These air fryer chicken cutlets are perfect for a quick, delicious dinner. They’re juicy and feature a delightfully crisp, golden brown breading.
They’re also wonderfully easy to make.
Just dry them, pound them flat, bread them, and pop them in the air fryer. It’ll do all the rest.
What Is a Chicken Cutlet?
Air fryer chicken cutlets are the best of all worlds.
They’re tender and juicy, with crunchy, crispy breadcrumbs on the outside. What’s not to love?
But before you can make them, you need to know what they are!
A chicken cutlet is an extremely thin piece of boneless chicken breast. Typically, it’s a chicken breast that’s been halved and pounded flat.
You can buy them pre-sliced and flattened or do it yourself.
Because of their thin size, they cook quickly and easily but are still extremely juicy and tender.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need for this recipe:
- Chicken cutlets – As mentioned, you can buy cutlets at the store or make them yourself. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Flour – All-purpose is fine. It’s part of the coating that makes the chicken extra crispy.
- Seasonings – This recipe uses a mixture of garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt, and pepper. It gives the chicken an earthy, garlicky, umami taste. You can, however, tweak the seasoning blend to suit your tastes.
- Eggs – They’re the binding agent that holds the seasonings on.
- Cooking spray – Spray the basket to prevent sticking. Also, spray the chicken immediately before cooking to get the best golden-brown color. Olive oil spray works best.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Follow these steps to prepare and cook your chicken cutlets:
1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Cut the chicken breasts into four chicken cutlets. Be sure to flatten them with a mallet or rolling pin, as well.
2. Set out and fill the three bowls to dip the chicken in. The first will hold the flour and seasonings. The second will hold the beaten eggs, and the third will hold the breadcrumbs.
3. Bread the cutlets. Dredge the cutlets in the flour, coating both sides. Then, dip them in the eggs and press them into the breadcrumbs. Coat both sides evenly with all ingredients.
4. Cook the cutlets. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Then, arrange the chicken in the basket and spray the tops. Cook them for 5 minutes, then flip, spray, and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
5. Rest and serve. Move the cutlets from the basket to a clean plate. Let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, serve and enjoy!
Oh, and while you have the air fryer out and hot, why not serve this chicken with some crunchy air fryer fried green tomatoes?!
Tips for the Best Chicken Cutlets
Here are a few of my favorite chicken cutlet-cooking tips:
- Batches are best. It’s better to cook in two separate batches than let the chicken overlap.
- Amp up the flavor. Instead of adding the seasonings to the flour, rub them directly onto the chicken cutlets. Let them rest for 15 minutes to soak in the flavors. Then, coat them in the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
- Get cheesy. Mix grated parmesan with the breadcrumbs.
- Keep things even Steven. Cut them alike and pound them into the same level of thickness. Similar-sized cutlets cook more evenly.
- Pay close attention! Remember! Chicken cutlets are super thin and cook more quickly than other types of chicken. Monitor the air-frying process closely to prevent burning.
- Bust out the thermometer. The only way to truly know when the chicken is done is to check its internal temperature. The reading should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Store
Here are your options for storing leftover chicken cutlets:
To Store: Let the cutlets cool completely. Then, transfer them to an air-tight container and refrigerate them for 3 to 5 days. Discard immediately if the chicken smells or looks “off.”
To Freeze: Place fully cooled cutlets in a freezer-safe air-tight container. Freeze for up to 1 month.
To Reheat: Let frozen cutlets thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat chilled cutlets in the air fryer for 7 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for more air fryer dinner recipes? Try one of these:
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Air Fryer Quesadillas
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Course: Main CourseCuisine: American4
servings10
minutes10
minutesThese air fryer chicken cutlets come out perfectly crispy every time. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a delicious dinner the family will love.
Ingredients
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or Italian-style)
olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Halve the breasts lengthwise, cutting them into four separate cutlets. Ensure each one is thin and flat by covering it with plastic wrap and pounding it with a mallet or rolling pin. Each should be no more than 1/4-inch thick.
- Combine the flour, garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Then, crack and beat the eggs in a second bowl. Finally, pour the breadcrumbs into a third.
- Press the cutlets into the flour. Thoroughly cover both sides. Then, dip each cutlet in the beaten egg until they’re well coated. Lastly, press the chicken into the breadcrumbs to coat both sides.
- Use olive oil spray to lightly spray the basket. Then, place the chicken in a single layer at the bottom of the basket. Spray the tops of the cutlets with additional spray and cook them for 5 minutes.
- Use tongs to flip each chicken cutlet. Spray them with the olive oil spray and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes. When ready, they should be golden brown and 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Transfer the chicken from the air fryer to a clean plate. Let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, serve with desired sides and enjoy!
