The crispy, cheesy, and utterly delightful experience of chicken parmesan gets a modern twist with this **Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe**. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights when you want dinner fast but still crave something comforting and homemade.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m honestly smitten with how this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe turns out every single time. It’s crispy without drowning in oil, cheesy without being greasy, and juicy inside thanks to that quick air fryer magic. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick!
- Time-Saving: Air frying shaves off the long cook time, so dinner’s on the table quicker than you might expect.
- Perfect Crisp: You get that golden, crunchy coating without deep frying or messing with oil splatters.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry or fridge already, which makes this a no-brainer.
- Customizable: Easy to adjust the seasoning, cheese, or sauce based on what you like best—plus a foolproof way to get it right every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here come together beautifully: the parmesan adds a salty punch right in the crust, panko keeps it light and crispy, and the mozzarella melts perfectly for that gooey topping you look forward to. Also, the chicken breast is easy to flatten thin so it cooks evenly and stays tender.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless skinless breasts are ideal for pounding thin, which ensures quick and even cooking in the air fryer.
- Shredded Parmesan: Adds sharp, savory flavor right in the breadcrumb coating.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are extra crunchy and airy—perfect for an irresistible crust.
- Eggs: They help the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken and create that crisp outer layer.
- Marinara Sauce: I like a good jarred sauce or homemade, whichever you prefer—it’s the classic tomato base for that cozy flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully on top, offering that gooey, stringy texture everyone loves.
- Fresh Basil: A handful of fresh leaves is the finishing touch—freshness and a pop of color that makes each bite even better.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this recipe depending on what I have on hand or craving—for example, swapping out mozzarella for provolone gives a deeper flavor. You can easily switch up the herbs or spice level to make it your perfect comfort food.
- Variation: One time, I added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes in the breadcrumb mix to give it a little kick—absolutely delicious and adds a nice warmth.
- Dietary: For a gluten-free twist, I’ve successfully used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs with great results.
- Seasonal: Fresh basil is my go-to, but in winter I sometimes use dried oregano or a bit of thyme for an herby flair.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe
Step 1: Prep & Flatten the Chicken
First things first: slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner pieces. I like placing each between two sheets of plastic wrap to pound them evenly with a meat mallet or rolling pin. This not only tenderizes the meat but helps it cook super fast without drying out. Aim for about ½ inch thickness.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken
Set up a breading station with a bowl of beaten eggs and a plate with the parmesan mixed into the panko breadcrumbs. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then coat it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Don’t rush—make sure every edge is covered to get that crispy crust every time.
Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (around 180°C). I line the basket with foil for easy cleanup. Place the chicken pieces in the basket without overlapping. Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye out—they should be golden and crispy on the outside by this point.
Step 4: Add Sauce & Cheese, Then Melt
Once the chicken is nicely crisp, spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of each piece. Then sprinkle mozzarella on the sauce. Put it back in the air fryer and cook for another 4 minutes—or until the cheese melts and bubbles. The internal temperature should hit 165°F to be safe and juicy.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve
Carefully transfer the chicken parmesan to a serving plate and scatter fresh basil leaves on top. The aroma of basil warming up with the cheese will make you want to dig right in.
Top Tip
From my experience perfecting this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe, these tips help keep your chicken crispy on the outside and juicy inside without any sogginess:
- Even Thickness: Take your time pounding the chicken evenly. Uneven pieces can mean some dry, some undercooked chicken.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give each piece enough room in the air fryer basket. Crowding leads to steaming and soggy breading.
- Flip Once: Try to flip the chicken only once midway—not too many flips to maintain crust integrity.
- Use Fresh Cheese: Fresh shredded mozzarella melts more uniformly than pre-shredded, which sometimes contains anti-caking agents.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe
Garnishes
I always reach for fresh basil leaves because they add that bright herbaceous touch that balances the richness of cheese and sauce. Sometimes a sprinkle of extra parmesan or a crack of black pepper finishes it nicely too.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with simple pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic, roasted vegetables, or even a crisp green salad for a lighter meal. Mashed cauliflower is a great low-carb side that feels indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve layered several pieces in a casserole dish, sprinkled extra cheese on top, and broiled it just before serving for an irresistible, bubbly finish. It’s like a chicken parm bake but without all the fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. To avoid sogginess, I place a paper towel under the chicken to absorb any moisture. It reheats great without losing much crispness.
Freezing
Freezing works well if you layer parchment between pieces so they don’t stick. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to one month. When ready, thaw overnight and reheat in the air fryer to revive that crisp crust.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the crust crisp and cheese melty without drying out the chicken like a microwave might.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and tend to be juicier. Just adjust cooking times since thighs might need a minute or two longer in the air fryer.
No worries—there’s an oven method included. Bake the breaded chicken at 400°F and then broil to melt the cheese. It takes a bit longer but still delivers great results.
Use a meat thermometer if you have one—the internal temperature should read 165°F. Otherwise, the chicken should be golden brown and juices run clear when cut.
You can prep the breaded chicken ahead and keep it in the fridge for a few hours. Cook it fresh in the air fryer when you’re ready for the best texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe is a staple I keep coming back to. It’s comforting, approachable, and feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen. I promise once you try it, you’ll want to make it again—and maybe even keep the air fryer out just for this delicious recipe.
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Rezept Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a crispy, golden-brown coating on tender chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Easy to prepare and perfect for a quick dinner, the dish is garnished with fresh basil for a burst of flavor. It can also be adapted to oven cooking if preferred.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breast, boneless skinless
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil and preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half then place each piece between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin until thin.
- Set up Breading Station: On a plate, combine panko breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Cook Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through, to achieve a golden crust. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each piece, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes or until the cheese melts and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Use fresh basil for garnish to enhance the flavor and presentation.
- If you don't have an air fryer, use the oven method: bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then broil 2-3 minutes after adding sauce and cheese.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow air circulation for crisp coating.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is fully cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Leave a Reply