Air Fryer Instructions:

1. Make marinara {optional}: If using my homemade 4-ingredient low FODMAP marinara sauce, prepare a full batch. This can be done a day in advance to make cooking faster the day-of.
2. Prepare pans: If using an Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer (what I use), place cooking trays on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. If using an air fryer without removable cooking trays, spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and then the air fryer pan after preheating.
3. Prepare chicken breasts: Dry chicken breasts with paper towels and slice in half horizontally (see photo under “Prepare Chicken Breasts” section above for clarity). If desired, pound each half until all halves are even in thickness. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare breading: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together panko, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until combined. Set bowl aside.
5. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and garlic-infused olive oil until combined.
6. Bread chicken breasts: Designate your left hand as your “egg bowl hand” and your right hand as your “breading bowl hand.” Using your left hand, dip a chicken breast half into egg, shaking off the excess into the bowl without being obsessive. Place into the breading bowl, using your right hand to cover it with breading, shaking off the excess into the bowl. Place back into egg bowl, repeating the previous steps until all halves have been dipped twice in egg and breading. Place fully breaded halves on prepared air fryer cooking trays or baking sheet. Use any excess breading to fill in any holes in the breading. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
7. Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. If you haven’t already done so, spray air fryer pan with cooking spray. Place breaded chicken in the air fryer and air fry for 10 minutes, flipping (and rotating the pans if using an Instant Vortex Plus) with a spatula halfway through, or until an instant read thermometer reads 160°F when inserted into the thickest part of the thickest chicken breast (temp will rise to 165°F once removed). Chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safely consumed.
8. Add toppings: Top each chicken breast with 3-4 tablespoons of the marinara sauce sauce and ¼ cup of the shredded mozzarella. Air fry for 3 minutes more or until cheese is melted and starting to brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches.
9. Serve: serve with an additional ¼ cup sauce (for a low FODMAP serving if sensitive to fructose) over your favorite low FODMAP spaghetti noodles (I like brown rice spaghetti – up to 1 cup for low FODMAP if sensitive to fructans), low FODMAP polenta, or if eating low carb/grain-free: spaghetti squash (up to ½ cup for low FODMAP if sensitive to fructans), hearts of palm noodles, or shirataki noodles (Miracle noodles).

Oven Instructions:

1. Make marinara {optional}: If using my homemade 4-ingredient low FODMAP marinara sauce, prepare a full batch. This can be done a day in advance to make cooking faster the day-of.
2. Preheat: Preheat oven to 400°F and place oven rack on 2nd rung from the top. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. Prepare chicken breasts: Dry chicken breasts with paper towels and slice in half horizontally (see photo under “Prepare Chicken Breasts” section above for clarity). If desired, pound each half until all halves are even in thickness. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare breading: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together panko, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until combined. Set bowl aside.
5. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and garlic-infused olive oil until combined.
6. Bread chicken breasts: Designate your left hand as your “egg bowl hand” and your right hand as your “breading bowl hand.” Using your left hand, dip a chicken breast half into egg, shaking off the excess into the bowl without being obsessive. Place into the breading bowl, using your right hand to cover it with breading, shaking off the excess into the bowl. Place back into egg bowl, repeating the previous steps until all halves have been dipped twice in egg and breading. Place fully breaded halves on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake: Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, flipping with a spatula halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F per an instant read thermometer when inserted into the thickest part of the thickest chicken breast (temp will rise to 165°F once removed). Chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safely consumed.
8. Add toppings: Top each with 3-4 tablespoons of the marinara sauce and ¼ cup of the shredded mozzarella and broil until cheese is melted and starting to brown, 2-4 minutes.
9. Serve: serve immediately with an additional ¼ cup marinara sauce (for a low FODMAP serving if sensitive to fructose) over your favorite low FODMAP spaghetti noodles (I like brown rice spaghetti – up to 1 cup for low FODMAP if sensitive to fructans), low FODMAP polenta, or if eating low carb/grain-free: spaghetti squash (up to ½ cup for low FODMAP if sensitive to fructans), hearts of palm noodles, or shirataki noodles (Miracle noodles).