Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

how to cook chicken cutlets in the air fryer

Chicken cutlets are a tasty and easy meal to make in your air fryer. The indirect heat of the air fryer keeps the meat juicy and prevents it from drying out, while also crisping up the breading. To make chicken cutlets in your air fryer, you'll need to pound the chicken breasts, season and bread them, and then cook them in batches in your air fryer basket.

Characteristics Values
Cut chicken In half, width-wise
Pound chicken To an even 1/4-inch thickness
Dredge chicken In flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs
Air fryer temperature 400F
Air fryer time 4 minutes on one side, 3-4 minutes on the other
Internal temperature 165F

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How to prepare chicken cutlets for the air fryer

To prepare chicken cutlets for the air fryer, start by cutting the chicken in half width-wise. Cover the chicken with plastic and use a meat mallet to pound it to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Next, prepare three dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour, dip it in the egg, and then press it into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is thoroughly coated.

Spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray. Place the cutlets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cook the chicken at 400F for 4 minutes, then flip and spray the other side. Air fry for another 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F on a meat thermometer.

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How to season chicken cutlets for the air fryer

To season chicken cutlets for the air fryer, start by pounding the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper, or try marinating the chicken in pickle juice or Italian dressing for extra flavour.

Next, prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, add flour; in the second, crack an egg; and in the third, combine breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour, coating it lightly, then dip it into the egg, ensuring it is well coated. Finally, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, covering it thoroughly.

Place the breaded cutlets in a single layer on a baking sheet and spray both sides with olive oil or cooking spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, place 2-4 cutlets, oil-side down, in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.

cycookery

How to cook chicken cutlets in the air fryer

To cook chicken cutlets in the air fryer, start by cutting the chicken in half width-wise and covering it with plastic. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Next, prepare three dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour, dip it in the egg, and then press it into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is thoroughly coated.

Spray both sides of the chicken with oil and place 2-4 cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, oil-side down. Cook at 400F for 4 minutes, then flip and spray the other side. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F on a meat thermometer.

For a tangy twist, try marinating the chicken in pickle juice before cooking. Alternatively, Italian dressing can be used for extra flavour.

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How to get crispy chicken cutlets in the air fryer

To get crispy chicken cutlets in the air fryer, start by cutting the chicken in half width-wise. Cover the chicken with plastic and use a meat mallet to pound it to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Next, prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, add flour; in the second, crack an egg; and in the third, combine breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour, dip it in the egg, and then press it into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is thoroughly coated.

Spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray and place 2-4 cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, oil-side down. Cook at 400F for 4 minutes, then flip and spray the other side. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F on a meat thermometer.

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How to know when chicken cutlets are cooked in the air fryer

When cooking chicken cutlets in an air fryer, it's important to remember that air fryers cook with indirect heat, so the meat stays juicier and doesn't dry out like it can when cooked in a pan or in the oven.

To know when your chicken cutlets are cooked in the air fryer, you should follow these steps:

  • Preheat your air fryer.
  • Lightly spray each cutlet with olive oil or cooking spray.
  • Place 2-4 cutlets, oil-side down, in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Cook at 400F for 4 minutes, then flip and spray the other side.
  • Air fry for another 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
  • Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.

Remember that air fryers can vary, so always consult your device's manual and keep an eye on the food, especially the first time you try a new recipe.

Frequently asked questions

Cut the chicken in half, width-wise. Cover the chicken with plastic, working with one piece of chicken at a time. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even 1/4-inch thickness.

You will need flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour, coating it lightly. Next, dip the chicken into the egg, coating it well. Finally, press the chicken into the bread crumb mixture, covering it as thoroughly as you can.

Place the cutlets in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Spray the tops with cooking spray or olive oil for a crispy and golden finish. Cook the chicken cutlets, flipping them halfway through and applying more cooking spray as needed. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F on a meat thermometer.

Air fry at 400F for 4 minutes until the top is golden, then flip and spray the other side, air fry another 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Remember, air fryers can vary, so always consult your device’s manual and keep an eye on the food, especially the first time you try a new recipe.

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