Enjoy a quick, healthy meal with these Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets! Perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside, they're ideal for topping salads or stuffing sandwiches. Cut down on oil without sacrificing flavor in this easy-to-follow recipe.
Jump to:
- What Is A Chicken Cutlet?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Ingredients
- How To Cut Chicken Breasts Into Cutlets
- How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Expert Tips
- How To Serve Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Storage
- How To Reheat Chicken Cutlets In The Air Fryer?
- Your Questions Answered
- More Chicken Recipes You'll Love:
- Recipe
I love cooking chicken in the Air fryer because they come out so good. So if you're looking to whip up a quick and scrumptious meal that's healthy and tasty you should try this Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets recipe!
These chicken cutlets cooked in the Air fryer have that deep-fried goodness without the extra oil. It's not only healthier but also quick and easy to make. So, whether you're after a simple dinner or planning a sandwich-stuffing feast, you can't go wrong with these mouth-watering Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets!
For more air fryer chicken recipes, check my Air Fryer Recipe Collection.
What Is A Chicken Cutlet?
Wondering what a chicken cutlet is? A chicken cutlet is simply a chicken breast that's been sliced into thinner pieces.
These pieces are then typically breaded and cooked until crispy and golden. It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, providing a satisfying crunch and a hearty burst of protein.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Here are a few reasons that you'll be obsessed with this air-fried chicken cutlets recipe:
- Healthy - By using an air fryer, you're reducing the amount of oil compared to traditional frying, making it a healthier option.
- Delicious - Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. What's not to love?
- Versatile - It's not just a main dish; it can also be a filling for sandwiches or a topping for salads.
- Quick and Easy - With minimal prep time and easy clean-up, it's the perfect recipe for those busy weekday dinners.
- Family-friendly - A meal the whole family will enjoy, from kids to adults.
Ingredients
*Scroll down to the recipe card for ingredient measurements.
Chicken breasts: make sure that you use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If thinly sliced chicken breasts are available in your local grocery store, you can definitely use that. If not, I'll teach you how to slice your chicken breasts below.
Flour: you can use regular white all-purpose flour for this recipe.
Eggs: help stick the breadcrumbs.
Seasoned breadcrumbs: I use store-bought but you can make your own. Check the question section below.
Salt and Pepper: for added flavor.
How To Cut Chicken Breasts Into Cutlets
The best way to cut chicken breasts into cutlets is to use a sharp knife. Lay the breast on the cutting board and slice each breast horizontally into 3 thin slices.
Tip: To make it easier to slice the chicken breast into thin cutlets, place the chicken breast in the freezer for about 1 hour.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
*Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
Prep: Pat the chicken slices dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken on all sides.
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs. Make a breading station by having flour and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls.
Bread chicken: Grab a chicken slice and dip it into the flour. Shake to remove excess. Then dip in the beaten eggs, making sure to cover all sides. Then transfer to the breadcrumbs mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly. Place breaded chicken cutlet on a baking sheet.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Working in batches, add the chicken cutlet to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray each slice with cooking oil. Cook for 5 minutes.
Flip: Flip the chicken cutlets and spray cooking oil on that side. Cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
Garnish: Remove the chicken cutlets from the air fryer and let them rest. Top with chopped parsley, serve with side dishes and enjoy.
*Air fryers come in different sizes and models, and you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Expert Tips
- Preheat: Always preheat your air fryer. Just like an oven, this ensures even cooking and helps to achieve that perfect crispy coating.
- Don't Overcrowd: Avoid overlapping or piling up chicken cutlets in the fryer basket. They need space for the hot air to circulate and cook them evenly.
- Flip 'em: Halfway through the cooking time, flip the cutlets. This ensures they cook evenly on both sides.
- Spray: Spray with olive oil cooking spray on both sides to get the deep-fried flavor.
- Check the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken cutlets reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures they're cooked safely.
- Let it Rest: After cooking, allow the cutlets to rest for a few minutes. This helps to lock in the juices, making your cutlets moist and tender.
- Use a meat mallet: To thin out the chicken breasts, you can use a mallet to flatten it out.
- Make your gluten-free breadcrumbs: If you want to make this a gluten-free dish, you can make your own breadcrumbs by adding pork rinds or another gluten-free coating to a sealable bag and then crushing with a rolling pin.
How To Serve Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
These crispy chicken cutlets pair well with many different side dishes. Try serving them topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, with a fresh salad, or with some of my favorites below.
Storage
Storing your air fryer chicken cutlets properly ensures that they stay delicious for your next meal! Simply let the chicken cutlets cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze them! Just wrap each cutlet individually in freezer paper or plastic wrap before placing them all in a freezer bag. They'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat Chicken Cutlets In The Air Fryer?
Reheating your leftover chicken cutlets in the air fryer is a breeze. Simply preheat your air fryer to 375°F, place the cutlets in the basket, and heat for 3-4 minutes until they're hot and crispy. Remember not to overcrowd the basket to ensure they heat evenly!
Your Questions Answered
Make sure that you are coating the entire piece of chicken with egg so that the added ingredients will stick well. If there isn't enough moisture, the breading will fall off during the cooking process.
Of course, but be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read 165 degrees F, indicating that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken cutlets and the model of your air fryer. However, a good rule of thumb is to air fry them at 400°F (200°C) for around 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Just remember to check whether they're done using a meat thermometer or by ensuring the juices run clear when the thickest part is cut.
Absolutely! If you only have regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs on hand, you can easily season them yourself. Just add a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, to the breadcrumbs, and you're good to go!
More Chicken Recipes You'll Love:
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Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts thinly sliced in 3 cutlets
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs*
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start by patting the chicken slices dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until well beaten. Make a breading station by having flour and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls.
- Dip each chicken slice in flour and shake the slice to remove the excess flour. Then dip in the beaten eggs, making sure to cover all sides. Then transfer the chicken breast to the breadcrumbs mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly. Place breaded chicken cutlet on a baking sheet.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place chicken cutlet in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray each slice with cooking oil. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken cutlets and spray cooking oil on that side. Cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the chicken cutlets from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley.
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