Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer
Makes: 4 | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 8 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced in half to make 4 thinner cutlets
2 tbsp. butter melted, or olive oil
¾ cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated
½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup marinara sauce
Looking for a healthier way to make chicken parmesan? Look no further! This Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer is everything you love about the original but healthier. The chicken is juicy, and the air fryer makes for a crispy outside. This is an easy weeknight dinner idea that the entire family will love.
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Also called Chicken Parmigiana, it is a classic Italian American chicken dish. The typical chicken parmesan features chicken breasts that are coated in breadcrumbs and may be quickly pan fried to create a little crunch. The breasts are then placed in a baking dish and topped with an ooey gooey cheese such as mozzarella, parmesan, or provolone and tomato sauce. Then baked until the cheese melts and the chicken is fully cooked.
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Chicken – The main ingredient! Skinless, boneless chicken breasts work the best for this recipe. I like to trim any visible fat off the sides prior to cooking it. The recipe calls for two large chicken breast which will then be butterflied and pounded down prior to cooking.
Breadcrumbs – I like to use Italian style breadcrumbs because they are already seasoned, instead of plain breadcrumbs.
Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan works best.
Butter – Or olive oil. This will give the chicken parmesan somewhat of a fried flavor without actually frying it. The butter or olive oil also allows the breadcrumb and parmesan cheese mixture to stick to the chicken.
Mozzarella Cheese – I’m a simple girl and buy the pre shredded mozzarella cheese. You can buy a block of mozzarella and grate it yourself or use provolone cheese if you prefer.
Marinara Sauce – I’m all for convivence when it comes to weeknight meals. I’m all for store-bought marinara sauce. Use your favorite!
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The traditional way to serve chicken parmesan is over spaghetti noodles with extra marinara. This is how I serve chicken parmesan in our house. However, there are many other options.
With a side of steamed vegetables
With a side salad
With Zoodles and extra marinara
As a sandwich on a toasted bun
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Original chicken parmesan is typically fried. which is how it gets that nice crispy outside to it. Deep-fried foods are generally higher in fat than foods that are prepared with other cooking methods. The benefits of air fryers is they require a significantly less amount of oil than deep frying.
DIRECTIONS
Carefully butterfly the two pieces of chicken by cutting in half widthwise to create 4 pieces of chicken. Using a meat pounder, gently pound the chicken into thin slices that are the same thickness. This will ensure they cook evenly.
In a small bowl melt the butter or add the olive oil and then in a separate large shallow bowl combine, the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Working with one piece of a chicken at a time, brush both sides of the chicken with butter or olive oil using a basting brush. Then move to the breadcrumb parmesan mixture, press the chicken into the mixture, making sure both sides are coated well.
Placing in a single layer and working in batches as necessary, add chicken to basket of air fryer and cook at 390° Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Do not overcrowd the air fryer!
Top each piece of chicken with 2 tbsp. of marinara sauce and 2 tbsp. shredded mozzarella and cook at 390° Fahrenheit until cheese is melty and golden, about 3 minutes and the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° Fahrenheit.
The sides that pair well with chicken parmesan are endless!
NUTRITION: Calories: 288kcal | Fat: 14g | Carbohydrates: 17g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Protein: 25g
Hi, I’m Rachel Simson, Registered Dietitian and owner of Buffalo Dietitian!
I’ve helped hundreds of individuals and women build better relationships with food and make nutrition feel doable again!
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