Crispy Chicken Parmesan Is Even Easier With An Air Fryer

A classic comfort food, chicken parmesan is an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser consisting of breaded chicken covered in tomato sauce and coated in mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese. Although traditionally cooked on the stove and in the oven, this Italian-inspired dish can easily be made in the air fryer. While air fryers are often used to heat up frozen foods like chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks, you may be surprised to learn that they can be used to cook fresh foods and raw meat just as effectively as (or more than) a stove.

It may seem strange or unfamiliar at first, but cooking raw chicken in your air fryer is safe, fast, and highly effective as it delivers tender, juicy chicken; the hot air creates a crispy outside while keeping the inside perfectly moist. It's also an excellent choice for cooking breaded chicken since it produces a crispiness that the oven can't deliver. If you've ever struggled with preventing your breaded chicken from becoming soggy in the oven, the air fryer might just be the solution you are looking for. 

To produce the best results in the air fryer, make sure to start by pounding or tenderizing the chicken to about a half-inch thickness. Thinning it out will help it cook evenly and reduce the chance of it drying out as it cooks through. Once tenderized, coat the chicken in flour and an egg wash before dipping it in bread crumbs to help it stick and create an even, crispy layer. It's also important to coat the bottom of the air fryer with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket. For two 6 to 8-oz chicken breasts, cook for about eight minutes, flip, then cook for another eight minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and set aside. 

The next stage of cooking involves the sauce and cheese. To prevent messiness, line the air fryer with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Return the chicken to the foil-lined basket and cover with tomato sauce and cheese, cooking until the cheese is browned. Make sure to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached between 165 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit before removing it from the air fryer.