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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

My ultimate 'cheat code' for a full Italian Sunday dinner on a random Tuesday. This version is golden, crunchy, and cheesy, but uses 90% less oil than the traditional deep-fried classic. Ready in just 25 minutes with almost zero cleanup!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 395
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

THE CHICKEN
  • 2 large chicken breasts Sliced horizontally into 4 thin cutlets and pounded to 1/2-inch thickness.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
THE BREADING STATION
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs Beaten.
  • 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs The secret to the 'shattering' crunch.
  • 0.5 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese Grated; mixed into the breadcrumbs.
THE TOPPINGS
  • 1 cup marinara sauce Use room temperature sauce so it doesn't cool the chicken.
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese Shredded or fresh slices.
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil Chopped for garnish.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Meat Mallet
  • Three Shallow Bowls

Method
 

  1. Pound the chicken cutlets to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Set up your station: Bowl 1 (flour), Bowl 2 (beaten eggs), Bowl 3 (mix of both breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and garlic powder).
  3. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, and press firmly into the breadcrumb mix. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  4. Spritz generously with oil spray. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through and spritzing again.
  5. Spoon marinara over the chicken and top with mozzarella. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling with golden spots.
  6. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving. For your photos, capture a 'Single Bite' on a fork to show off the juicy meat under that crispy crust!

Notes

Sofia's Real Tips: 1. Always use a mix of Panko and regular breadcrumbs for the best texture. 2. Spray the chicken with oil twice (before and halfway) to avoid floury spots. 3. Zero-waste hack: Use leftover breading to make a small fried patty—it's the 'chef's snack.' 4. Never reheat in the microwave; use the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to keep it crispy.