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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with Marinara

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This crispy air fryer chicken parmesan with marinara is the perfect weeknight dinner—golden, crusty, and cheesy, ready in under 30 minutes. It delivers all the satisfaction of the classic without the mess and grease of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, plus more for serving
  • 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
  • Olive oil spray
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound with the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin until they’re about ½-inch thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Set up the breading station: In the first shallow bowl, mix the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second, beat the eggs with a tablespoon of water until frothy. In the third, combine the panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, and oregano.
  3. Bread the chicken: Working with one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip it into the egg wash, letting any extra drip off. Then press it firmly into the panko mixture, coating both sides. Place the breaded cutlets on a plate.
  4. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Spray and arrange: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the breaded chicken in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Spray the tops of the chicken generously with oil.
  6. Air fry the chicken: Cook at 375°F for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken carefully using tongs, spray the other side, and cook for another 2 minutes. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
  7. Add sauce and cheese: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of marinara onto each cutlet, spreading it evenly. Top with a generous handful of shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan. Return to the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Rest and serve: Let the chicken rest in the basket for 1-2 minutes before transferring to plates. Garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve with extra marinara on the side.

Notes

For extra-crunchy chicken, do a double dip: after the egg wash and panko, dip back into the egg and then the panko again. Don’t skip preheating the air fryer—a cold air fryer will give you soggy breading. Use low-moisture mozzarella; fresh mozzarella is too watery and will make the crust soggy. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make this in a convection oven at 400°F on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken parmesan, crispy chicken parmesan, easy chicken parmesan, air fryer chicken, chicken parmesan recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-parmesan-with-marinara-best-easy-recipe/