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Delicious Chicken Parmesan Sliders on soft buns with melted cheese, marinara, and basil, one slider pulled open to show filling.
Reda

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Crispy air-fried chicken, tangy marinara, and gooey melted mozzarella are piled onto garlic butter-toasted buns. The ultimate party appetizer or fun family meal!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 325
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 12 slider-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray for the air fryer
For Assembly & Topping
  • 12 slider buns Hawaiian rolls work great
  • 1 cup marinara sauce your favorite brand
  • 1.5 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Baking Sheet
  • Shallow dishes (for breading)
  • Pastry brush

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. This helps the coating stick. Set up three shallow dishes for your breading station. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Working one piece at a time, dredge a chicken piece in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the Panko mixture, ensuring it's fully coated on all sides. Set the breaded chicken on a clean plate or baking sheet.
Air Fry the Chicken
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
  2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket (you will likely need to cook in 2-3 batches). Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with olive oil spray.
  3. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
Assemble the Sliders
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Without separating the individual rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire slab of slider buns in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the buns in a 9x13 inch baking dish or on a baking sheet.
  3. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the bottom buns. Arrange the cooked chicken cutlets on top of the sauce. Spoon a little more marinara over each piece of chicken. Sprinkle evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. Place the top half of the slider buns over the cheese.
Bake and Serve
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese.
  2. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the tops of the slider buns.
  3. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, and the tops of the buns are golden brown and toasted. You can cover with foil for the first 5 minutes to prevent over-browning if needed.
  4. Let the sliders cool for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil, slicing into individual sliders, and serving immediately.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: You can bread and air fry the chicken up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat briefly in the air fryer to re-crisp before assembling the sliders.
No Air Fryer? You can pan-fry the chicken in a skillet with a shallow layer of oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
Storage: Leftover sliders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.