You are going to love these crispy air fryer chicken cutlets. Versatile and much healthier than their fried counterparts, these cutlets boast a satisfying crunch without the excess oil. In just a few minutes, enjoy a guilt-free meal that's both flavorful and convenient.
Growing up, pan-fried breaded chicken cutlets were a staple in my household, offering a comforting and versatile meal option. Whether paired with creamy mashed potatoes, tangled in a nest of spaghetti, or sandwiched between two slices of bread, these cutlets were a family favorite. Despite my love for their crispy exterior and tender interior, I couldn't overlook the fact that they weren't the healthiest choice.
Chicken cutlets cooked in the air fryer are a healthier alternative that doesn't sacrifice any of the taste or crispy texture. And they aren't drowning in excess grease. Not only do these air fryer chicken cutlets satisfy my cravings, but they also offer a cleaner and more wholesome approach to enjoying this classic dish. It's a win-win situation, with less mess in the kitchen and a lighter feeling in my body after indulging in a delicious meal.
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Ingredients
- Egg – Egg will help the breading layer to stick.
- Bread Crumbs – Panko breadcrumbs provide a light and crispy texture. If you don't have Panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers as alternatives.
- Salt – Salt enhances the flavor of the chicken. You can adjust the amount to your taste preference.
- Ground Pepper – Pepper adds a subtle kick to the breading mixture. You can use freshly ground black pepper or ground white pepper as a substitute.
- Italian seasoning – Italian seasoning blend typically includes a mix of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. If you don't have Italian seasoning on hand, you can use a combination of these dried herbs individually or substitute with dried basil or oregano.
- Garlic powder – Garlic powder adds a savory flavor to the breading.
- Onion powder – Onion powder provides a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Chicken cutlets – Thin-sliced chicken breasts cook quickly and evenly. If you can't find pre-sliced cutlets, you can purchase boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them horizontally to create thinner pieces or pound the cutlets with a meat mallet. They should all be about even thickness for best results when cooking.
- Olive oil – Use your favorite light, neutral-flavored oil.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. In another shallow bowl mix together bread crumbs, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder.
2. Dip each raw chicken cutlet into the egg mixture then the panko bread crumbs mixture until all are coated. Lightly brush both sides of the breaded cutlets with with olive oil.
3. Place the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer in your air fryer basket or rack. (Cook in batches if necessary). Air fry the cutlets for 15 to 20 minutes or until the outsides are golden brown, turning once in between cooking.
4. Check for doneness. Remove cutlets from air fryer and cool. Serve on top of a salad, with sauces or side dishes or in a sandwich.
Hint: Lightly brush both sides of the cutlets with with olive oil for a golden, crispy coating.
Variations/ Substitutions
- Gluten Free - Replace the panko with gluten free panko or breadcrumbs.
- Cheesy – Mix grated Parmesan cheese with the Panko breadcrumbs for an extra layer of flavor and richness.
- Spicy – Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
- Mustard – Instead of using egg, brush the chicken with a mixture of honey and Dijon mustard before coating with breadcrumbs for a sweet and tangy glaze.
Equipment
When choosing your perfect fryer, consider the size - from compact models for solo cooks to larger ones for family feasts. You'll also find different types, like basket-style or oven-style air fryers. Think about your kitchen space and cooking needs to determine the size of your air fryer. Look for features such as temperature control and preset cooking modes to make your life easier.
Storage
Storing and reheating crispy chicken cutlets is a breeze! Allow the leftover cutlets to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
The air fryer is a fantastic option for reheating - simply preheat it to 350 degrees F, place the cutlets in the basket, and heat for about 3-5 minutes until they're warmed through and crispy again. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a conventional oven at the same temperature for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. For a quick fix, you can also use the microwave, but the cutlets won't get as crispy.
Top Tips
- For even cooking and maximum crispiness, slice your chicken breasts into thin cutlets. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure they cook evenly.
- Just like with traditional frying, preheating your air fryer helps create that crispy exterior.
- Dip the chicken cutlets in beaten egg or a mixture of egg before coating them in breadcrumbs. This helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken and creates a crispy crust. You don't need a thick layer of breadcrumbs.
- Panko breadcrumbs tend to be crunchier than regular breadcrumbs.
- Arrange the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overlapping. This allows hot air to circulate around each cutlet, ensuring even cooking and crispy results.
- Cook in batches if needed.
- Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
- Before air frying, lightly brush or spray the chicken cutlets with oil. This helps promote browning and adds extra crispiness to the exterior of the chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken cutlets. They should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
FAQs
You can bread your cutlets and freeze them for later use but I find that the cooking can be uneven. I recommend thawing your chicken completely. The pieces are thin and thaw pretty quickly.
To prevent the breading from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly brush or spray the chicken with cooking oil. Or line your air fryer rack or basket with special parchment paper made for air fryers. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the breading to stick to neighboring pieces.
You can make gluten-free chicken cutlets in the air fryer by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers as a coating. Ensure all other ingredients used, such as seasonings and sauces, are also gluten-free.
The exact cooking time will depend on how thick you slice your chicken cutlets. In most cases these will cook through in 15-20 minutes. For thinner cutlets, begin checking for doneness after about 8-10 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken cutlets are incredibly versatile and can be served with your favorite sides to suit any meal or occasion. Serve them as a main course alongside sides like angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, oven roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, or a crisp salad for a satisfying dinner. You can also use them to make sandwiches, wraps, or sliders for a quick and tasty lunch.
For a more elegant presentation, top the chicken cutlets with a flavorful sauce like marinara, lemon butter, or mushroom cream sauce. And don't forget the dipping sauce! Chicken cutlets can be dipped in Creamy Homemade Garlic Dipping Sauce, Easy Pineapple BBQ Sauce, or Homemade Big Mac Sauce (Easy McDonald's Copycat Recipe).
More Chicken Air Fryer Recipes
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If you like this chicken cutlets cooked in the air fryer recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 teapoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teasopoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ pounds thin chicken breast cutlets (about 6)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for lightly brushing or spraying on chicken
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees (if you have the air fryer that needs preheating).
- In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. In another shallow bowl mix together bread crumbs, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder. Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg mixture then the bread crumb mixture until all are coated. Lightly brush both sides of the cutlets with with olive oil.
- Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer in your air fryer basket or rack. (Cook in batches if necessary). Air fry the cutlets for 15 to 20 minutes or until the outsides are golden brown, turning once in between cooking. To check with a meat thermometer, the internal temp of cutlets should reach 165 degrees and there should be no pink inside.
- Remove cutlets from air fryer and cool. Serve on top of a salad, with sauces or side dishes or in sa sandwich.
Nutrition
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Mikayla says
Who doesn't like and easy and quick recipe, the chicken was perfectly crispy and moist! Great flavor too!
Giangi Townsend says
Thank you for your crispy, light, and flavorful recipe. It was my first attempt to use my new air fryer, and it was a success. I cannot wait to try another recipe now.
Debbie says
I am always looking for new ways to use my air fryer and I loved these chicken cutlets made in it . They turn out nice and crisp on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside . It was so easy and eliminates the mess from frying them.
veenaazmanov says
Simple and easy . Healthy option of Air Fryer cooking sounds good. This looks so crispy.
Alexandra says
I recently started using an air fryer and was so excited to come across this recipe - the chicken came out cooked perfectly and I loved the seasonings. So golden and delicious!
Dennis says
My chicken cutlets came out perfectly in my air fryer, thanks to your easy-to-follow instructions! Thanks for another delicious recipe!
Colleen says
I used gluten-free panko and the chicken cutlets turned out perfectly. I'll be making them again for sure. Thank you!
Cathleen says
Wow, what CAN'T the air fryer do?? This looks so good, I am excited to give it a go tomorrow 🙂
Veronika says
I love fried chicken but all that excess oil always messes up my digestion. These cutlers were so good! Just as crispy as fried and I feel so much lighter!