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
Scale
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
