Air Fried Lemon Herb Chicken Mozzarella Bake
Air Fried Lemon Herb Chicken Mozzarella Bake
Ingredients
For the Air Fried Chicken
- 2 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/2 small onion, finely minced
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Mozzarella Topping
- 1 crushed tomatoes, 28-ounce can
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your Ninja Air Fryer to 375°F. If your air fryer requires preheating, allow it to run for 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or a heavy pan, pound the chicken to an even 1/2 inch thickness. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced small onion, minced garlic, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bowl and toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the herb mixture.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is mostly cooked through and lightly golden. The internal temperature should be around 155-160°F.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 5
Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and set aside. Pour the crushed tomatoes into the bottom of the air fryer basket (or into an air-fryer safe dish that fits inside your basket), spreading them evenly. Arrange the partially cooked chicken breasts over the layer of crushed tomatoes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Evenly distribute the sliced or shredded fresh mozzarella cheese over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Return the air fryer basket (or dish) to the air fryer. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer. Let the Air Fried Lemon Herb Chicken Mozzarella Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with the additional 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Air Fried Lemon Herb Chicken Mozzarella Bake
Ingredients
For the Air Fried Chicken
- 2 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/2 small onion, finely minced
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Mozzarella Topping
- 1 crushed tomatoes, 28-ounce can
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your Ninja Air Fryer to 375°F. If your air fryer requires preheating, allow it to run for 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or a heavy pan, pound the chicken to an even 1/2 inch thickness. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced small onion, minced garlic, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bowl and toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the herb mixture.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is mostly cooked through and lightly golden. The internal temperature should be around 155-160°F.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 5
Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and set aside. Pour the crushed tomatoes into the bottom of the air fryer basket (or into an air-fryer safe dish that fits inside your basket), spreading them evenly. Arrange the partially cooked chicken breasts over the layer of crushed tomatoes.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Evenly distribute the sliced or shredded fresh mozzarella cheese over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Return the air fryer basket (or dish) to the air fryer. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer. Let the Air Fried Lemon Herb Chicken Mozzarella Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with the additional 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro.
⏱️ 5 min