Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook evenly. Season both sides with salt and black pepper to taste.
In three shallow bowls, set up your breading station. In the first bowl, add the whole wheat flour. In the second bowl, pour in the beaten eggs. In the third bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil.
Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off the excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken with the panko mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres well. Repeat this for all the chicken fillets.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy texture.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded chicken fillets in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t touch. Spray the tops of the chicken fillets with more cooking spray. Cook them for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and spoon a generous amount of sugar-free marinara sauce over each fillet. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The aroma will be irresistible!
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy your Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with a side salad, pasta, or crusty bread!