cheese will melt more smoothly and have better flavor than pre-grated parm.
- Butter – Melted, or you can use olive oil.
- Mozzarella cheese – I like to use reduced fat mozzarella, but any kind will do. Provolone is a good substitute in this recipe.
- Marinara sauce – This can be bottled or you can use my quick homemade marinara or tomato sauce.
How To Make Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer
Here’s the easy step-by-step. See the printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Make a breading station. Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl.
- Coat the chicken. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken. Then, dip each chicken piece into the breadcrumb mixture, dredging to coat all sides.
- Cook. Transfer the chicken to the air fryer. You may need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the chicken lightly with olive oil spray. Air fry at 360ºF for 5 minutes.
- Add the toppings. Flip, and top each chicken piece with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Cook for another 3 minutes to melt the cheese. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Tips For Success
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. It’s best to cook food in a single layer so the air circulates and browns your food. If it doesn’t fit, cook food in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket, preventing it from turning crisp.
- Flip halfway through cooking. In most cases, flipping your food over halfway is essential to evenly cooked and browned food on both sides, since the heating element is usually at the top. Smaller foods like French fries or vegetables, shaking the basket a few times rather than flipping, will get everything evenly browned and crisp.
How to Serve Chicken Parmesan
This air fryer chicken parmesan makes a quick and easy chicken parm sandwich during the week. Enjoy it inside a fluffy whole wheat bun or hoagie roll, like a hero, for a satisfying lunch. You can also try it in a chicken parmesan burger. Or, serve it over spaghetti or fresh tomato pasta for dinner.
Quick Side Dishes
While the chicken parmesan cooks, whip up one of these easy sides.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets
- 6 tablespoons seasoned breadcrumbs, whole wheat or gluten-free
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted (or olive oil)
- 6 tablespoons reduced fat mozzarella cheese, I used Polly-o
- 1/2 cup marinara
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl.
- Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture.
- When the air fryer is ready, transfer to the air fryer basket, in batches as needed and spray the top with oil.
- Air fryer 360F° 5 minutes, turn and top each with 2 tbsp sauce and 1 1/2 tbsp of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cook 3 more minutes or until cheese is melted.
