Homemade Chicken Parmesan Recipe (Air Fryer or Cast Iron)
This Chicken Parmesan is one of those reliable, comforting meals that looks impressive but comes together with everyday ingredients you already have on hand. What makes this version stand out is the boost of flavour from our Best Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix: Copycat Recipe, which seasons the breadcrumbs perfectly and gives the chicken a rich, savoury coating. Whether you use the Ninja air fryer or your favorite cast-iron pan, this recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken topped with warm marinara and melty cheese—true weeknight comfort.
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What you will Love about this Recipe
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you already have (including your homemade dry onion soup mix).
- Air fryer or cast-iron friendly—choose the method that suits your day.
- Crispy outside, juicy inside, without deep frying.
- Family approved—kids love it, adults love it.
- Perfect for busy nights but still feels like a “real meal.”
- Pairs with noodles, vegetables, salad, or garlic bread—easy to round out.
Key Ingredients to Make Chicken Parmesan
- 1 lb boneless, skinless raw chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 ½ TBSP Best Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade marinara sauce recipe coming soon)
- ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 TBSP Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper
- Optional: olive oil for cast iron method (2 TBSP)
Tools Needed to Make Chicken Parmesan
- Cast iron pan or Ninja Air Fryer
- Shallow bowls for dredging
- Tongs
- Baking tray (if finishing under the broiler)
My Favorite Kitchen Tools for this Recipe
Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle. 12 Inches and 10.25 Inches with 8 Inch Set of 3 Cast Iron Frying Pans
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Chicken Parmesan
- Prepare the Chicken
- Remove the white tendon from each chicken breast. Slice the skinless chicken breasts in half length-wise, or pound the chicken if they are thick, to create even pieces. To pound chicken, place the chicken pieces between layers of plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper and pound with a meat mallet or a rolling pin.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Set Up Your Dredging Station
- In one shallow bowl, make an egg wash by beating the two eggs.
- In a second bowl, mix breadcrumbs + dry onion soup mix.
- Bread the Chicken
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture. Let excess drip off chicken pieces.
- Press into the seasoned bread crumb mixture until fully coated.
- Repeat for the remaining chicken pieces.
AIR FRYER METHOD
(Recommended for speed + crispiness)
1. Preheat
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Lay the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 6–8 minutes, until crispy and cooked through (internal temperature: 165°F).
3. Add Sauce + Cheese
- Heat pasta sauce or homemade sauce
- Add cooked chicken pieces and flip to
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Air fry for an additional 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
CAST IRON METHOD
1. Heat the Pan
- Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Fry the breaded chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
3. Add Sauce & Cheese
- Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken directly in the pan.
- Add mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- You can also finish under the broiler for extra browning.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Parmesan
This Chicken Parmesan is delicious with:
- Egg noodles
- Zucchini noodles
- Spaghetti or penne
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed mixed vegetables
- A crisp garden salad
- Garlic toast or sourdough slices
How Store and Reheat Chicken Parmesan
- Fridge:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer:
- Freeze cooked chicken (without sauce and cheese) for up to 3 months.
- Reheat:
- Air fryer: 350°F for 5–7 minutes
- Oven: 350°F for 10–12 minutes
- Microwave: works, but won’t stay crispy
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless thighs work perfectly and stay extra juicy.
2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes—use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure your soup mix and marinara are gluten-free..
3. Do I need to pound the chicken first?
Only if the pieces are very thick does even thickness ensure even cooking.
4. Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Air fryer batches may need to cook in two rounds, but everything else remains the same.
5. Can I use store-bought marinara?
Yes, any good jarred sauce works. Homemade is coming soon to the blog!
Special Tools (affiliate links): Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill and Air Fryer | Cast Iron Skillets |
This Chicken Parmesan is one of those reliable, feel-good meals that fit perfectly into busy weeknights while still tasting like something you put real love into. With simple pantry ingredients, our Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix, and the flexibility of both the air fryer and cast iron pan, it’s a recipe you can turn to again and again. Serve it with your favorite noodles and vegetables, or keep it simple with a side salad—either way, it’s a comforting, homestead-style dinner that your whole family will look forward to.
Try it out, and let me know how it turns out! Tag me on Instagram and Facebook @grindinggearsfarmstead to share your from cooking from scratch journey.
Lechyd Da, (means “Cheers to Good Health” in Welsh)
Homemade Chicken Parmesan Recipe (Air Fryer or Cast Iron)
Equipment
- Ninja Air Fryer
- Cast iron pan
- Shallow bowls for dredging
- Tongs
- Baking tray (if finishing under the broiler)
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless raw chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 ½ Tbsp Best Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade marinara sauce recipe coming soon)
- ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper
- Optional: olive oil for cast iron method (2 Tbsp)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Remove the white tendon from each chicken breast. Slice the skinless chicken breasts in half length-wise, or pound the chicken if they are thick, to create even pieces. To pound chicken, place the chicken pieces between layers of plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper and pound with a meat mallet or a rolling pin.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
Set Up Your Dredging Station
- In one shallow bowl, make an egg wash by beating the two eggs.
- In a second bowl, mix breadcrumbs + dry onion soup mix.
Bread the Chicken
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture. Let excess drip off chicken pieces.
- Press into the seasoned bread crumb mixture until fully coated.
- Repeat for the remaining chicken pieces.
AIR FRYER METHOD (Recommended for speed + crispiness)
Preheat:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
Cook the Chicken:
- Lay the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 6–8 minutes, until crispy and cooked through (internal temperature: 165°F).
Add Sauce + Cheese
- Heat pasta sauce or homemade sauce.
- Add cooked chicken pieces and flip to coat in sauce.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Air fry for an additional 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
CAST IRON METHOD
Heat the Pan
- Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
Cook the Chicken
- Fry the breaded chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Add Sauce + Cheese
- Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken directly in the pan.
- Add mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- You can also finish under the broiler for extra browning.
This Chicken Parmesan is delicious with:
- Egg noodles
- Zucchini noodles
- Spaghetti or penne
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed mixed vegetables
- A crisp garden salad
- Garlic toast or sourdough slices
