Emilie Meyer
Chicken schnitzel is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed any time of the day. While it is often bought from stores, making it at home in an air fryer gives you a super crunchy and flavourful homemade meal. This method is healthier and quicker than other cooking methods, and you can use chicken breasts or thighs. All you need is an air fryer, a sharp kitchen knife, and a few wide shallow bowls for crumbing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Main Course |
| Cuisine | German |
| Main Ingredient | Chicken |
| Chicken Part Used | Breast, Thigh |
| Chicken Preparation | Skinless, Boneless, Pounded thin |
| Other Ingredients | Flour, Eggs, Breadcrumbs, Cooking Oil, Salt, Pepper, Parmesan, Milk, Lemon |
| Equipment Required | Air Fryer, Sharp Kitchen Knife, Wide Shallow Bowls, Meat Mallet, Instant-Read Thermometer |
| Cooking Time | 12-16 minutes |
| Cooking Temperature | 190-204°C |
| Serving | 4 |
| Leftovers | Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days |
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What You'll Learn
Pounding the chicken
To begin pounding the chicken, place the chicken breasts on a clean work surface and cover them with a large piece of plastic wrap or cling wrap. This helps to prevent the chicken from tearing or sticking to your kitchen tools. You can use a meat mallet, a rolling pin, or a heavy pan to pound the chicken. Start in the centre of the chicken and work your way outwards, using firm but controlled motions. Be careful not to pound the chicken too thin, as it may break or fall apart during cooking.
When pounding the chicken, it is important to be gentle and patient. Take your time and work the meat gradually to achieve an even thickness. If you are using a meat mallet, choose the smooth side to avoid tearing the meat. If you prefer a rolling pin, make sure it is well-floured to prevent sticking.
Once the chicken is pounded to the desired thickness, it is ready for the next steps in the recipe, which typically involve breading and cooking in the air fryer. Remember, pounding the chicken is a crucial step to ensure even cooking and a delicious, juicy chicken schnitzel.
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Preparing the breading
Once you have your breading station set up, it's time to start breading the chicken. Take each piece of chicken and dip it first in the flour, making sure to shake off any excess. Then, dunk it in the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Finally, coat the chicken with the breadcrumbs, pressing them on firmly. You can also use one hand for the dry ingredients (flour and breadcrumbs) and the other for the wet (egg), to keep things a little cleaner.
Before placing the breaded chicken in the air fryer, it's a good idea to spray the basket with a little cooking oil to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. You can also spray the tops of the chicken with cooking oil to help achieve a golden, crispy crust.
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Cooking the schnitzel
Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 200°C for about 3 minutes. You can also preheat to 400°F/204°C or 375°F/190°C, depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer.
Next, prepare the chicken. Place the chicken breasts on a work surface and cover with cling wrap or parchment paper. Using a rolling pin or meat mallet, pound the chicken to about 1/4 inch or 0.5 inches thick. You can also butterfly the chicken breast.
Now it's time to set up your breading station. You'll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place plain flour, also known as all-purpose flour. This will coat the chicken and help the crumbs stick. The second bowl should contain a mixture of eggs and, optionally, milk and Dijon mustard. The final bowl should contain breadcrumbs—you can use regular or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. For extra flavour, add Parmesan, salt, and black pepper to the breadcrumbs.
Dip the chicken into the flour, shaking off any excess, then dunk it in the egg mixture, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken to ensure a crispy coating.
Once your chicken is breaded, spray the air fryer basket and the tops of the chicken with cooking spray or avocado oil. This will help to ensure a crispy, golden brown coating. Place the chicken in the air fryer in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and making sure the chicken is not touching.
Now you're ready to cook your schnitzel! Cook for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken and the model of your air fryer. For a guide, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F/74°C when cooked through. Flip the chicken once about 3/4 of the way through to ensure even cooking.
Once cooked, serve your schnitzel immediately. It goes well with noodles, mashed potatoes, and green beans, or try a tahini lemon dip for a finishing touch.
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Storing and reheating
Storing your chicken schnitzel correctly is essential to ensure it remains tasty and safe to eat. If you're not going to eat your schnitzel straight away, let it cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container with a paper towel lining and put it in the fridge. The paper towel will help to absorb any excess moisture, keeping your schnitzel crispy. You can also separate the chicken and breading before storing to maintain the crunch. Stored like this, your schnitzel will last for up to four days in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze chicken schnitzel to make it last longer. It's best to freeze uncooked schnitzel to maintain the best texture, but you can freeze cooked schnitzel too. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. Frozen schnitzel will last for up to six months and can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or under cold running water if you're in a hurry.
When you're ready to eat your leftover schnitzel, proper reheating is key to ensuring it's both safe and delicious. Bring your schnitzel to room temperature before reheating to ensure even heating and a crispy finish. You can reheat your schnitzel in an oven, air fryer, or skillet. The oven and air fryer methods are best for achieving that signature crunch.
For the oven, preheat to 350-400°F (180-200°C) and place your schnitzel on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Heat until evenly warm. For the air fryer, set to 375°F (190°C) and heat for about 3-5 minutes. The skillet method is best for a quick reheat—heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat and warm the schnitzel for around four minutes, flipping halfway.
No matter which reheating method you choose, it's crucial to ensure your chicken schnitzel reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to prevent foodborne illness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the meat.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken schnitzel is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions to accompany your air-fried chicken schnitzel:
Sides and Salads
Schnitzel pairs well with a variety of side dishes and salads. Try serving it with mashed potatoes and green beans, or opt for a lighter option like a simple green salad with peas and asparagus. Potato salad, orzo pasta salad, coleslaw, or Israeli salad are also great choices. If you're feeling adventurous, try making spaetzle or arugula salad to go with your schnitzel.
Sandwiches and Burgers
Chicken schnitzel can be a delicious addition to sandwiches and burgers. Serve it on a bun with your favourite toppings, or try it with Boursin mashed potatoes for an indulgent twist.
Sauces and Condiments
Lemon is a classic accompaniment to schnitzel. Serve your schnitzel with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or try a tahini lemon dip for something a little different. Honey mustard is another popular condiment that goes well with chicken schnitzel. If you're feeling creative, you can make a gravy with garlic, white wine, broth, sour cream or crème fraîche, and Parmesan cheese.
Main Course
Chicken schnitzel can be a meal in itself, but if you're looking for a heartier option, try turning it into a classic parmigiana by adding some pizza sauce, ham, and cheese on top. You can also slice it up and serve it with a comforting dish like mac and cheese.
Appetizers and Snacks
If you're serving chicken schnitzel as an appetizer or snack, consider making some dukkah, a traditional Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds, and spices. Dukkah can be served as a dip for the schnitzel or used as a spice rub on the chicken before air frying.
With so many serving suggestions, you can enjoy your air-fried chicken schnitzel in a variety of ways!
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Frequently asked questions
First, flatten chicken breasts to about 1/4 inch thickness with a meat mallet. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with mixed eggs and Dijon, and one with breadcrumbs. Next, dip the chicken into the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking oil, and cook at 400°F/204°C for 15-16 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C.
You will need chicken breasts, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, cooking oil, and seasonings. You may also want to add some parmesan to the breadcrumbs, and have some tahini lemon dip on the side.
It takes about 15-16 minutes to cook chicken schnitzel in an air fryer at 400°F/204°C. You may also want to cook for 8 minutes, flip, and then cook for another 8 minutes.
