Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 36 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 large boneless chicken breasts, halved horizontally into 4 cutlets; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup (40 g) grated Parmesan; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; Neutral oil spray; 1 cup marinara sauce; 4 oz (115 g) mozzarella, sliced or shredded; Fresh basil, optional

Chicken Parmesan wants crunch under the cheese, not a soggy crust. Bread thin cutlets, crisp them in the basket, then add sauce and mozzarella only at the end so the coating stays loud. High protein comfort food that still feels weeknight-possible.

36 min total
375°F / 190°C
4 servings
20 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Thin cutlets first

Pound breasts to about 1/2 inch so they cook through before the crumbs burn. Thick pieces go dry on the outside while the center catches up.

Sauce at the end

A spoon of marinara and cheese in the last few minutes is enough. Flooding the cutlet early softens the breading.

Serve immediately

Parm waits poorly. Plate with pasta or a salad while the cheese is still stretchy.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Prep 20 min · Cook 16 min · Total 36 min · 4 servings

Air Fryer375°F / 190°C

Basket time16 min

Flip / shakeat 6 min

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. Two cutlets at a time keeps the crust crisp. Hold finished ones in a 200°F oven.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Bread

Pound the cutlets to about 1/2 inch. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
Mix panko, Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Dredge each cutlet in flour, then egg, then the crumb mix. Mist both sides with oil.
Chicken cutlets breaded for Parmesan

Cook and melt

Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Cook cutlets 6 minutes, flip and cook 4-5 minutes more until golden and nearly 165°F (74°C).
Spoon a little marinara on each cutlet, top with mozzarella and cook 2-3 minutes more until the cheese melts.
Chicken Parmesan with melted mozzarella in the air fryer
Rest 2 minutes. Finish with basil and extra warm marinara on the side.