Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
This crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a healthier twist on the classic. Golden, juicy chicken topped with marinara and melty cheese—ready in under 20 minutes with no mess! Perfect for meal prep or a quick family dinner.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
If there’s one dinner that’s always a guaranteed win in my house, it’s Chicken Parmesan. It checks every box—crispy, cheesy, saucy, and comforting. But traditional chicken parm usually involves pan-frying in oil, heavy breading, and a whole lot of mess. That’s where this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan comes in and totally changes the game.
This version is crispy, juicy, and still packed with that classic Italian flavor—but it’s lighter, faster, and so much easier. We’re skipping the deep fry, using just a light breading and a few spritzes of olive oil, and letting the air fryer do all the work. Trust me—once you try it this way, there’s no going back.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Crispy and golden without deep-frying
High in protein and lower in calories
30-minute total time including prep
Family-friendly (even my picky eaters ask for seconds)
Perfect for meal prep—it reheats beautifully
Gluten-free adaptable and customizable
Whether you’re serving it over pasta, in a sandwich, or on a salad, this is a go-to dinner that’s equal parts comfort food and healthy-ish weeknight magic.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this chicken parm magic happen:
Chicken breasts: I use 2 large breasts and slice them in half horizontally to make 4 cutlets. You want even thickness for even cooking.
Breadcrumbs + parmesan: I like gluten-free panko-style crumbs or crushed rice crackers. Mix with grated parm for that classic flavor and crunch.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Egg: Helps the coating stick.
Marinara sauce: Go for a low-sugar, clean ingredient marinara or homemade if you have it!
Mozzarella cheese: A little goes a long way—get that ooey gooey pull with just 2 tbsp per piece.
Olive oil spray: For crisping without frying.
Why I Love This Recipe (And Why I Think You Will Too)
I’m always trying to find that balance between comfort food and meals that support how I want to feel. This chicken parm totally delivers. It’s nostalgic, satisfying, and feels like a treat—but it’s made with better-for-you ingredients and doesn’t derail your goals.
The first time I made this, my husband asked what I fried it in because it was so crispy. When I told him it was the air fryer and just a little olive oil spray? Instant believer.
It’s also one of those recipes I feel good serving to my kids—they love the crispy chicken and gooey cheese, and I love that it’s packed with protein and skips the heavy oils.
Healthy Caesar Dressing
Yields: ~1 cup
Servings: 8 (about 2 tbsp each)
Calories: ~60 per serving
Protein: 3g
Ingredients:
•1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk for creaminess)
•2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
•1 tbsp olive oil
•2 tsp Dijon mustard
•1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
•1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
•1–2 garlic cloves, minced
•Salt + cracked black pepper to taste
•Optional: 1–2 anchovy fillets or 1/2 tsp anchovy paste (for traditional Caesar flavor)
Instructions:
1.In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
2.Taste and adjust: add more lemon for brightness, Parmesan for saltiness, or olive oil for richness.
3.Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tip:
For a thinner dressing (great for drizzling), add 1–2 tbsp of water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Tips:
Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken evenly for quicker cooking.
For extra crunch, add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast or crushed cornflakes to the breading mix.
Make it low carb by using almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs.
Whether you’re making this for a busy weeknight or prepping ahead for lunches, Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is one of those recipes that feels indulgent but totally fits into a healthy routine. It’s crunchy, saucy, cheesy, and satisfying—and best of all, it’s done in under 20 minutes.
Let me know in the comments or on Instagram if you try it—I love seeing your versions! And if you’re looking for more high-protein air fryer dinners, I’ve got a bunch you’ll love.
Air Fryer Chicken Parm Over Ceasar Salad
Equipment
- air fryer or in the oven on the convection setting at 425℉
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- Olive oil spray
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- Fresh basil or parsley optional, for garnish
Let's Make It
- Prep the chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 cutlets. Pat dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up breading station: In one bowl, beat the egg. In another, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the chicken: Dip each piece into the egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
- Air fry: Spray air fryer basket with olive oil. Place chicken in a single layer and spray the tops with olive oil.
- Air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes, flip, and air fry for another 4–6 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Add sauce + cheese: Spoon 2 tbsp marinara on each piece and top with mozzarella.
- Return to air fryer for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- I also like to add the sauce into a small pan, top with mozzarella and place in the oven till cheese is browned and bubbly. I will then pour the sauce right over the chicken.
- Serve with fresh basil, over pasta, zucchini noodles, or a Caesar side salad (check out my high protein caesar dressing above).
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (Per Serving | Serves 4) without the salad or noodles
Calories: 320
Protein: 37g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
