Air-Fried Chicken Schnitzel: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chicken schnitzel is a delicious, versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It is typically made by breading and deep-frying chicken cutlets, resulting in a crispy, golden exterior and juicy, tender meat. However, deep-frying can be messy and greasy. This is where the air fryer comes in—a versatile kitchen appliance that has gained popularity for its ability to cook food with less oil and less mess. With an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy, golden results as traditional frying, but with the added benefits of a healthier cooking method and easier cleanup. So, can you cook chicken schnitzel in an air fryer? The short answer is yes!

Chicken breast preparation

Firstly, select the right chicken breasts for your schnitzel. Look for skinless and boneless chicken breasts, ensuring that the tenders are removed. This will make the flattening process easier and ensure even cooking. Place the chicken breasts on a clean work surface, and cover them with plastic wrap or cling wrap.

The next step is to flatten the chicken breasts. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound the chicken until it reaches a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (or roughly 2 cm). This step is important as it ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly in the air fryer. Be careful not to pound the chicken too thin, as you don't want it to break or tear.

Once you have flattened the chicken, it's time to set up your breading station. You will need three wide shallow bowls or plates. In the first bowl, place plain flour (also known as all-purpose flour). You can season the flour with salt and pepper if desired. The flour will coat the chicken and help the crumbs stick. The second bowl should contain a mixture of eggs and, optionally, milk, and Dijon mustard. Beat the eggs and milk together until well combined. The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for extra crispness. For added flavour, you can mix in some grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the breadcrumbs.

Now it's time to bread the chicken. First, dip the chicken into the flour mixture, making sure to coat all sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dunk the floured chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Finally, coat the chicken with the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing them firmly onto the surface to ensure a crispy crust forms.

After breading, place the chicken on a tray or plate and chill it in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This helps the coating set and ensures a crispier crust. While the chicken chills, preheat your air fryer to between 180°C and 204°C (some sources recommend 375°F or 400°F).

Once the air fryer is preheated, you are ready to cook your chicken schnitzel! Place the breaded chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Spray the tops of the chicken and the air fryer basket with cooking oil or avocado oil to ensure a crispy, golden brown crust forms.

Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken and the model of your air fryer, but generally, it should take around 12 to 16 minutes. For best results, flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Your chicken schnitzel is ready when it is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F/73°C-74°C.

Air fryer settings

The settings on your air fryer will depend on the make and model, but there are some general rules you can follow to cook chicken schnitzel. Firstly, preheat your air fryer to around 200°C (400°F/390°F) or 204°C. You can spritz the basket with a little cooking oil first to prevent the breading from sticking.

Next, place your breaded chicken in the basket, ensuring that the pieces are in a single layer and not stacked, and spritz the tops with cooking oil. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit one or two pieces of chicken in the basket at a time.

Cook for around 8 minutes, then flip the chicken and spritz the other side with oil. Cook for another 7 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/73°C-74°C. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken, so use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked correctly.

Cooking time

The cooking time for chicken schnitzel in an air fryer depends on the model of the air fryer and the thickness of the chicken. It is important to preheat the air fryer before cooking the chicken schnitzel. The temperature settings for preheating the air fryer vary from 180°C to 204°C, and the time varies from 3 minutes to 6 minutes.

After preheating the air fryer, the chicken schnitzel is placed in the air fryer basket and sprayed with cooking oil. The chicken schnitzel is then cooked for about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken and the air fryer model. It is recommended to turn the chicken schnitzel once about 3/4th of the way through to ensure even cooking on both sides.

For a thinner chicken schnitzel, the cooking time may be shorter, around 8 to 10 minutes on each side. The internal temperature of the chicken schnitzel should reach 165°F/73°C to 165°F/74°C when it is cooked through.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the number of chicken schnitzels cooked in the air fryer at once. Most air fryer baskets can fit 2 chicken breasts at a time, but larger air fryers may accommodate more. Cooking in batches may be necessary to ensure even cooking and browning.

Ingredients for breading

The breading station is a crucial part of making chicken schnitzel. It's recommended to use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other hand for the wet ingredients to avoid mess.

The first step in the breading process is to coat the chicken with plain or all-purpose flour. This will help the other ingredients stick to the chicken. The second step is to dip the chicken into an egg mixture. This can be a simple beaten egg, or mixed with Dijon mustard, or even garlic powder. The final step is to coat the chicken with breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice, but standard breadcrumbs also work. For extra flavour, you can add sesame seeds, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.

Some recipes suggest that brining the chicken before breading it can make the dish more juicy and flavourful. To brine chicken, soak it in a saltwater bath for 30 minutes before breading.

Reheating and storing

When storing chicken schnitzel, it is recommended to let the cooked schnitzels cool down and then place them in an airtight container. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat chicken schnitzel, use an air fryer to ensure the schnitzel becomes hot and crispy again. Place the schnitzel in the air fryer and heat it up for about 5 minutes at 350°F/176°C. If you want to make the exterior crispier, you can increase the temperature to 390°F/198°C for the last minute of cooking.

You can also freeze uncooked chicken schnitzel for later use. To do this, prepare the chicken breasts with the breading and flash-freeze them in an uncovered, airtight container. When you're ready to cook the frozen schnitzel, place it in the air fryer and follow the same cooking instructions as for fresh schnitzel.

Additionally, you can reheat cooked schnitzel in the oven or on the stovetop. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F and heat the schnitzel for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. For the stovetop, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook the schnitzel for 2-3 minutes on each side until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions