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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe with Gooey Mozzarella Easy and Perfect

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A quick and easy air fryer chicken parmesan recipe featuring a crispy crust and gooey fresh mozzarella, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces or 170 grams each), pounded to even thickness
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 grams)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten with a splash of water
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (100 grams)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 grams)
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into rounds (115 grams)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (240 ml), homemade or store-bought
  • Olive oil spray
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Place each breast between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap, then gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick.
  2. Lightly sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
  3. Set up the breading station: place the all-purpose flour in the first shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with a tablespoon of water in the second, and combine the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese in the third.
  4. Coat each chicken breast lightly in flour, tapping off any excess. Dip into the egg wash, allowing any extra to drip off. Press into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coat on both sides. Pat down gently so the crumbs stick well.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat for about 3 minutes.
  6. Spray both sides of the breaded chicken lightly with olive oil spray. Place the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 6-7 minutes, then flip carefully and cook another 6-8 minutes until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Spoon a generous 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce onto each cooked chicken breast, then top with 2 slices of fresh mozzarella. Return to the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F (175°C), just until the cheese melts and bubbles slightly.
  8. Carefully remove the chicken parmesan from the air fryer. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

[‘Adjust cooking times for thicker or thinner chicken breasts.’, ‘Be gentle when flipping the chicken to keep the breading intact.’, ‘Use fresh mozzarella for best melting and gooey texture.’, ‘Spray olive oil lightly to achieve a golden, crispy crust without deep frying.’, ‘Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.’, ‘Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and keep chicken juicy.’, ‘For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour and gluten-free panko.’, ‘For dairy-free version, use dairy-free mozzarella and substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast.’, ‘Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes to restore crispiness.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken parmesan, air fryer chicken, crispy chicken, mozzarella, easy dinner, quick recipe, Italian, comfort food

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-parmesan-recipe-with-gooey-mozzarella-easy-and-perfect/