Life with three energetic kids often feels like a beautiful, delicious whirlwind. Some nights, after homework battles and impromptu dance parties, I need dinner on the table fast. One particularly busy Tuesday, I gazed into the refrigerator, seeing thin chicken cutlets.
My trusty air fryer seemed to whisper possibilities. That night, these incredibly crispy air fryer chicken cutlets transformed dinner. My usually picky middle child, Maya, actually asked for seconds!
Ever since, these amazing air fryer chicken cutlets have become a treasured family favorite. They are undeniably simple, unbelievably quick, and everyone devours them. Truly, making perfect air fryer chicken cutlets is now my weeknight superpower.
Table of Contents
air fryer chicken cutlets
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These incredibly crispy air fryer chicken cutlets are a simple, quick, and universally loved weeknight meal. Perfect for busy families, they are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and a healthier option requiring minimal oil. This recipe is a game-changer, ensuring delicious chicken cutlets without heating up your whole kitchen.
Ingredients
4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets (1.5 lbs total)
1/2 cup All-purpose flour
2 Large eggs
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp Onion powder
1/2 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
As needed Olive oil spray
Instructions
- First, pat your chicken cutlets very dry with paper towels. This promotes crispiness for your air fryer chicken cutlets
- Next, prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, combine flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. In the second, whisk eggs. In the third, mix panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper
- Then, dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg, letting excess drip. Finally, press it firmly into the panko mixture, ensuring a complete coating for your air fryer chicken cutlets
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray. Arrange the breaded air fryer chicken cutlets in a single layer, without crowding. You may need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the air fryer chicken cutlets generously with olive oil spray. Cook for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C)
Notes
These chicken cutlets are quick to make, crispy on the outside, juicy inside, require minimal oil, and are a healthier option.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in a single layer in batches if necessary for even cooking and crispiness.
Spray generously with olive oil on both sides for a super crispy, golden crust.
Pat chicken cutlets very dry before dredging to ensure breading sticks and crisps.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until crispy; avoid microwave reheating.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
Flavor variations include adding Italian seasoning, dried herbs, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumbs.
Serve with sides like green beans, a garden salad, roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, rice, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
For thicker chicken breasts, butterfly or pound them thin.
Chicken can be breaded a few hours ahead and stored on a wire rack in the fridge, but for best crispiness, cook immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 16 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 air fryer chicken cutlet
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chicken, air fryer, cutlets, crispy, quick, weeknight, family-friendly, dinner
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE AIR FRYER CHICKEN CUTLETS
This recipe for air fryer chicken cutlets is a game-changer. You will love how quickly these recipes come together. They are crispy on the outside, incredibly juicy inside.
Moreover, these recipes require minimal oil, making them a healthier choice. It is also a fantastic way to cook chicken cutlets without heating up your whole kitchen. These simple air fryer chicken cutlets are perfect for busy weeknights.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets | 4 (about 1.5 lbs total) |
| All-purpose flour | 1/2 cup |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Panko breadcrumbs | 1 cup |
| Parmesan cheese (grated) | 1/4 cup |
| Garlic powder | 1 tsp |
| Onion powder | 1/2 tsp |
| Paprika | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1/2 tsp |
| Olive oil spray | As needed |
SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
You can easily adapt these recipes. For instance, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version of air fryer chicken cutlets. Swap regular breadcrumbs for panko for extra crispiness in your air fryer chicken cutlets.
Try adding Italian seasoning or dried herbs to the breadcrumb mixture for different flavors in your air fryer chicken cutlets. A pinch of cayenne pepper also adds a nice kick to these air-fried chicken cutlets.
If you enjoy adapting recipes to elevate your meals, consider how these easy air fryer chicken cutlets can inspire a full meal. For a perfect companion that’s just as simple and delicious, try our Easy Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Bread.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Creating perfect air fryer chicken cutlets is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for delicious chicken cutlets in the air fryer.
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.
Prepare the chicken
First, pat your chicken cutlets very dry with paper towels. This promotes crispiness for your air fryer chicken cutlets.
Set up dredging stations
Next, prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, combine flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. In the second, whisk eggs. In the third, mix panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
Coat the cutlets
Then, dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg, letting excess drip. Finally, press it firmly into the panko mixture, ensuring a complete coating for your air fryer chicken.
Air fry
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray. Arrange the breaded air fryer chicken cutlets in a single layer, without crowding.
You may need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the air fryer chicken cutlets generously with olive oil spray. Cook for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). These crispy air fryer chicken cutlets cook quickly.
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Don’t overcrowd the basket
Always cook air fryer chicken cutlets in a single layer. Overcrowding prevents even cooking and crisping. For more recipes, cook in batches.
Spray generously
A good spray of olive oil on both sides helps these air fryer chicken cutlets get super crispy. This is key for truly golden recipes.
Pat dry for crispiness
Ensure chicken cutlets are very dry before dredging. Excess moisture prevents the breading from sticking and getting crispy. This makes the best air fryer chicken cutlets.
Check internal temperature
Use a meat thermometer to confirm your air fryer chicken cutlets reach 165°F (74°C). This ensures safe and perfectly cooked recipes.
Applying these expert tips ensures your air fryer chicken cutlets turn out perfectly crispy every time. These techniques are also incredibly useful for mastering other delicate proteins, such as our incredible Air Fryer Lobster Tail Recipe.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS
Leftover air fryer chicken cutlets are still delicious. Store cooled air fryer chicken cutlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat air fryer chicken cutlets, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, until heated through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, which can make these recipes soggy.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE
These versatile air fryer chicken cutlets pair beautifully with many sides.
Fresh green beans or a simple garden salad are wonderful with these recipes. Roasted asparagus also complements the air fryer chicken cutlets well.
Additionally, my kids love these air fryer chicken cutlets with mashed potatoes or rice. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished air fryer chicken cutlets brightens the flavors beautifully.
While these air fryer chicken cutlets are incredibly versatile with many side dishes, sometimes you want something truly special to complete your meal. For an impressive yet healthy accompaniment that cooks right in your air fryer, check out our recipe for Healthy Mini Air Fryer Blooming Onions.
FAQS
Can i use thicker chicken breasts for this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe?
No, thicker chicken breasts will not cook evenly in the same time. This recipe for air fryer chicken cutlets specifically calls for thin cutlets. For thicker breasts, either butterfly them or pound them thin for optimal results with air fryer chicken cutlets.
Can i prepare the air fryer chicken cutlets ahead of time?
You can bread the air fryer chicken cutlets a few hours in advance. Store them uncovered on a wire rack in the fridge to prevent sogginess. However, for the crispiest air fryer chicken cutlets, I recommend cooking them immediately after breading.
What if my air fryer chicken cutlets aren’t getting crispy?
Ensure you are not overcrowding the basket. Also, spray the air fryer chicken cutlets generously with olive oil spray before and during cooking. A dry chicken cutlet and enough oil are crucial for crispy air fryer chicken cutlets.
Air frying has revolutionized home cooking, offering a healthier way to achieve crispy textures with significantly less oil than traditional deep frying. This popular appliance uses hot circulating air to cook food, making it ideal for dishes like these flavorful chicken cutlets while keeping them moist inside. For more on this innovative cooking method, delve into the science and history of the air fryer.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
This nutrition information is an estimate for one air fryer chicken cutlet.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 35g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 450mg |