Description
Crispy healthy chicken parmesan brings Italian-American classic comfort to your dinner table with a guilt-free twist. Perfectly golden air-fryer chicken delivers maximum flavor and crunch while keeping calories in check, letting home cooks enjoy a restaurant-favorite meal with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 (6 ounces / 170 grams) chicken breasts, cut into cutlets (or use store-bought cutlets)
Breading and Coating:
- 2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2–3 large eggs
Sauce and Topping:
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Chopped basil
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare a dredging setup with two shallow bowls: one mixing breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper; another whisking eggs with a salt and pepper pinch.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken pieces, ensuring a crisp coating.
- Gently dunk each chicken piece into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll the egg-coated chicken thoroughly in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to create an even, adherent crust.
- Liberally coat the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange chicken cutlets in a single, non-overlapping layer within the basket.
- Mist chicken tops with olive oil spray to enhance crispiness.
- Air fry at 390°F for 5 minutes, then carefully flip each cutlet.
- Spray flipped chicken again and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Delicately spoon tomato sauce over each chicken piece.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese generously across the sauced chicken.
- Return to air fryer for 2 minutes to melt cheese and integrate flavors.
- Remove chicken and allow to rest for 5 minutes, helping juices redistribute.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil and parsley.
- Serve immediately alongside a crisp spinach salad or your preferred pasta.
Notes
- Perfectly crisp chicken relies on patting the meat completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crunchiness.
- Coating technique matters: press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create an even, thick layer that will deliver exceptional texture.
- Oil spray is crucial for achieving golden-brown exterior without excessive oil, helping maintain healthier cooking method.
- Check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe consumption and prevent potential foodborne illnesses.
- Resting chicken for 5 minutes after cooking allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.
- Fresh herbs like basil and parsley aren’t just garnish; they add bright, fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg