Dairy-Free Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer

Learn how to make this crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside dairy-free chicken parmesan recipe for a simple dinner everyone will enjoy. Made in the air fryer, this easy chicken parmesan comes together in 15 minutes or less for a quick weeknight dinner!

A white plate with dairy-free air fryer chicken parmesan sliced and topped with fresh parsley on a white counter.

Chicken parmesan is a cheese lovers dream. With cheese in the breading pan fried and topped with melty mozzarella to finish, this dish is a love letter to the wonders of cheese.

After going dairy-free this delicious meal that had once been a staple in my Italian dinner rotation quickly became a thing of the past until…

The air fryer!

When we started prepping more meals in the air fryer I wanted to see if it could handle a breaded chicken and set off to create a dairy-free chicken parmesan with no cheese or cheese replacements.

Not only did the air fryer cook the chicken without drying it out, it also made a crispy crunchy coating without any of the deep oil frying.

A top down photo of a white bowl with spaghetti topped with dairy-free air fryer chicken parmesan, marinara sauce, and fresh parsley.

Why We Love Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

There are a number of reasons to love this air fryer version of chicken parmesan. Some of the main reasons we make this recipe on repeat include:

  • Quick to make. This recipe from start to finish takes roughly 15 minutes thanks to the air fryer.
  • Flavorful. From the juicy chicken to the bright marinara sauce, each bite of this homemade chicken parmesan is delightfully flavorful.
  • Pairs well with (almost) everything! You can serve this chicken parm up with so many different sides like pasta, rice, vegetables, garlic bread and more!

Dairy-Free Changes to Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

There are two main changes to this air fryer chicken parmesan to make it deliciously dairy-free.

  • No parmesan. With no parmesan cheese in the breading can we even call this chicken parmesan? (I’ll let the internet hash that out…)
  • No cheesey topping. Many traditional chicken parmesan recipes call for a coating of mozzarella on top of the sauce topped chicken. In this version we omit the cheese but you are more than welcome to try a mozzarella replacement like Miyoko’s Liquid Mozzarella.
A white plate with four dairy-free air fryer chicken parmesan pieces next to a dish towel.

How to Make Dairy-Free Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Chicken Breasts– Horizontally sliced into 2 pieces per chicken breast.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs– Plain, other kinds might have added dairy so be sure to check that your bread crumbs are not seasoned in any way.
  • Seasoning– A blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper season the breading of these chicken breasts.
  • Egg– Whisked and used to dip the chicken before breading.
  • Marinara Sauce– I like to use a simple marinara that doesn’t have a ton of sugar added like Rao’s but you do you and pick your favorite (dairy-free) marinara sauce.
Ingredients for dairy-free air fryer chicken parmesan on a white counter with a dish towel to the right.

Step-by-Step Directions for Dairy-Free Chicken Parmesan

  • Make breading: In a shallow dish mix together panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Set the breading aside.
  • Whisk egg: In a second shallow dish whisk 1 egg and set aside.
  • Slice the chicken: Cut your chicken breasts horizontally into 2 pieces each.
  • Dip the chicken breast into the egg mixture and flip to coat in egg on both sides.
  • Bread: Next place the egg coated chicken breast in the seasoned breadcrumbs and press to coat evenly. Flip to make sure both sides are fully covered and transfer to a plate.
  • Repeat the egg and panko steps for the remaining 3 chicken pieces.
  • Spray the breaded chicken breasts with non-stick spray.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and set the cook time to 8 minutes.
  • Air Fry: Once the air fryer is preheated place the chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook until about halfway.
  • Flip and top: Halfway through the cook time, flip the chicken and top with a few spoons of marinara sauce.
  • Cook until finished and remove from the air fryer.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Helpful Kitchen Tools

When you are ready to whip up a batch of this dairy-free air fryer chicken parmesan, here are some kitchen tools you might find helpful.

  • Air Fryer– Used to cook the chicken parmesan to a crispy finish.
  • Tongs– Great for flipping the chicken in the breading and turning it in the air fryer.
  • Shallow Dishes– Used to coat the chicken in an egg wash and then in the dairy-free bread crumbs.
Marinara topped dairy-free chicken parmesan in the air fryer basket.

Serving Dairy-Free Chicken Parmesan

There are a number of different ways you can dish out this filling chicken dinner. Some of the ways we like to enjoy it at our home include:

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

I’m going to be honest with you, the first day is definitely the best day for this chicken parm recipe. But if you have leftovers here are some tips for storing and reheating the dairy-free chicken parmesan.

  • Storing– Place cooled breaded chicken pieces in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Keep for up to 4 days.
  • Reheating– I would suggest reheating in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Another round in the air fryer tends to dry these chicken breasts out too much.
A white bowl with spaghetti topped with a piece of air fryer dairy-free chicken parmesan and chopped parsley.

More Chicken Recipes to Make Next

If you tried this dairy-free chicken parmesan recipe please let me know in the comments below!

You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!

Looking for more delicious dairy-free recipes and tips? Sign up for my newsletter below to get the most helpful recipes, tips, and products for your life after dairy.

A close up of a chicken breast topped with marinara after cooking in the air fryer.

Dairy-Free Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside this dairy-free chicken parmesan is a simple 15 minute air fryer meal everyone is sure to love!

Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword 15-Mintue, Air Fryer, Chicken Breast, Dairy-Free
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 breaded chicken pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs plain
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 Egg
  • Marinara Sauce

Instructions

  1. In a shallow dish mix together 1 cup panko, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Set the breading aside.

  2. In a second shallow dish whisk 1 egg and set aside.

  3. Cut 2 chicken breasts horizontally into 2 pieces each.

  4. Dip the chicken breast into the egg mixture and flip to coat in egg on both sides.

  5. Next place the egg coated chicken breast in the seasoned breadcrumbs and press to coat evenly.

  6. Flip to make sure both sides are fully covered and transfer to a plate.

  7. Repeat the egg and panko steps for the remaining 3 chicken pieces.

  8. Spray the breaded chicken breasts with non-stick spray.

  9. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and set the cook time to 8 minutes.

  10. Once the air fryer is preheated place the chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook until about halfway.

  11. Cook until finished and remove from the air fryer.

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