Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Learn how to make easy and crispy air fryer chicken breast Parmesan with this delicious recipe. Perfect for meal prepping and beginner-friendly.
TikTok Canada LIVE Air Fryer Chicken Breast Cutlets
While surfing TikTok, I stumbled upon a gentleman (@mrdelio300) cooking in his kitchen.
I decided to watch him, and he was preparing chicken breasts that he purchased from Costco.
He meal preps and portions food as soon as he gets home from Costco so he has protein ready when he needs it.
I was intrigued when he said he was making air fryer chicken breast cutlets, as I’m a newbie with this new-generation kitchen gadgetry.
We only have an air fryer because our microwave bit the bullet, so we purchased the Cuisinart Air Fryer/Microwave combo.
When Mr. Delio finished his air fryer chicken breast cutlets, he put them inside homemade yogurt flatbread with BBQ sauce.
I’ve made this air fryer chicken breast cutlets recipe a few times and enjoy the flatbread wrap and parmesan versions.
If you don’t want cutlets, use the same recipe to make air fryer chicken tenders.
The choice is yours!
Each chicken cutlet has 16g of protein, and one chicken breast has been split into two.
Enjoy, and please let me know what you think of this recipe if you try it.
Mr. CBB
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast Parmesan
Below is a simple step-by-step recipe for making this air fryer chicken breast parmesan in under one hour.
Fresh Chicken Breasts
Breading Air Fryer Chicken Breast Cutlets
I followed the classic breadcrumb station to coat these air fryer chicken breasts.
Start with three aluminum foil, glass pie plates, or cake pans that are the perfect size.
Tip: Check the Dollar store for the best prices.
Add 1 cup of gluten-free flour in one pan and season with one teaspoon of salt and pepper.
You can also use almond flour or all-purpose flour.
Add three large eggs in one pan and whisk them with 1 tsp of salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.
You can also add chopped fresh parsley as an option or any other seasoning.
Add 2 cups of panko or Italian bread crumbs to a second pan and season with 1 tsp of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
If the Italian breadcrumbs come seasoned, add salt and pepper, trust me.
Making The Chicken Cutlets
Cut (butterfly) three chicken breasts down the middle to make two thin cutlets each.
Some people place the chicken between plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a glass to thin it out.
Doing it this way yields a large chicken cutlet, which you can cut in half but looks nicer if you leave it whole.
Dry The Chicken Breast Cutlets
Before you start the breading process, ensure that the chicken breast cutlets are dry by patting them with a paper towel.
Breading The Chicken Breast Cutlets
Dip one chicken breast into the flour on both sides and shake to remove excess.
Proceed by dipping the chicken breast into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs.
Prepare The Air Fryer For The Chicken Breast Cutlets
Set the chicken breasts into your air fryer basket or on a plate until you finish breading all of them.
Line your air fryer basket with silicone or a paper liner and set each chicken breast inside.
Our air fryer basket is round and fits four chicken cutlets comfortably.
Spray lightly each chicken breast cutlet with avocado or olive oil.
Air Frying The Chicken Breast Cutlets
Put the tray or basket into the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Remove at the 10-minute mark and, using a fork, turn each chicken breast cutlet over and spray lightly with avocado or extra-virgin olive oil.
Return to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
The chicken breast cutlets should be golden brown and ready to be dressed with Italian marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Every air fryer is different, so please check the chicken breast to ensure it is fully cooked.
If the chicken breast is not cooked, return it to the air fryer for 5 more minutes.
Making A Quick Italian Marinara Sauce
I didn’t go all out when I made the Italian marinara sauce for the air fryer chicken breast cutlets.
While the cutlets were cooking in a pot, I added 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil, two cloves of minced garlic, half a red onion, and 1 tsp of salt and pepper.
I let that fry on medium heat for two minutes to allow the onions and garlic to cook.
Add a small can of Italian tomato paste and 1 cup of water to the pot and two teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
If you like a sweet marinara sauce, add 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar and mix.
Stir to mix the sauce and cook on medium heat for 15- 20 minutes to reduce.
If you want to make a homemade Italian Sauce, try Nonna’s traditional sauce recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Cutlet Parmesan
Once the chicken cutlets are cooked, add shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese.
Microwave until the cheese is melted.
Top with Italian marinara sauce and freshly grated Parmigiano Regianno Cheese.
Serve with a salad, mashed potatoes, cooked rice, or butter pasta.
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
50 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 2 cloves of garlic mined
- 1/2 medium red onion chopped
- 1 tbsp of avocado or extra-virgin olive oil (spray before air-fryer)
- 3 tbsps Italian Seasoning 1 tbsp each for flour, breadcrumbs and sauce.
- 2 tsps salt
- 2 tsps pepper
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup gluten-free flour
- 1 cup shredded or sliced mozarella (6 slices)
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmigiano Regianno cheese
Instructions
- Cut three chicken breasts down the middle to make two thin cutlets each.
- Before you start the breading process, ensure that the chicken breast cutlets are dry by patting them with a paper towel.
- Start with three aluminum foil, glass pie plates, or cake pans that are the perfect size.
- Add 1 cup of gluten-free flour to one pan and season with one teaspoon of salt and pepper.
- Add three large eggs to one pan and whisk them with 1 tsp of salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.
- Add 2 cups of panko or Italian bread crumbs to a second pan and season with 1 tsp of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Dip one chicken breast into the flour on both sides and shake to remove excess.
- Proceed by dipping the chicken breast into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs.
- Set the chicken breasts into your air fryer basket or on a plate until you finish breading all of them.
- Line your air fryer basket with silicone or a paper liner and set each chicken breast inside.
- Spray lightly each chicken breast cutlet with avocado or olive oil.
- Put the tray or basket into the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Remove at the 10-minute mark and, using a fork, turn each chicken breast cutlet over and spray lightly with avocado or extra-virgin olive oil.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
- The chicken breast cutlets should be golden brown and ready to be dressed with Italian marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Every air fryer is different, so please check the chicken breast to ensure it is fully cooked.
- If the chicken breast is not cooked, return it to the air fryer for five more minutes.
Marinara Sauce
- While the cutlets were cooking in a pot, I added 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil, two cloves of minced garlic, half a red onion, and 1 tsp of salt and pepper.
- I let that fry on medium heat for two minutes to allow the onions and garlic to cook.
- Add a small can of Italian tomato paste and 1 cup of water to the pot and two teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
- If you like a sweet marinara sauce, add one teaspoon of granulated sugar and mix.
- Stir to mix the sauce and cook on medium heat for 15- 20 minutes to reduce.
Putting It Together
- Once the chicken cutlets are cooked, add shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese.
- Microwave until the cheese is melted.
- Top with Italian marinara sauce and freshly grated Parmigiano Regianno Cheese.
- Serve with a salad, mashed potatoes, cooked rice, or butter pasta.
Notes
Use almond flour or all-purpose flour instead of gluten-free flour.
Always season breadcrumbs, eggs, and flour.
Use any seasonings you like on the chicken breast.
Pound the chicken while wrapped in plastic wrap using a mallet or the bottom of a glass.
Make a traditional Italian sauce instead of marinara.
