Quick and easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan – “fried” in the air fryer for a crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle breaded chicken breast and then covered with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes with only 8 ingredients, it makes a healthy version perfect for the whole family! Gluten free and low carb.
This recipe first appeared on Instagram in partnership with Philips Kitchen.
Air fryer chicken parmesan! Can I get a heck yes?!
Oh man am I excited for this recipe! If you guys follow me on Instagram, you know we are obsessed with our air fryer and it wouldn’t be too long until this recipe showed up. I mean who doesn’t like chicken parmesan and the air fryer is a perfect way to make it a little healthier.
Traditional chicken parmesan is usually bread and deep fried or pan fried. While there is nothing wrong with that on occasion, it is a lot of oil, which can add a lot of fat. With the air fryer, you don’t need all the oil and it makes “frying” foods so easy. It also gives you the perfect crispiness that sometimes you can’t achieve in the oven, and it’s a lot faster!
This air fryer chicken parmesan is lightly breaded in a homemade gluten free flour mixture. Then “fried” in the air fryer for a crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle breaded chicken breast. Then you top it with some marinara sauce and cheese and cook a little more until it is perfectly melted.
It makes an easy and healthy weeknight meal the whole family will love. I made it for my dad while he was visiting and also for a friend one night for dinner – both of them loved it!
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Restaurant style Italian food you love in the comfort of your own home. Air fryer chicken parmesan requires only 8 ingredients and 20 minutes to make for a healthy and delicious alternative and an easy way to enjoy “fried” chicken at home. Serve with your your favorite side dish for a complete meal.
Here is what you need:
- chicken breasts – I love ButcherBox!
- egg
- almond flour
- shredded parmesan cheese
- tapioca flour
- Italian seasoning
- marinana sauce
- mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper
- oil, for coating
First, start off by pounding your chicken. This ensures that it evenly cooks and helps get the meat more juicy. Then make the flour mixture – mix together the almond flour, parmesan cheese, tapioca flour, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Next you whisk the egg in a shallow bowl.
Next bread the chicken – take a piece and dip it in the egg wash, making sure to get in all the nooks and crannies, followed by the flour mixture, and then place it on a plate. Repeat with the second piece of chicken breast.
Spray the bottom of you air fryer with a little oil (I like to use avocado oil spray). Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in your air fryer, giving a little room between each one for even air flow. Spray with a little avocado oil to help get them crispy and brown on the outside.
Cook at 375 for 10 minutes. After 10 minute are up, open the drawer and evenly spread the marinara sauce on top of the breaded chicken. Then follow that up with sprinkling the cheese over top. Cook for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted and breading is browned.
Finally, top with some fresh basil, more parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes and enjoy!
Substitutions for Chicken Parmesan
- almond flour – I haven’t tried any other flours, but I think substituting another nut flour (cashew would probably be best) for almond flour would work. I wouldn’t suggest coconut flour as the consistency is different and a lot dryer.
- tapioca flour – arrowroot flour should work the same
- flour – if you have a store bought gluten free flour mix, I am pretty sure that will work instead of the almond and tapioca, but I haven’t tried it so I’m not positive.
- cheese – dairy free cheese will work if you can’t tolerate dairy
Reheat Fried Chicken in Air Fryer
Fried chicken is super easy to reheat in the air fryer. Simply place it in your air fryer basket and set it 375 for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. The amount of time will depend on how thick and big your pieces of chicken are.
For this chicken parmesan, I like to reheat it and then add just a little more cheese on top, and reheat for an other couple minutes until melted
What to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
You can eat this chicken parmesan as is or serve them with whatever you like. Here are some suggestions for serving:
- pasta – what’s chicken parmesan without some pasta?! My favorite is angel hair, but any kind of pasta will work, regular or gluten free.
- spaghetti squash – a great option if you wanted to keep this recipe lower carb
- salad
- crusty bread
- roasted veggies – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or even asparagus would be great.
More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus
Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings
Crispy Garlic Rosemary Potatoes
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts (about 4 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (I like to use fresh)
- 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 ounce)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- for serving: freshly chopped basil, red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese...
Instructions
- Using a meat tenderizer, pound chicken into 1/2-1 inch thick pieces. I place the chicken on a large piece of parchment paper and folded it over to cover the chicken before poouding to help reduce the mess (see video).
- In a medium shallow bowl or plate whisk together the almond flour, parmesan cheese, tapioca flour, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. In another small bowl, whisk the egg. Set up an assembly line with chicken, whisked egg, and flour mixture.
- Bread the chicken by dipping it in the egg wash, making sure it is fully coated. Roll in the flour mixture, fully coating and shaking off any excess. Place on a plate and repeat with other piece of chicken.
- Open the drawer and top the chicken with marinana sauce and then shredded cheese, dividing them evenly between chicken breasts. Cook for another 5 minutes. Top with some fresh basil and serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links and I may make little bit of money if you click on and purchase the products that are linked. It doesn’t cost you any extra money. The compensation helps with expenses to keep ETG up and running. I truly appreciate your support!
Dan
March 7, 2020 at 9:37 amThey are great
Kelly
March 23, 2020 at 11:38 amGlad I got to make it for you!
Cami
March 7, 2020 at 1:41 pmI absolutely loved this! I followed your recipe exactly and it came out great. I used raos sauce and fresh mozzarella.
Kelly
March 23, 2020 at 11:36 amYum, I love raos! So glad you liked it Cami, thank you for trying!
Mary Zapchenk
March 8, 2020 at 9:11 pmThis turned out perfectly! I love using the air fryer! Super easy to make, but comes out fancy. Will definitely make again.
Kelly
March 23, 2020 at 11:35 amGlad you enjoyed it Mary and thanks for trying!!
Jill
March 11, 2020 at 8:37 amThis chicken Parm recipe was AMAZING!! I used Raos Marinara sauce and Trader Joe’s almond milk mozzarella – definitely sharing and making again and again!!!!!!!!
Kelly
March 23, 2020 at 11:20 amI love that pasta sauce! And I will have to look for that mozzarella, I’ve never seen it. Glad you enjoyed it Jill, thank you for trying!
Candy
March 14, 2020 at 10:15 pmAmazing. So so good and easy!
Kelly
March 23, 2020 at 11:16 amGlad you liked it Candy! Thank you for trying it!