Air-Fried Chicken Schnitzel: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken schnitzel is a popular dish in Germany, Austria, and Israel, and can be made with veal, pork, beef, or chicken. In this response, we will focus on how to make chicken schnitzel in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to pan-frying as it requires less oil and still yields a crispy result. The process involves preparing the chicken, creating a breading station, coating the chicken, and then air-frying it to perfection.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients and set up your work area. Place each chicken breast on a cutting board and slice them in half horizontally. This will create thinner breast fillets that are more suitable for schnitzel. If you are using chicken thighs, you can skip this step as they are already the ideal thickness.

Next, you will need to ensure that the fillets are of even thickness. To do this, you can use a meat mallet to gently pound the chicken. Alternatively, you can cover a saucepan or frying pan with plastic wrap and use that to flatten the fillets. This step is important to ensure even cooking and browning of the chicken.

Now, it's time to set up your breading station. You will need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine plain flour with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices like onion powder or dried oregano, basil, and parsley for extra flavour. In the second bowl, whisk eggs with a small amount of water or milk. You can also add a teaspoon of dijon mustard for a tangy flavour. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for a lighter and crispier coating.

Once your breading station is set up, you can start dredging and breading the chicken. Take a fillet and coat it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring that it is fully coated. Finally, coat the fillet with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure all sides are covered. Repeat this process with the remaining fillets.

After all the fillets are breaded, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the crumbed fillets in the basket, making sure they are in a single layer with space between them for air circulation. Then, spray a little cooking oil over the top of the fillets to help the crumbs brown and crisp.

Your chicken schnitzel is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the schnitzel in batches to ensure even cooking and browning.

Making the coating

First, prepare your flour mixture by seasoning the flour with spices like paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some parsley and onion powder for extra flavour. Mix the dry ingredients together in one of your shallow bowls.

Next, prepare your egg wash by whisking together eggs and a small amount of water or milk. You can also add a teaspoon of mustard for a tangy flavour. Whisk the wet ingredients together in a second shallow bowl.

Finally, prepare your breadcrumbs. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, and season them with spices like paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, dried oregano, basil, parsley, and smoked paprika. Mix the seasoned breadcrumbs in your third shallow bowl.

Now you're ready to start coating your chicken! Start by dipping the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure it's well coated. Then, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring full coverage. Finally, coat the chicken with the seasoned breadcrumbs, making sure all sides are covered.

Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated, and you're ready to cook your delicious, crispy chicken schnitzel in your air fryer!

Cooking the schnitzel

Now that you have your chicken prepared, it's time to cook your schnitzel!

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390-400°F). You'll want to give it a quick spray with some cooking oil, too.

Next, it's time to crumb your chicken. Set up three shallow bowls. In the first, place your flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, and mix gently to combine. In the second bowl, whisk your eggs. In the third, place your breadcrumbs, parsley, more garlic powder, and more salt and pepper, and mix.

Take a chicken breast and dip it first into the flour mixture, making sure it's well coated. Next, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring full coverage. Finally, coat the fillet with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure all sides are covered. Repeat this process until all your chicken is crumbed.

Place the crumbed fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, giving them a little spray with cooking oil to help the crumbs brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the schnitzel in batches.

Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning once about three-quarters of the way through to ensure both sides get golden and crispy. The schnitzel is ready when the crumbs are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.

Serve your chicken schnitzel immediately with your favourite sauce, a squeeze of lemon, or a side of salad or potato.

Storing and reheating

Chicken schnitzel is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer when it is hot and crispy. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

To maintain the crispiness of the breading, it is important to keep the leftovers in the fridge and not at room temperature. The breading will soften over time, so when reheating, it is best to use the air fryer or oven, rather than the microwave, to regain that crispy texture.

To reheat, place the chicken schnitzel in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350°F (176.6°C) for six to eight minutes, or until warmed through, flipping the schnitzel halfway through. You may also use an oven and reheat at 350°F (176.6°C) for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you wish to store your chicken schnitzel for longer, you can freeze it. Allow the cooked schnitzel to cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the air fryer or oven as instructed above.

Serving suggestions

Chicken schnitzel is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways, from healthy to indulgent comfort food. Here are some serving suggestions:

Sauces and Condiments

Schnitzel can be served with a variety of sauces and condiments. Some popular options include:

• Gravy
• Ranch dressing
• Lemon wedges
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise

Side Dishes

Chicken schnitzel can be accompanied by a variety of side dishes, such as:

• Potato salad
• Orzo pasta salad
• Coleslaw
• Green salad
• Roasted broccoli salad
• Mashed potatoes and green beans

Main Course

Chicken schnitzel can also be served as part of a main course:

• On a burger bun with your favourite toppings
• Turn it into a classic parmigiana with pizza sauce, ham, and cheese
• Sliced up and served with a creamy dairy-free mac and cheese
• Chicken parmesan with a parmigiana sauce and a mixture of parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top

Fries

Fries are the perfect match for chicken schnitzel, and they can be cooked in the air fryer as well. Potato fries or sweet potato fries are both great options.

Salads

There are thousands of different salads that will go perfectly with chicken schnitzel. A simple green salad is a great option if you want something quick and easy, while a homemade potato salad or roasted broccoli salad will add a bit more substance to the meal.

Frequently asked questions