Chicken dipped in a coating of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs is cooked in the air fryer until done, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then cooked again until the cheese is melted. ThisAir Fryer Chicken Parmesanis an easy spin on a classic recipe that you are sure to love!

crispy air fried chicken parmesan with red sauce and melted mozzarella in an air fryer basket.

Chicken Parmesan has always been one of my favorite comfort foods. Paired with pasta and a salad, this recipe makes for a great meal on busy weekdays. I always use my air fryer to make side dishes and sometimes forget that I can use it to whip up a main dish as well. It works just as well, if not better than, the oven!

The chicken comes out tender and juicy every time, with a crispy coating of breadcrumbs and topped off with sauce and, of course, cheese! I love the simplicity of this recipe. You only need a few ingredients that you should already have on hand, and each step is simple and easy to follow. Chicken parmesan is a dinner that I make on a frequent basis because it is always a big hit with everyone.

crispy air fried chicken parmesan with red sauce and melted mozzarella on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s extremely easy to make.
The golden brown breading helps keep the chicken tender and juicy.
The air fryer cooks this chicken to perfection in less time than it takes in the oven.
It is topped with a delicious combination of rich marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each raw ingredient to make air fried chicken parmesan recipe.

Chicken Breasts—Sliced in half horizontally.
Flour—Creates a base for the eggs to stick to the chicken.
Eggs—To help the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken.
Italian Panko Breadcrumbs—Can be replaced with a combination of regular breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning.
Marinara Sauce—For a rich texture and deep flavor to the dish. Feel free to use your favorite brand of sauce.
Fresh Mozzarella—This cheese adds a gooey texture and savory taste to the chicken.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

raw chicken breast with ingredients to be breaded and the progress of chicken parm recipe.

Step #1.Dip each slice of chicken in the flour and set aside.

Step #2.Beat your eggs in a shallow baking dish. Dip your flour-coated chicken in the eggs, followed by the breadcrumbs.

crispy air fried chicken tenders in a black air fryer basket.

Step #3.Cook the chicken in the air fryer until it is thoroughly cooked, flipping halfway through.

Step #4.Once the chicken is done cooking, top each piece with marinara sauce and one slice of mozzarella, then cook again until the cheese is melted.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to flatten the chicken breasts for Chicken Parmesan?

Depending on the size of your chicken, it might not be necessary. Slicing the chicken breasts in half will help them become thinner, but if there are any thick or uneven spots it would be good to flatten them before dipping them. You can place the piece of chicken in a ziploc bag and either use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or cooking pot to thin it out and make the piece more even. This will allow the chicken to cook quicker and more evenly in the air fryer.

How do I get the bread crumbs to stick to the chicken?

The way the bread crumbs stick relies heavily on how you dip the chicken. Using the flour to coat your chicken before dipping it in the eggs will help the egg adhere better, which will in turn help the bread crumbs stay secure. Be sure to not skip any step, especially dipping the chicken in flour first! If you feel there are bare spots after you have done this process, you can dip the chicken back in the eggs and then the bread crumbs one more time to ensure it is fully coated.

How To Store Your Leftover Chicken Parm

If you have any leftover chicken parm then it can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. We like to store our leftovers in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Reheat your chicken parm in the microwave for about one minute, or until the chicken is warm in the middle.

Expert Tips

Slicing the chicken in half will help it cook fastersince it will be thinner. If you don’t slice it in half, the outside will finish cooking much faster than the middle of the chicken.
If you don’t have Italian breadcrumbs,you can use regular Panko breadcrumbswith one tablespoon of Italian seasoning mixed in.
Ensure the chicken reaches aninternal temperature of 165°F for safety.
If you can’t find fresh mozzarella,you can use shredded mozzarellain a pinch.
You can use any kind of marinara sauce in this recipe! I typically use garlic and basil red sauce, but anything will work. This is an easy way to customize the flavor of your chicken parmesan and play around with the flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken parmesan pairs well with a variety of side dishes.Easy bread stickswould taste delicious. I would also consider serving air fryer chicken parm with a side salad,roasted vegetablesor a pasta dish like my recipe forpasta with pesto.