Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with Garlic Butter Spaghetti

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with Garlic Butter Spaghetti
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1.5 cups jarred marinara sauce; 2 whole large eggs; 10 oz spaghetti; 3 tbsp butter; 3 cloves garlic cloves; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp olive oil spray; 10 leaves fresh basil leaves

⏱ 38 min

🍽 Serves 4

≈ $10.50 ($2.63/serving)

novice

Why this fits a family on a budget

Using an air fryer cuts the cooking time dramatically compared to traditional baked chicken Parm, getting this crowd-pleaser on the table in under 40 minutes. Chicken breasts, jarred marinara, and dry pasta are all affordable staples that keep this well within the $3-per-serving budget.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

• 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1.5 cups jarred marinara sauce

• 2 whole large eggs

• 10 oz spaghetti

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic cloves

• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp salt

• 0.5 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp olive oil spray

• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat for the spaghetti.

2. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a zip-lock bag. Use a rolling pin or heavy pan to pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness — this helps them cook evenly and quickly.

3. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. In a shallow bowl, beat the 2 eggs well. Pour breadcrumbs into a second shallow bowl.

4. Dip each chicken breast into the egg, letting any excess drip off, then press firmly into breadcrumbs to coat both sides completely.

5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place breaded chicken in a single layer (do not overlap — cook in batches if needed). Spray the tops of the chicken lightly with olive oil spray to help browning.

6. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken carefully using tongs. Cook another 6–8 minutes until the coating is deep golden brown and crispy. The chicken is done when its internal temperature reads 165°F or the center is no longer pink when cut.

7. While chicken cooks, add spaghetti to the boiling water and cook 9–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and return to pot.

8. Melt butter in the empty pot over low heat. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add drained spaghetti back in, toss to coat, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Keep warm on the lowest heat setting.

9. When chicken is done, spoon 2–3 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each piece and top generously with shredded mozzarella. Return to air fryer at 400°F for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly with light golden spots.

10. Plate the garlic Parmesan spaghetti, set a chicken breast on top or alongside, and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Contains: gluten, dairy, egg. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.

Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.

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This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.

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