Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan is a crispy, golden chicken cutlet topped with rich marinara sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella. This classic Italian-American dish is hearty, comforting, and perfect for recreating a restaurant-style meal at home.

Bring the taste of Maggiano’s Little Italy to your own kitchen with this classic Chicken Parmesan recipe. Featuring crispy breaded chicken breasts smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with perfectly melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is the ultimate Italian comfort food.

It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners, date nights, or whenever you’re craving a restaurant-quality meal at home. Simple to make yet impressive on the table, this Maggiano’s favorite will quickly become a go-to in your recipe collection.

Serve with air fryer zucchini noodles, or air fryer roasted vegetables, this will soon become one of your favorite copycat recipe!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Crispy perfection – The golden-breaded chicken stays crunchy even under the sauce.
• Rich Italian flavor – Marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan bring bold, authentic taste.
• Restaurant-quality at home – Enjoy Maggiano’s signature dish without leaving your kitchen.
• Family-friendly favorite – A crowd-pleasing recipe that kids and adults will both love.
• Versatile and filling – Pairs beautifully with pasta, salad, or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan Ingredients

• Chicken: You can use chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken cutlets, chicken breasts, or chicken tender
• Egg: Use a large room-temperature egg
• Breading: Optional are pork rinds, keto bread crumbs, almond flour, or coconut flour
• Cheese: Use freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese.
• Seasonings and Spices: Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Parsley, and Oregano.
• Pasta Sauce: You can use low-carb homemade marinara sauce or store-bought keto tomato sauce.
• Oil: Use Olive Oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.

How to Make Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Step One: Start by using a meat mallet to flatten your chicken. Wrap the piece of chicken in saran wrap tightly, and then flatten your chicken. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F, spray your basket with cooking spray, or brush with olive oil.

Step Two: In one small bowl, add the eggs. In a large bowl, add the flour or crushed pork rinds, salt, back pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and 1/2 of the shredded Parmesan cheese, and mix well.

Step Three: Start by dipping your chicken into the egg mixture, then into the pork rind mixture, using your hands to pat the pork rinds into the chicken. As you coat your chicken, place the chicken into a single layer into the air fryer basket. Be careful not to crowd the air fryer basket.

Step Four: Set the cook time for 8-10 minutes. To help crisp the chicken up, spray the coating with a thin coat of cooking oil. After 10 minutes, spread the marinara sauce on top, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cook for another 5-9 minutes. Use a meat thermometer, and remove the chicken when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees f and the chicken is golden brown.

Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan Recipe Tips

• Crowding: For best results, ensure that the hot air has plenty of room to circulate around the chicken; this way, the chicken can crisp up!
• Timing: Since all air fryers are slightly different, the timing will vary; remember, you can use an instant-read thermometer to tell when your chicken is fully cooked.
• Seasonings: Add some more seasonings; I love using fresh herbs for this recipe, as well as Italian seasoning, garlic salt, or cayenne pepper for some spice.
• Internal Temperature: For best results, use a meat thermometer once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, you can safely remove the chicken. Remember to insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken.
• Flying Cheese: If you have been finding that your cheese flies off when you put it into the air fryer, the best thing to do is add the cheese and the delicious tomato sauce on top!

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store leftover chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain flavor and texture.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken Parmesan in a freezer-safe container or wrap individually in foil for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly, or use the microwave in short intervals to prevent sogginess.

Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan Recipe Recipe Faqs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for a juicier option, but adjust the cooking time slightly since they may cook faster than breasts.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time? Yes. You can bread the chicken and keep it in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking. You can also assemble the dish before baking and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Can I freeze the chicken Parmesan? Yes. Freeze cooked chicken Parmesan in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

What can I serve with this Chicken Parmesan? Serve it over spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. It also pairs well with a side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.

How do I prevent the chicken from getting soggy? Cook the chicken until fully golden and crispy before adding sauce and cheese. Avoid overcrowding the pan or air fryer basket.

More Maggiano’s Copycat Recipes

Maggianos Chicken Piccata

Maggiano’s Butter Cake Recipe

Maggiano’s Stuffed Mushrooms

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