Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a crispy, cheesy Italian-American classic made lighter in the air fryer. Juicy chicken cutlets are coated in Parmesan breadcrumbs, cooked until golden, then topped with marinara and mozzarella. You can also bake it in the oven for the same comforting flavor.
This Parmesan crusted chicken gives you all the cheesy, saucy, crispy comfort of the Italian-American classic, without the mess of frying. Juicy chicken cutlets are coated in a Parmesan-breadcrumb crust, air-fried until golden, then topped with marinara and melty mozzarella.
And for those without an air fryer, I've included full oven instructions as well, so you can make it whichever way works best for you.
Quick look at the recipe
- Ready in: 45 minutes
- Ingredients: 11 simple staples
- Serves: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
- Make-ahead friendly: Yes
Jump to:
- Quick look at the recipe
- Why you'll love this recipe (and make it again and again)
- Ingredient notes and smart swaps
- Fun twists and tasty variations
- How to make the best air fryer parmesan crusted chicken
- What to serve with parmesan crusted chicken
- Shortcut to supper (time-saving tips)
- Storing and reheating (keep it fresh!)
- Supper and then some (reimagining leftovers)
- Make it ahead (plan and prep tips)
- Recipe FAQs
- Tips to ensure this recipe turns out perfectly
- More easy main dish chicken recipes you'll love
- Final thoughts
- Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Why you'll love this recipe (and make it again and again)
- Crispy vs juicy balance - Air frying locks in moisture while creating a golden parmesan crust.
- Healthier than fried - Like my Air Fryer Pulled Pork and Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters, you get all the crunch with just a fraction of the oil.
- Flexible methods - Choose air fryer or oven, depending on what you have.
- Family-friendly comfort food - This is the kind of dinner that makes everyone happy.
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly - Bread chicken in advance or freeze uncooked cutlets for later.
Ingredient notes and smart swaps
Let's talk ingredients: what you need, what you can swap, and how to make it work with what's in your pantry. These are the main ingredients; the complete list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Chicken breasts - Boneless, skinless, sliced into thin cutlets. Tip: pounding them to ¼-½ inch thickness ensures even cooking. Try chicken thighs for a juicier variation.
- Flour - Helps the coating stick. Sub with gluten-free flour or cornstarch for a gluten-free chicken parmesan.
- Eggs - Traditional binder. For egg-free, try aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas).
- Breadcrumbs - Italian breadcrumbs give flavor; panko makes it extra crispy. Use seasoned almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low carb air fryer chicken parm.
- Parmesan cheese - Adds salty savoriness. Pecorino Romano or Asiago make great swaps.
- Garlic and onion powder - Boost flavor without fuss.
- Marinara sauce - Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade marinara for a flavor upgrade.
- Mozzarella cheese - Low-moisture mozzarella melts well, while fresh mozzarella gives gooey indulgence. Blend with provolone or fontina for variety.
- Oil spray - Helps crisp the breading. Olive oil spray works beautifully.
Fun twists and tasty variations
- Gluten-free - Use GF breadcrumbs or almond flour.
- Low-carb / keto - Pork rinds and Parmesan make a crunchy, carb-free crust.
- Spicy - Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to your breading mix.
- Chicken parm sandwiches - Layer cutlets on toasted hoagie rolls with sauce and cheese.
- Chicken parmesan bites - Make with chicken tenders for a kid-friendly snack.
How to make the best air fryer parmesan crusted chicken
- Prep the chicken - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Season cutlets with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Set up a breading station - Flour in one bowl. Eggs whisked with garlic and onion powder in another. Breadcrumbs and Parmesan in the third.
- Bread the chicken - Dredge in flour, dip in egg wash, then press into the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate.
- Air fry - Spray both sides with oil; place in the basket in a single layer. Cook 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 165°F inside.
- Sauce and cheese - Spoon marinara over chicken, top with mozzarella, then air fry 5 minutes more until melted.
- Rest and serve - Let cutlets rest 2-3 minutes so juices redistribute. Serve immediately.
Oven method: Bake breaded chicken at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, add sauce and cheese, then bake 5 minutes more.
Air fryer vs. oven: The air fryer yields crispier results in less time, while the oven method is ideal for cooking larger batches.
What to serve with parmesan crusted chicken
- Classic: spaghetti or fettuccine with extra marinara
- Honey Butter Biscuits and Spicy Coleslaw
- Roasted veggies, or my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Keep it simple for dessert with my Bread Pudding
Shortcut to supper (time-saving tips)
- Buy thin-sliced chicken to skip pounding.
- Use pre-shredded mozzarella and jarred marinara.
- Bread chicken earlier in the day and refrigerate.
- Line your basket with perforated parchment for quick cleanup.
Storing and reheating (keep it fresh!)
- Fridge: 3 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer (uncooked): Breaded cutlets freeze up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
- Reheating: For best crispness, reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crunch.
Supper and then some (reimagining leftovers)
- Make a chicken parmesan sandwich for lunch.
- Dice over Caesar pasta salad for a protein boost.
- Stir into baked pasta or lasagna for a "new" dinner.
Make it ahead (plan and prep tips)
- Bread chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
- Freeze uncooked cutlets for meal prep.
- Add sauce and cheese only when ready to cook.
Recipe FAQs
18-22 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway. Then 5 minutes more after adding the sauce and cheese.
The air fryer produces crispier breading in less time, while the oven is better for larger batches or if you don't own an air fryer.
Always preheat, avoid overcrowding, and spray lightly with oil before cooking.
Yes! Use GF flour and breadcrumbs, or almond flour and pork rinds for a low-carb option.
Breaded, uncooked cutlets freeze beautifully. Cook from frozen, just add a few minutes to the air fryer time.
Tips to ensure this recipe turns out perfectly
- Pound chicken evenly so it cooks uniformly.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F.
- Rest cutlets before serving for maximum juiciness.
- Don't skip the oil spray-it's the secret to golden crispness.
- For smaller air fryers, cook in batches to avoid sogginess.
More easy main dish chicken recipes you'll love
Final thoughts
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe proves that comfort food doesn't have to be fussy. Whether you're using an air fryer or oven, you'll end up with crispy, cheesy chicken that's perfect for pasta night or tucked into sandwiches. With gluten-free and low-carb options, freezer tips, and plenty of make-ahead flexibility, it's a dinner worth bookmarking.
Tried it? Please rate it, and drop a comment. Share your favorite twist; did you go classic with spaghetti, or pile yours on a toasted roll for a chicken parm sub?
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Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally, and pounded to an even thickness, if needed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs, can substitute panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping
- 1 cup marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- oil or cooking spray for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and then season each piece of chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Set up your breading station. Place flour in one bowl. In another bowl, add the beaten eggs and mix it with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan.
- Working with 1 chicken breast at a time, dredge it in flour, then dip it in the egg wash, and then press it into the breadcrumb mixture so that it sticks. Place the breaded chicken on a plate or shallow dish and repeat this process with the rest of the chicken pieces.
- Lightly spray or brush the tops of the breaded chicken with oil and then place the chicken in an air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding or overlapping them.
- Air fry the chicken for 18-22 minutes, gently flipping them using tongs halfway through. Your chicken should turn golden brown and reach an internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
- Open the air fryer basket and spoon marinara sauce over the chicken breasts, and then top them evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- Return the basket to the air fryer and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Let the chicken rest another 2-3 minutes before serving them over spaghetti noodles or with a green salad and a side of homemade marinara sauce or tomato sauce.
Notes
- Pound chicken evenly so it cooks uniformly.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the cutlets rest for a few minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
- Don't skip the oil spray, it's the secret to golden crispness.
- For smaller air fryers, cook in batches to avoid sogginess.
Nutrition
Practical Southern Cooking is all about Southern comfort with a side of simplicity. Here you'll find easy Southern recipes designed for busy retirees and smaller households, made with pantry staples, approachable techniques, and plenty of comfort.
From classic favorites to modern twists, every recipe is created to help you stretch one meal into two while keeping the cooking stress-free. Pull up a chair, because Southern comfort food is always better when it's shared.
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