Easy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Laura Lynch

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These Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are quickly coated in breading and fried in the air fryer with very little oil to make a crispy, juicy piece of chicken that only take about 20 minutes to make.

Air fryer chicken cutlets are wonderfully crispy on the outside, but the chicken stays nice and juicy on the inside. The best part about using an air fryer to make them is how much less oil they will absorb, yet they’re still just as crispy.

I like to eat these chicken cutlets as is right when they come out of the air fryer, with a quick side dish. So simple, and so tasty. But I also make them to put on a crispy chicken salad or to use in chicken wraps. The breading adds a little extra crunch that’s so good.

» You might be interested in this Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet and Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Kiev.

Ingredients You Need

You can buy already breaded chicken cutlets and just put them in the air fryer to cook. That’s a perfectly reasonable way to do it. However, I usually like to bread my own chicken, because then I know that no extra oil has been added. Choose whichever way suits you.

• Frozen store-bought breaded chicken cutlets

OR

• Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breast works best in this recipe because you can flatten them easily, but chicken thighs can be used, too. Make sure you slice the chicken breast in half down the middle and pound them slightly so they’re even throughout.
• Egg – Egg acts as a binding agent to help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken better.
• Flour – All-purpose flour will give the best results.
• Breadcrumbs – What breadcrumbs you use really depends on your personal preference. I like to use panko breadcrumbs, but I grind them up slightly so they aren’t such big pieces. You can also use a finer breadcrumbs or you can add extra flavor by using Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. 
• Salt & Ground Black Pepper – The chicken should be seasoned on both sides before you dredge it in the egg and flour, for the most flavor.
• Seasonings – You can use any seasonings you like in the breadcrumb mixture. I like to use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika.
• Cornstarch – Adding a bit of cornstarch helps the breading stick to the chicken and will make it turn out more crispy.

Equipment Needed

• Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit 2 Chicken Kiev pieces. Give each piece of chicken Kiev enough space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
• Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
• Meat thermometer: The only way to tell if meat is fully cooked to the right temperature is to use a meat thermometer. I use this Instant Read thermometer. It’s so quick to open the basket and check the temp.
• Meat mallet: To pound the chicken down to an even thickness, I use this Kitchenaid meat mallet.

Helpful Tips

• The easiest way to get all the chicken breaded quickly is to make a breading station. Have all of the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs ready in their own bowls or plates. That way you can easily and quickly bread each chicken cutlet.
• Measure the internal temperature of the chicken cutlets using a meat thermometer. Each air fryer is built differently, so your model may take more or less time to cook the chicken. Chicken should reach a temperature of 165°F. 
• Wear gloves while breading the chicken to prevent cross contamination.

Stovetop Directions

Don’t have an air fryer? No problem!

Complete steps 1-3 below. Then using a heavy and deep skillet or Dutch oven, pour the cooking oil into the pan until there is a solid layer of oil in the bottom, about 1/8 inch high. The oil needs to be heated to and stay at 350° F(175°C) for the perfect fry.

When the oil reaches 350°F, add the chicken and cook on each side for 5 minutes or until the Panko looks golden brown. When the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165° F(75°C), remove the chicken to a wire rack. Season with salt.

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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

These Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are quickly coated in breading and fried in the air fryer with very little oil to make a crispy, juicy piece of chicken that only take about 20 minutes to make.

4.9 from 70 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Servings

Calories 194 kcal

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 boneless skinless chicken breast cut in half and lightly pounded
• Salt and pepper
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) flour
• 1/4 cup (27 g) fine bread crumbs or panko
• 1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.8 g) garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.3 g) flake salt

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Season the chicken with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• Whisk the egg in a bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs, flour, and seasonings on another plate.
• Dredge the chicken cutlets in the egg, shake off excess. Lay the chicken in the breadcrumbs, then drag/flip to fully coat the chicken.
• Spray the chicken with a generous amount of cooking oil. Place it, oiled side down in the air fryer basket. Spray the top side.
• Cook the chicken at 385˚F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches 165˚F internal temperature.

Notes

• The easiest way to get all the chicken breaded quickly is to make a breading station. Have all of the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs ready in their own bowls or plates. That way you can easily and quickly bread each chicken cutlet.
• Measure the internal temperature of the chicken cutlets using a meat thermometer. Each air fryer is built differently, so your model may take more or less time to cook the chicken. Chicken should reach a temperature of 165°F. 
• Wear gloves while breading the chicken to prevent cross contamination.

All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 17gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 487mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 174IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Chicken

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Laura Lynch

Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.