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Quick Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

This chicken Parmesan starts out with frozen breaded chicken fillets. It only takes a handful of ingredients and dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a college dorm meal if you only have an air fryer and a portable hot plate to cook on.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people
Calories 2507.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 Large Pot For boiling pasta
  • 1 Colander For draining pasta
  • 1 Tongs For handling chicken and spaghetti
  • 1 Chef's knife For cutting fresh basil

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 8 ounce package spaghetti
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 2 fully cooked breaded chicken fillets such as Kirkwood®
  • ½ 8 ounce can marinara sauce
  • 1 8 ounce package fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil cut in very thin strips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 5 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, set 2 chicken fillets into the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry chicken fillets for 6 minutes. Flip fillets over and cook for 6 minutes on the other side. Spread marinara sauce over fillets. Top each fillet with mozzarella slices. Air fry until cheese is melted, about 3 more minutes.
  • Drain spaghetti noodles and divide noodles between 2 bowls. Carefully add a chicken fillet to each bowl. Garnish with basil.

Notes

For an enhanced flavor profile, consider briefly warming the marinara sauce with a small amount of finely minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes before spreading on the chicken. A light mist of olive oil spray on the frozen chicken fillets prior to air frying will promote a crispier crust. When using fresh mozzarella, pat it dry to prevent excess moisture, and slice thinly for even melting. For a truly elevated dish, finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Ensure the air fryer is not overcrowded to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. Serve the pasta al dente and garnish generously with fresh basil for aroma and color.