My Air Fried Chicken Parmesan has all the flavors we love from the classic dish but with a lighter touch and quicker cooking time. 

This is an image of air fried chicken parmesan sitting on a cooling rack that's on a baking sheet there is a bowl of basil on the side
Screenshot

It’s a recipe I love pulling out on weeknights when I want something cozy and (super) delicious, but don’t feel like standing over a hot skillet with splattering oil.

Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken turns out beautifully golden and crunchy without deep-frying.

If you loved this recipe for air fried chicken parmesan, try this Crispy Chicken Topped with Caesar Salad, my Dairy Free KFC Bowls and this Sun-dried Tomato Pasta topped with Crispy Skin.

I can get my air fried chicken Parmesan on the table in about 35 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy evenings when I’m trying to get Ruby ready for bed (IYKYK). 

Everyone loves the silky, gooey cheesiness from the mozzarella and marinara combo. It’s always a hit you guys.

Comfort food made lighter; you still get that classic Italian-American flavor without feeling weighed down. I love that!

INGREDIENTS

Check out the recipe card below for the full ingredient and quantity list.

Use thin, tender pieces of chicken cutlets that cook quickly. You’ll also need flour, eggs, breadcrumbs and Parmesan for breading to make your crispy, delicious coating.

I love the way the mozzarella cheese melts beautifully over the chicken for a gooey, cheesy topping. It’s so good, you guys! You’ll also need your favorite brand of marinara sauce and some fresh basil. I serve my air fried chicken cutlets with classic spaghetti, but any pasta will work.

WHAT OTHER CUTS OF CHICKEN CAN BE USED?

Cutlets are my go-to for air fried chicken Parmesan, but chicken tenders make a quick and kid-friendly swap. Boneless thighs work too. They’re super juicy and delicious.

Turkey cutlets are a leaner option, while eggplant slices create a vegetarian spin. Just keep pieces evenly sized so they cook at the same rate, adjusting air-fryer time as needed.

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Prepare the chicken and crumbs

Preheat the air fryer to 375F (190C) and season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs and a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip in eggs, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.

Prepare the air fryer

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and arrange cutlets in a single layer without overlapping.

Cook the chicken

Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through (165F/75C).

Top with sauce and cheese

Top the cutlets with marinara sauce and then with 1 to mozzarella cheese slices.

Cook again

Return to the air fryer at 400F (204C) for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Garnish and enjoy

Add a little fresh basil if like and serve your air fried chicken cutlets hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS

You can totally play around with my recipe for air fried chicken cutlets. Here are a few ideas:

  • Gluten free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.
  • Cheese swap: Try provolone or fontina for a different melty alternative.
  • Protein change-up: Swap chicken for turkey cutlets or even eggplant for a vegetarian version.
  • Low carb option: Skip the pasta and serve with zucchini noodles or a crisp salad.

WHAT IS AN AIR FRYER?

An air fryer is a compact appliance that circulates hot air to crisp food, much like a mini convection oven. It creates fried-like results with only a little oil, making it healthier and less messy than deep-frying. 

Great for proteins, veggies and even reheating leftovers, it’s especially handy for dishes like air-fried chicken Parmesan where you want a golden crust without heavy oil.

STORAGE AND MAKE AHEAD

I’ll typically store leftover air fried chicken cutlets in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To reheat them, I’ll pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness.

You can bread the chicken in advance and refrigerate it (uncooked) for up to 12 hours before air frying.

I love that the leftovers reheat so well so I my next-day air fried chicken parmesan always tastes just as good as the first round.

SERVING AND PAIRING

This air fried chicken cutlets dish is a classic with spaghetti, but here are a few other pairing ideas:

TIPS

  • Crispiness: I try to make sure the cutlets are in a single layer and not overlapping in the air fryer basket. This way they turn out crispy and don’t steam up against each other.
  • Cheese sliding off? Let the marinara sit for 1–2 minutes on the hot chicken before adding the mozzarella;  it helps it cling better.
  • The cutlets are too thick: That’s ok, just pound them out so they cook evenly and stay tender.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use chicken tenders instead of cutlets?

Yes, you totally can. They’ll cook even faster since they’re thinner.

Can I use jarred marinara?

Absolutely. Make sure you pick a good-quality one to keep things easy.

Do I need to flip the chicken in the air fryer?

Yes, flipping halfway ensures both sides get golden and crispy.

Can I put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, the air fryer is made for cooking raw chicken. It uses circulating hot air to crisp the outside while cooking the inside to a safe 165F. I find thin cuts like cutlets or tenders cook best, while larger pieces like thighs or drumsticks need more time. For best results, I like to spray the pieces lightly with oil, leave space between them, and flip them halfway through cooking.

OTHER COZY CHICKEN RECIPES

If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy these chicken dishes too:

This is an image of air fried chicken parmesan sitting on a cooling rack that's on a baking sheet there is a bowl of basil on the side

Air-Fried Chicken Parmesan

Taylor Jackzen
Air fried chicken cutlets: There are few things more comforting than a plate of Chicken Parmesan; crispy breaded chicken, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. But making it the traditional way can feel heavy (and a little messy). That's where the air fryer swoops in and saves dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken cutlets
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • Cooking spray

For Assembling

  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 8 oz. mozzarella cheese ball sliced thin
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
  • 1 lb Cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  • Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
  • Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  • Place the breaded chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching.
  • Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  • Once the chicken cutlets are cooked spoon marinara sauce over each chicken cutlet, covering them evenly.
  • Layer 1-2 pieces of mozzarella cheese over the top of each chicken cutlet.
  • Place back into the air-fryer at 400°F (204°C) and cook for 2-3 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Garnish the air fried chicken parmesan with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
  • Serve hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, if desired.