The Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe
If you're on the hunt for an easy, crispy, and healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken, this Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe is about to become your new favorite! Perfectly golden and crisp on the outside with juicy, tender chicken on the inside, these cutlets are not only delicious but super quick to make. Plus, you’ll use way less oil than traditional frying methods, making this a much healthier choice.
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Why I Make This Recipe
This Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe is a go-to for so many reasons:
It’s easy to freeze — making it a great make-ahead option.
Super quick — less than 25 minutes to get the protein ready! I usually prep the side while the chicken is cooking in the air fryer for 10 minutes.
Minimal ingredients — it doesn’t get simpler than this.
Healthier than deep frying — you’ll use way less oil without sacrificing that crispy, golden brown texture.
Kid-friendly — perfect for picky eaters, especially when dipped in a tasty sauce.
Beginner-friendly — seriously, it’s hard to mess up!
I make my husband lunch every day for work (yes, I know that’s really cute). Here’s how I put it together: I start with a simple side salad using whatever greens we have — spinach, kale, romaine, arugula — and throw in some tomato, cucumber, and beets. The dressing goes in an airtight container on the side. I air fry some of these chicken cutlets the night before and slice them thinly to top his salad. I finish off his lunch with fresh fruit, trail mix, and peanut butter pretzels (or something along those lines).
My point? The chicken is the perfect addition to his lunch salad because it’s just SO EASY.
Where to Buy Your Chicken
If you’re after the best flavor and quality, go for pasture-raised, heirloom chicken from a trusted source. These chickens roam freely and are raised without antibiotics—so not only are they happier, they’re healthier too.
Trust me, the taste is next-level. Plus, pasture-raised chicken is typically packed with more omega-3s and vitamin A, so you’re getting extra goodness in every bite. And the best part? You can easily find these high-quality cuts from online retailers, with the bonus of having them delivered straight to your door. No excuses!
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets:
Chicken Cutlets: This recipe calls for 1.25 lb of chicken cutlets. If you’re using chicken breast, you can cut it into cutlets by slicing the breast horizontally into thinner pieces. Pat the chicken dry, then use a sharp knife to slice through the thickest part, keeping the knife parallel to the cutting board. If needed, pound the cutlets to an even thickness with a meat mallet. For convenience, you can also buy pre-sliced chicken cutlets at the store.
Eggs: Use 2 eggs, whisked in a shallow bowl to create an egg mixture. This helps the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the chicken and creates that golden crust during cooking.
Breadcrumbs: You’ll need 1 cup of breadcrumbs for this recipe. Both regular breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs work well. If you’re aiming for a crispier texture, opt for panko bread crumbs.
Garlic Powder: Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the breadcrumb mixture to bring a subtle, savory depth to the breading.
Paprika: With 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, the breaded chicken cutlets get a slight smoky kick and beautiful color.
Salt and Pepper: Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to enhance the overall flavor of the crispy chicken cutlets.
My Recommended Oil and Breadcrumbs for Crispy Chicken
For the best results, I recommend using Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray. It’s perfect for air frying because it’s high-heat stable and helps create that crispy, golden exterior.
Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray
Made with simple ingredients like wheat flour, sourdough, sea salt, and yeast—nothing fancy, just pure goodness.
Kooshy Sourdough Croutons
My Go-To Kitchen Tools For This Recipe
cosori air fryer
Cutting Board
High Quality Knife Set
How to Make Crispy Chicken Cutlets in the Air Fryer:
Making crispy chicken cutlets in the air fryer is as simple as 1-2-3! Here's how you can do it:
1. Grab two shallow bowls. Add your eggs to one bowl, whisk to combine the eggs.
2. In the other bowl, add your breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Mix.
3. Grab the chicken, dip it in the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading, then place it aside on a clean plate.
4. Continue to complete all chicken pieces.
5. Spray your hot air fryer with a little bit of cooking oil, then lay your chicken in a single layer (careful not to overlap in the air fryer). You may need to work in batches.
6. Air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Each air fryer is different, so I just recommend checking them at 6 minutes.
7. The chicken will be golden on the outside, and the inside will be cooked to 165F.
How to Cut Chicken Breast into Cutlets
I often buy organic chicken cutlets from the store to save time, but if you’re starting with chicken breast and need to cut it into cutlets, here’s how to do it:
Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breast dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
Position the Chicken: Place the breast flat on a cutting board.
Hold Steady: Use your non-dominant hand to hold the chicken steady. Keep your fingers slightly curled to avoid injury.
Locate the Thickest Part: Look at the chicken breast from the side to find the thickest part—this is where you’ll start cutting.
Slice Carefully: With a very sharp knife, slice the breast horizontally, starting at the thickest side and cutting toward the thinner side. Keep the knife parallel to the cutting board and cut all the way through.
Even Out the Thickness: If the cutlets are uneven, place a piece of plastic wrap over them and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are uniform in thickness.
Trim as Needed: Remove any excess fat or connective tissue with your knife.
How to Freeze Chicken Cutlets for Later
Dredge the Chicken: Fully coat all your chicken in the breading mixture.
Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Freeze the Cutlets: Lay the breaded chicken cutlets flat on the baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. Place the sheet in the freezer and let the cutlets freeze fully for about 12 hours (this prevents the cutlets from sticking together).
Transfer to Storage: Once frozen, transfer the cutlets to a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer.
To enjoy later, simply cook the frozen cutlets in the air fryer, adding an extra 6–8 minutes to the cook time (adjust as needed for your air fryer).
Cooking in the Oven
No air fryer? No problem! You can easily make these breaded chicken cutlets in the oven.
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Place the breaded chicken cutlets on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping the cutlets halfway through for even cooking.
Best Sides to Serve with Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets:
FAQs
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Yes! Simply slice the chicken breast into thinner pieces or strips to ensure even cooking.
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Regular breadcrumbs work great, but panko will give the tenders a crispier texture.
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No, the breadcrumb mixture is already seasoned. However, you can season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper for extra flavor!
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Yes! You can use onion powder, Italian seasoning, or chili powder as substitutes, or just keep it simple with salt and pepper.
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Use gluten-free breadcrumbs!
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Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
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Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes to maintain crispiness.
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A light spray of cooking oil is enough to prevent sticking and promote crispiness.
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Make sure the chicken pieces aren’t overlapping in the air fryer, and spray them lightly with oil. Overcrowding or skipping the oil spray can prevent crispiness.
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You can double the recipe, but you may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.
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Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken and shake off excess egg or breadcrumbs before placing it in the air fryer.
Get ready to fall in love with this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe! It’s the perfect way to enjoy crispy, golden-brown chicken with way less oil—seriously, it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re feeding the whole family or whipping up a quick weeknight dinner, these chicken cutlets are about to become your new go-to in your collection of air fryer recipes. They’re kid-friendly, super easy to make, and pair perfectly with all your favorite sides for the perfect meal. Trust me, this one’s a keeper! Enjoy!
The Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.25 lb chicken cutlet
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Grab two shallow bowls. Add your eggs to one bowl, whisk to combine the eggs.
- In the other bowl, add your breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Mix.
- Grab the chicken, dip it in the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading then place it aside on a clean plate.
- Continue to complete all chicken pieces.
- Spray your hot air fryer with a little bit of cooking oil, then lay your chicken in a single layer (careful not to overlap in the air fryer). You may need to work in batches.
- Air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Each air fryer is different, so I just recommend checking them at 6 minutes.
- The chicken will be golden on the outside, and the inside will be cooked to 165F.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the breaded chicken cutlets on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping the cutlets halfway through for even cooking.
Notes
How to Freeze Chicken Cutlets for Later
- Dredge the Chicken: Fully coat all your chicken in the breading mixture.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Freeze the Cutlets: Lay the breaded chicken cutlets flat on the baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. Place the sheet in the freezer and let the cutlets freeze fully for about 12 hours (this prevents the cutlets from sticking together).
- Transfer to Storage: Once frozen, transfer the cutlets to a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer.
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