Textual Chef

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Breaded chicken cutlets cooked in the air fryer for a deeply golden crust, then topped with marinara and melted mozzarella — all without heating up the oven or deep-frying.

45 minMediumServes 4540 cal/serving

Italian-AmericanDinnerAir FryerHigh Protein

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • as needed cooking spray
  • 1.5 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Place 2 halved horizontally boneless, skinless chicken breasts cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning.

  3. 3

    Set up a breading station: one shallow dish with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, one with 2 beaten large eggs, and one with a mix of 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip in egg, then press firmly into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture.

  4. 4

    Place breaded cutlets in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray both sides generously with cooking spray. Air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for another 5-6 minutes until golden and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

  5. 5

    Open the air fryer and spoon 1.5 cups marinara sauce over each cutlet. Top evenly with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

  6. 6

    Close the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 2-3 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  7. 7

    Serve immediately, garnished with 2 tbsp torn fresh basil leaves.

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