Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
These air fryer chicken cutlets are about to be your favorite way of cooking breaded chicken. Tender and juicy thin chicken breast coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, cooked in the air fryer until crispy and golden brown. This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. Best of all, it is ready under 30 minutes.
Why you will love it
- Say no to the unnecessary calories that come with frying breaded chicken. Cooking them in the air fryer with a little oil spray will give them the same crunchy, crispy texture and tender chicken as if you have deep-fried them, but without all the extra fat.
- The whole process is easy and quick. You can have this crispy and delicious breaded chicken cutlets from your air fryer to your table in 30 minutes, depending on how quickly you work in the kitchen.
- You can season the chicken however you like. I used my homemade all purpose seasoning, which is great with chicken for this recipe. You can try it out or any of my other homemade seasonings. This peri peri seasoning is also fantastic, and for something herby, try my roast potato seasoning. They are all so good and not because I made them myself.
Tools needed
Air fryer: this recipe was tested in Cosori 5.5L (1700W) air fryer
Shallow bowls, preferably large ones
Measuring cup
Ingredients
Chicken cutlets: skinless boneless chicken breast thinly sliced
All-purpose seasoning: I used my homemade seasoning. However, you can use any seasoning of choice
Eggs
Panko breadcrumbs: Substitute with regular breadcrumbs
Flour: I used all-purpose flour
Garlic granules: Substitute with garlic powder
Salt and black pepper
How to make air fryer chicken cutlets
Cut 2 large chicken breasts into cutlets lengthwise if you haven’t done so already, pat the chicken dry, and season with salt. You may need to pound the chicken if need be so that they can all have the same thickness.
Make a breading station: Get 3 shallow bowls, in the 1st one, add flour, in the 2nd one crack in the eggs and whisk to combine. In the 3rd bowl, add panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper and mix to combine.
Working on one cutlet at a time, dredge the chicken on both sides in the flour and shake off excess flour, making sure all areas are covered. Next, dip the floured cutlet into the eggs, making sure all areas are coated, remove the chicken from the egg and let the excess drip off. Finally, place the chicken in panko crumbs and press down to make sure they stick, do this on both sides.
Place the breaded chicken cutlets on a dry plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken.
Preheat the air fryer to 190C/385F for 3-5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Arrange the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket, spacing them out. I can only cook 2 at a time in my Cosori 5.5L (1700W) air fryer. Generously, spray the top of the chicken with cooking oil and air fry it for 12-15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
It is important that the chicken is fully cooked as well. When you cut into it, the juice should run clear and the inside should be white. The internal temperature of the chicken, when checked with an instant meat thermometer, should register 165F/74C to be considered safe to eat.
PS: Discard the flour and breadcrumbs mixture. You may fry and eat the egg immediately if you prefer.
What To Serve With Chicken Cutlets
Breaded chicken is versatile and can be served with anything and everything.
Serve as a healthy meal with a green salad
Marinara dipping sauce
Serve in between burger buns or soft baguettes.
How to store
Let the chicken cutlets cool down completely before transferring into an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat: you can reheat this chicken in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
Tips
- Bear in mind that the size of your air fryer will determine how many cutlets you can cook at a time and also depend on the size of the chicken.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or stack the chicken as that may make the breading on the chicken soggy.
- Use storebought seasoned breadcrumbs if you prefer.
- To make sure your chicken is nicely cooked and golden brown, spray it generously with cooking oil spray when you put it in the air fryer and again after turning halfway through.
FAQs
What is a chicken cutlets
A chicken cutlet is a chicken breast that has been cut in half lengthwise so it is thinner. It can also be sold as “thin sliced chicken breast”
What can I use instead of bread crumbs?
You could use Panko, crushed cereal (like Rice Krispies or Cornflakes), or even crackers (like Ritz).
Can I bake it in the oven instead of air frying
Yes, you can. Preheat your oven to 400F / 200 C). Place the breaded chicken cutlets on a greased nonstick baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp and the chicken fully cooked.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free
Yes, you can make it gluten-free using almond flour and coconut flour, however, you should note that you may likely not achieve the same crispiness as you would with panko. Also, almonds are a type of nut which may be an issue if you have nut-allergy. Alternatively, look out for gluten-free breadcrumbs or you can make some yourself at home using gluten-free bread.
How to bread chicken for frying
There are three stages to this procedure before you begin, and you’ll need a breading station to keep things running smoothly. Get 3 wide shallow bowls, the first bowl is for flour, the second for whisked egg, and the third for seasoned panko or plain breadcrumbs.
- coat the chicken cutlets in flour on both sides, then shake off any excess
- Dip the cutlet into the egg, then let the excess drip off.
- Press both sides of the cutlet in the breadcrumbs to make them stick. Lastly, bake, shallow fry or deep fry the breaded chicken cutlets
More air fryer recipes
Air fryer fried eggs (Via craving small bites)
Air fryer lamb chops (via Craving small bites)
Air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks
Air fryer potatoes and sausage with onion
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Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken cutlets skinless boneless chicken breast thinly sliced lenghtwise
- 1 ½ Tablespoon All-purpose seasoning
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs substitute with regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all flour
- ½ Tablespoon garlic granules substitute with garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut 2 large chicken breasts into cutlets lengthwise if you haven't done so already, pat the chicken dry, and season with salt. You may need to pound the chicken if need be so that they can all have the same thickness.
- Get 3 shallow bowls, in the 1st one, add flour, in the 2nd one crack in the eggs and whisk to combine. In the 3rd bowl, add panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper and mix to combine.
- Working on one cutlet at a time, dredge the chicken on both sides in the flour and shake off excess flour, making sure all areas are covered. Next, dip the floured cutlet into the eggs, making sure all areas are coated. Remove the chicken from the egg and let the excess drip off. Finally, place the chicken in panko crumbs and press down to make sure they stick; do this on both sides.
- Place the breaded chicken cutlets on a dry plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer at 190C/385F for 3-5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil
- Arrange the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket, spacing them out. Generously, spray the top of the chicken with cooking oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown flipping halfway through the cooking time.It is important that the chicken is fully cooked as well, when you cut into it, the juice should run clear and the inside should be white. The internal temperature of the chicken when checked with an instant meat thermometer should register 165F/74C to be considered safe to eat.
Notes
- Bear in mind that the size of your air fryer will determine how many cutlets you can cook at a time and also depend on the size of the chicken.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or stack the chicken as that may make the breading on the chicken soggy.
- Use storebought seasoned breadcrumbs if you prefer.
- To make sure your chicken is nicely cooked and golden brown, spray it generously with cooking oil spray when you put it in the air fryer and again after turning halfway through.
- Add about 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese to the seasoned breadcrumbs if you want for additional flavor.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
