Description
Crispy chicken parmesan emerges as a lighter, healthier twist on classic Italian-American cuisine. Air fryer technology delivers golden-brown perfection while reducing excess oil, letting you savor each delectable bite with less guilt.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (6 oz / 170 g) chicken breasts, cut into cutlets
- 2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2–3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- olive oil cooking spray
- chopped basil
- chopped parsley
Instructions
- Dredging Preparation: Craft a two-bowl dredging station with seasoned breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian herbs, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper in one bowl; whisk eggs with salt and pepper in the second.
- Chicken Preparation: Pat chicken pieces completely dry to guarantee a crisp, adherent coating, removing any excess moisture.
- Coating Process: Submerge each chicken piece in egg mixture, allowing surplus to cascade off, then meticulously roll in seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to create a uniform, crunchy exterior.
- Air Fryer Setup: Generously spray air fryer basket with olive oil, strategically placing chicken cutlets in a single, non-touching layer and misting tops with additional olive oil.
- Initial Cooking: Activate air fryer at 390°F, cooking for 5 minutes, then carefully flip each cutlet, spraying again to enhance golden crispiness.
- Final Transformation: Continue air frying for another 5 minutes until achieving a rich, golden crust, then delicately layer tomato sauce across chicken pieces.
- Cheese Finale: Lavishly sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan over sauced chicken, returning to air fryer for 2 minutes to melt cheese and harmonize flavors.
- Serving Presentation: Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes for juice redistribution, garnish with freshly chopped basil and parsley, and serve immediately alongside a vibrant spinach salad or preferred pasta.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat chicken completely dry to guarantee a crispy, golden-brown exterior that won’t become soggy.
- Coating Technique: Press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create a thick, even crust that locks in flavor and crunch.
- Oil Spray Strategy: Use olive oil spray generously to enhance browning and prevent sticking, ensuring a restaurant-quality finish.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent 390°F air fryer temperature for perfectly cooked chicken with a crisp, golden coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg