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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a modern twist on a classic comfort food. Tender chicken cutlets are pounded thin, coated in a crunchy panko-Parmesan crust, and air-fried until golden and crisp. Topped with marinara, gooey mozzarella, and fresh basil, it’s a delicious, lighter way to enjoy this Italian favorite—no oven or deep frying required.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 690 kcal

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Mixing bowls (3 shallow)
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Meat mallet
  • Parchment paper
  • Grater

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 2 cups panko
  • 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 3 tbsp olive oil plus more for brushing
  • 2 8- oz boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and halved laterally into cutlets
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup marinara sauce divided
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves roughly chopped, divided, plus more for topping
  • 6 oz low-moisture mozzarella cheese not fresh, coarsely grated

Instructions
 

  • In separate shallow bowls: add flour to one; beat eggs, garlic, 2 tbsp water, and 3/4 tsp salt in another; and in the third, mix panko with 1/3 cup Parmesan and toss with olive oil.
  • Pound chicken cutlets to even thickness. Toss with lemon juice. Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip in egg mixture, then press into panko mix to coat.
  • Preheat air fryer to 360°F. Brush basket with oil. Air-fry 2 cutlets at a time for 6 minutes, flip, then cook for 7–9 more minutes until golden and internal temp hits 165°F.
  • Top cooked cutlets with 4 tbsp marinara, 1 tbsp basil, mozzarella, and remaining Parmesan. Increase fryer temp to 400°F. Cook 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Repeat for remaining cutlets. Garnish with additional fresh basil before serving.

Notes

  • Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid watery toppings.
  • Pound chicken evenly to ensure even cooking and crisping.
  • Don’t skip the lemon juice—it adds brightness and tenderizes the chicken.
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure crisp texture.
  • Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for best results, not the microwave.
Keyword air fryer chicken parmesan, air fryer Italian recipes, chicken with marinara, comfort food, crispy chicken cutlets, easy chicken dinner, fast weeknight meals, healthy chicken parmesan, mozzarella chicken, panko chicken