Keto Chicken Pesto Parmigiana

Name: Keto Chicken Pesto Parmigiana (Air Fryer, 52g Protein)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 33 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Keto
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (5 oz / 142 g each), pounded ¼ inch thick; 2 large eggs; 1 tbsp water; Fine sea salt and black pepper; 1 cup powdered parmesan (about 3 oz / 85 g); 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 cup pesto; 1 cup shredded mozzarella (about 4 oz / 113 g); Avocado oil spray; Fresh basil and halved grape tomatoes, to serve (optional)

Air Fryer, 52g Protein

Keto chicken pesto parmigiana with melted mozzarella

Chicken breasts breaded in parmesan instead of breadcrumbs, air fried until golden, then topped with pesto and melted mozzarella.

4Serves
10 minprep
23 mincook
400°Fair fryer
serving(est.): 631 kcal, 52g protein, 45g fat, 4g carbs or less after fiber

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By A1 Keto · 64,000+ subscribers cook along on YouTube

Why this works

Chicken parm with no breadcrumbs. The coating is powdered parmesan and Italian seasoning, air fried until golden, then each piece gets a spoonful of pesto and a blanket of mozzarella.

Keto chicken pesto parmigiana with melted mozzarella

Pound the chicken to an even ¼ inch so it cooks through before the crust gets too dark.

The recipe

Keto Chicken Pesto Parmigiana

Serves 4 · 10 min prep · 23 min cook · 400°F air fryer · per serving (est.): about 631 kcal, 52g protein, 45g fat, 4g carbs or less after fiber

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Ingredients

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Method

01
Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil and heat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
02
Whisk the eggs with the water and a pinch of salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Mix the parmesan and Italian seasoning in a second dish.
03
Season the chicken on both sides. Dip each piece in the egg, let the extra drip off, then press both sides into the parmesan mix. Spray with oil and place in the basket.
04
Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 165°F (74°C) inside.
05
Top each piece with ¼ cup pesto and the mozzarella, then air fry 3 more minutes, until the cheese melts. Finish with basil and serve with tomatoes on the side if you like.

Good to know

Powdered parmesan sticks best. Finely grated works; shreds fall off.

Check your pesto. Pick one with no added sugar.

About the photo. It shows a little tomato sauce under the cheese. It's optional and not in the numbers.

Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 400°F (204°C) air fryer for about 5 minutes.

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Questions

Before you start

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes. Boneless thighs work the same way.

Can I add marinara?

Yes, a spoonful of marinara with no added sugar under the pesto. It isn't in the numbers.

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