INGREDIENTS
For the chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or sliced mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional but recommended)
Optional toppings and additions:
- 1/2 cup marinara or tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer (recommended but optional)
STEP 1: PREPARE THE CHICKEN
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and prevents excess moisture.
If the chicken breasts are thick, carefully slice each one horizontally to create a pocket. Do not cut all the way through. This pocket will hold the mozzarella cheese.
If you prefer not to stuff the chicken, you can cook the chicken flat and add the cheese on top later. Both methods work well.
STEP 2: SEASON THE CHICKEN
In a small bowl, mix together:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil.
Rub the seasoning evenly on all sides, including inside the pocket if you made one.
Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the seasoning to absorb into the meat.
STEP 3: ADD THE MOZZARELLA CHEESE
If stuffing the chicken:
- Fill each chicken pocket with mozzarella cheese.
- Press gently to close.
- If needed, secure with toothpicks to keep the cheese inside while cooking.
If topping instead:
- Do not add cheese yet.
- The cheese will be added later during cooking.
STEP 4: PREHEAT THE AIR FRYER
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
Preheating helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents sticking.
STEP 5: AIR FRY THE CHICKEN
Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
Cook at 375°F (190°C) for:
- 10 minutes on the first side
- Flip the chicken
- Cook another 6 to 8 minutes
If you are adding cheese on top instead of stuffing:
- Flip the chicken after 10 minutes
- Add mozzarella cheese on top
- Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until melted
The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
STEP 6: OPTIONAL SAUCE AND EXTRA CHEESE
For a mozzarella chicken parmesan style:
- Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce over the chicken during the last 2 minutes of cooking
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top
- Return to air fryer until bubbly and melted
STEP 7: REST BEFORE SERVING
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
This keeps the juices inside the chicken and prevents the cheese from spilling out immediately.
INGREDIENTS
For the chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or sliced mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional but recommended)
Optional toppings and additions:
- 1/2 cup marinara or tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer (recommended but optional)
STEP 1: PREPARE THE CHICKEN
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and prevents excess moisture.
If the chicken breasts are thick, carefully slice each one horizontally to create a pocket. Do not cut all the way through. This pocket will hold the mozzarella cheese.
If you prefer not to stuff the chicken, you can cook the chicken flat and add the cheese on top later. Both methods work well.
STEP 2: SEASON THE CHICKEN
In a small bowl, mix together:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil.
Rub the seasoning evenly on all sides, including inside the pocket if you made one.
Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the seasoning to absorb into the meat.
STEP 3: ADD THE MOZZARELLA CHEESE
If stuffing the chicken:
- Fill each chicken pocket with mozzarella cheese.
- Press gently to close.
- If needed, secure with toothpicks to keep the cheese inside while cooking.
If topping instead:
- Do not add cheese yet.
- The cheese will be added later during cooking.
STEP 4: PREHEAT THE AIR FRYER
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
Preheating helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents sticking.
STEP 5: AIR FRY THE CHICKEN
Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
Cook at 375°F (190°C) for:
- 10 minutes on the first side
- Flip the chicken
- Cook another 6 to 8 minutes
If you are adding cheese on top instead of stuffing:
- Flip the chicken after 10 minutes
- Add mozzarella cheese on top
- Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until melted
The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
STEP 6: OPTIONAL SAUCE AND EXTRA CHEESE
For a mozzarella chicken parmesan style:
- Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce over the chicken during the last 2 minutes of cooking
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top
- Return to air fryer until bubbly and melted
STEP 7: REST BEFORE SERVING
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
This keeps the juices inside the chicken and prevents the cheese from spilling out immediately.
INGREDIENTS
For the chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or sliced mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional but recommended)
Optional toppings and additions:
- 1/2 cup marinara or tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer (recommended but optional)
STEP 1: PREPARE THE CHICKEN
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and prevents excess moisture.
If the chicken breasts are thick, carefully slice each one horizontally to create a pocket. Do not cut all the way through. This pocket will hold the mozzarella cheese.
If you prefer not to stuff the chicken, you can cook the chicken flat and add the cheese on top later. Both methods work well.
STEP 2: SEASON THE CHICKEN
In a small bowl, mix together:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil.
Rub the seasoning evenly on all sides, including inside the pocket if you made one.
Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the seasoning to absorb into the meat.
STEP 3: ADD THE MOZZARELLA CHEESE
If stuffing the chicken:
- Fill each chicken pocket with mozzarella cheese.
- Press gently to close.
- If needed, secure with toothpicks to keep the cheese inside while cooking.
If topping instead:
- Do not add cheese yet.
- The cheese will be added later during cooking.
STEP 4: PREHEAT THE AIR FRYER
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
Preheating helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents sticking.
STEP 5: AIR FRY THE CHICKEN
Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
Cook at 375°F (190°C) for:
- 10 minutes on the first side
- Flip the chicken
- Cook another 6 to 8 minutes
If you are adding cheese on top instead of stuffing:
- Flip the chicken after 10 minutes
- Add mozzarella cheese on top
- Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until melted
The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
STEP 6: OPTIONAL SAUCE AND EXTRA CHEESE
For a mozzarella chicken parmesan style:
- Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce over the chicken during the last 2 minutes of cooking
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top
- Return to air fryer until bubbly and melted
STEP 7: REST BEFORE SERVING
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
This keeps the juices inside the chicken and prevents the cheese from spilling out immediately.
