If you've ever been to the North East, you'll know exactly what's happening here. A crispy breaded chicken fillet smothered in rich béchamel-style sauce, buried under molten cheese, then served alongside a mountain of chips that's almost certainly bigger than necessary. Nobody has ever looked at a Parmo and thought: "That seems sensible." And that's exactly why they're brilliant.
You’ll Need
2 chicken breast fillets
80g plain flour, 40g cornflour, 2 eggs, beaten
100g panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Oil spray, 400g frozen thick-cut fries
Parmo Sauce
25g butter, 25g plain flour, 250ml milk
50g grated cheddar, ½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper
To Finish
150g grated mozzarella, 50g grated cheddar
Optional but Dangerous
Garlic sauce, Chilli sauce, Jalapeños
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.
Flatten the chicken breasts slightly so they cook evenly.
Mix together the flour, cornflour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Dip each chicken breast into the beaten egg.
Coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
Dip back into the egg.
Finish in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing firmly so the coating sticks.
Lightly spray the basket with oil.
Place the chicken into the basket and spray the tops lightly with oil.
Air fry at 200°C for 14–16 minutes, turning halfway, until golden, crispy, and cooked through.
Meanwhile cook the fries according to packet instructions until deeply golden and crisp.
For the Parmo sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously.
Add the cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook until smooth and thick.
Place the cooked chicken onto a foil tray.
Spread generously with the Parmo sauce.
Top with the mozzarella and cheddar.
Return to the air fryer at 180°C for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and lightly golden.
Pile the fries into a large serving tray.
Place the finished Parmo alongside.
Serve immediately while molten, crispy, and completely unreasonable.