Easy air fryer panko chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with parmesan flavor. This is the easiest way to get air fryer chicken parmigiana without all the oil that comes with deep frying. Healthy, family friendly, and delicious, this will become a new dinner favorite!
Jump to:
- What makes this air fryer panko chicken so good?
- Ingredients you need for air fryer parm crusted chicken:
- How to make the best air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
- What to serve chicken parmesan with:
- Storing leftover air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
- Recipe FAQS:
- Related Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Panko Chicken
What makes this air fryer panko chicken so good?
Air fryer chicken parmesan panko crumbs and all is a game changer. All the crispiness of deep fried chicken is achieved by the circulating heat of an air fryer, and the chicken stays juicy on the inside.
This tastes like such a fancy restaurant meal- chicken with Parmesan, marinara sauce, and melted cheese but it’s so simple to put together.
Using panko to bread chicken is my favorite way to enjoy breaded chicken. The panko breadcrumbs stay really crispy, even when you add sauce to them.
An air fryer makes everything easier, with a lot less mess to clean up. This is actually a ninja foodi chicken parmesan recipe, but it’ll work in any brand of air fryer on the exact same settings.
Ingredients you need for air fryer parm crusted chicken:
Chicken breasts: I like to cut these in half to get really nice thin pieces of chicken breasts. They’ll cook through faster and be extra crispy. I just get the supermarket butcher to do this but it’s easy enough to do at home!
Salt and pepper to season the chicken breasts, and dried oregano, dried basil, and garlic powder to season the coating mixture.
Panko breadcrumbs: very easily available these days, any supermarket should carry them.
Eggs: this helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
Provolone or mozzarella cheese: both work super well. Use whatever you find!
Jarred marinara sauce: Using ready made sauce just makes this recipe so simple. You can of course use a homemade recipe for marinara sauce if you prefer!
How to make the best air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
- Mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, and garlic powder until well combined and transfer to a shallow plate.
- Whisk the eggs in a shallow dish or pie plate.
- Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Preheat air fryer to 375F (190 C). Dip the chicken in the eggs, then dip in the breadcrumbs, coating thoroughly on both sides. Place in a single layer in air fryer basket (you may have to cook in batches)
- Cook for 6 minutes in the air fryer then flip the breasts over, top each with a spoonful of marinara sauce and sliced cheese, then cook for another 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Enjoy with pasta and extra sauce!
What to serve chicken parmesan with:
My favorite way to enjoy this is with spaghetti, angel hair pasta or linguine noodles. I like to serve with extra marinara sauce ladled onto the noodles (after warming it).
You can keep this lighter by serving with a simple arugula salad. Try serving it with potato wedges or mashed potatoes for a different take.
It would be great with this broccoli waldorf salad. You could also turn this into chicken parmesan sandwiches on sub or hoagie bread. So yum!
Storing leftover air fryer parmesan crusted chicken:
Leftover chicken parmesan will last 3-4 days tightly covered in the fridge.
To make ahead and freeze, I’d recommend cooking the chicken completely through without adding the sauce and cheese and freezing in a tightly covered container.
When ready to finish off, add the frozen chicken straight to the air fryer, topping with sauce and cheese and air fry until heated and cheese is melted (probably 6-10 minutes).
Recipe FAQS:
Yes, if you use gluten free panko breadcrumb and serve with gluten free pasta. Make sure that any store bought sauce you may be using is free of flour or other gluten products.
Since the coating does go soggy when it’s stored in the fridge, I find the best way to reheat it is in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes. It should crisp up again! It may not be as crispy as when you first made it, but that’s my favorite way to reheat parmesan chicken cutlets.
Yes but it will require a little more work. Pan fry the breaded chicken in an oil coated skillet, 2-3 minutes a side. Then place in a baking sheet, top with the sauce and the cheese and bake at 425F (220C) for 15-20 minutes until totally cooked through and cheese is bubbling.
Related Air Fryer Recipes:
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Air Fryer Panko Chicken
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2-3 chicken breasts, butterflied and cut in half to make 4-6 thin cutlets
- salt and pepper to season
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon oregano powder
- 1/2 teaspoon basil powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs
- 6 slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese, or 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce, plus extra for serving
- cooked pasta noodles for serving, optional
Instructions
- Mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, and garlic powder until well combined and transfer to a shallow plate.
- Whisk the eggs in a shallow dish or pie plate.
- Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Preheat air fryer to 375F (190 C). Dip the chicken in the eggs, then dip in the breadcrumbs, coating thoroughly on both sides. Place in a single layer in air fryer basket (you may have to cook in batches)
- Cook for 6 minutes in the air fryer then flip the breasts over, top each with a spoonful of marinara sauce and sliced cheese, then cook for another 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Enjoy with pasta and extra sauce!
Dannii says
This was such a great way to use the air fryer and the chicken was perfectly cooked.
Farah Abumaizar says
So glad to hear it Dannii! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Natalie says
Prepared all the ingredients and will be making this panko chicken for lunch. Thanks for the idea!
Farah Abumaizar says
It’s my pleasure Natalie! Hope you enjoy it!
Ieva says
Made this chicken for dinner last night. We had some smoked provolone in the fridge so used that to melt on top, and it was utterly delicious! Great air-fryer recipe for weekday night dinners!
Farah Abumaizar says
So glad you liked it Ieva, the smoked provolone sounds amazing!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
What a delicious and comforting dish All the crunch and flavour without all the faff of frying too..
Farah Abumaizar says
Exactly what we thinks! Thanks Amanda!!
Gabby says
This was super easy and really tasty! It was very crispy and I loved the combination of herbs. They gave the chicken heaps of flavour.
Farah Abumaizar says
So happy to hear it Gabby! Thanks for taking the time to comment!