Air-Fryer Breaded Chicken Cutlets: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken cutlets are a staple in Italian-American homes, usually fried in oil until golden brown. However, you can easily make them in an air fryer with minimal ingredients and less oil. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken cutlets in an air fryer.

Chicken cutlet preparation

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken breasts, eggs, breadcrumbs, and a selection of seasonings. Some recipes suggest adding extras such as Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and Italian dressing.

Prepare the Chicken

Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create cutlets. If they are not thin enough, place the chicken on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and pound with a meat mallet until they are around 1/4-inch thick.

Breading Station

Set up a breading station with two shallow bowls. In one bowl, beat an egg with a little water. In the other bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with your chosen seasonings. If you are using cheese, add this to the breadcrumb mixture.

Coat the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it first in the egg, and then in the breadcrumbs. Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated before setting it aside on a plate or wax paper.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 390-400°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray or olive oil.

Cook the Chicken

Place the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray the tops with cooking spray or olive oil. Cook for around 8-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Serve

Air fryer chicken cutlets can be served on their own with a squeeze of lemon, or used as a base for chicken Parmesan. They also work well in sandwiches or salads.

Air fryer setup

To make breaded chicken cutlets in an air fryer, you will need to follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your chicken cutlets. You can either buy ready-to-go cutlets or create your own by butterflying boneless skinless chicken breasts and pounding them down with a meat mallet. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4 inch.

Next, set up your dredging station. You will need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add flour. In the second, beat an egg and add a little water if desired. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with your chosen seasonings. For a classic Italian flavour, use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add paprika, cayenne pepper, or white pepper for a kick.

Now you're ready to dredge your chicken. First, dust the chicken with flour, then dip it in the egg wash, and finally, press it into the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly coated.

Once your chicken is breaded, spray both sides with cooking spray or olive oil. This will help achieve a crispy, golden texture.

Preheat your air fryer to between 390-400°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cook the chicken for around 8-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

You can serve your chicken cutlets as they are, or use them as a base for chicken parmesan. Enjoy!

Breading the chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

Firstly, grab two shallow bowls. In one bowl, pour your egg whites or whole beaten eggs, and in the other, place your breadcrumbs. For an extra flavour boost, you can add some grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning to the breadcrumbs. Give the breadcrumbs a good mix to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed. If you're feeling creative, you can even add some ranch or BBQ seasoning to the mix!

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Lay out a piece of wax paper or get a plate—this will be where you place your breaded chicken as you work. Now, take each piece of chicken and dip it into the egg, ensuring it is well coated. Then, transfer the egged chicken to the breadcrumbs and coat thoroughly. Use your fingers to press down on the chicken to ensure the breadcrumbs stick properly. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are breaded.

Step 3: Spray with Oil

Once your chicken is breaded, spray both sides with a light layer of oil. This step is essential to achieving that golden, crispy texture. You can use cooking spray, olive oil spray, or brush the chicken with a thin layer of oil.

Step 4: Rest the Chicken (Optional)

At this point, you can let the chicken rest while your air fryer preheats. This step is not mandatory, but it allows the egg to absorb some of the dry ingredients, resulting in a moister and more flavourful coating.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F. Different air fryers may vary, so adjust the temperature as needed.

Step 6: Fry the Chicken

Place the chicken cutlets into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Generously spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray and set the timer according to your air fryer and the thickness of the chicken. As a guide, cook for around 4–5 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray the other side with oil. Continue cooking for another 4–5 minutes or until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

Tips for Perfect Breading:

• Use one hand for the wet bowl and the other for the dry bowl to minimise mess.
• Mix the dry ingredients between each chicken cutlet to ensure even distribution of the seasoning.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for more even crispiness.

Cooking the chicken

Now that you've set up your breading station and prepared your chicken cutlets, it's time to cook them in the air fryer!

Spray the basket of your air fryer with olive oil or cooking spray. The size of your air fryer basket will determine how many cutlets you can cook at once. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to cook one or two pieces of chicken at a time. You may need to work in batches.

Place the cutlets in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Overlapping cutlets may create a steaming effect instead of a crisping one, so it's better to cook in batches. Generously spray the tops of the cutlets with cooking spray or olive oil spray for a crispy and golden finish.

Cook the chicken cutlets at 400°F for about 8-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts and the model of your air fryer. For example, thinner cutlets may only need about 8 minutes, while thicker cutlets may need closer to 15 minutes.

If you're using a meat thermometer, the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also cut into the thickest part of the cutlet to ensure that the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink.

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and set it aside. If you're working in batches, keep the cooked chicken warm in a low oven (around 250°F) while you cook the remaining cutlets.

Serving suggestions

Breaded chicken cutlets are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Sandwiches

Breaded chicken cutlets are an excellent option for sandwiches due to their thin size. Cut the cutlets in half and place them between your favourite buns or bread. You can also add toppings such as cheese, lettuce, and tomato to create a delicious and hearty sandwich.

Salads

The crispy texture and juicy flavour of the chicken cutlets make them a great addition to salads. Try them with a simple lemony side salad or a heartier option like a chicken Caprese salad. You can also slice the cutlets and add them directly to your favourite salad recipe.

Pasta

Breaded chicken cutlets go well with pasta dishes. Try them with a simple tomato sauce or get creative with different sauces and ingredients to find your favourite combination.

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a classic dish that can be easily made with breaded chicken cutlets. Simply add a good marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil, and you've got a delicious and comforting meal.

Tacos

For a fun and unique twist, use breaded chicken cutlets as a taco filling. Thinly slice the cutlets and stuff them into tortillas with your favourite toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, beans, cheese, salsa, and lettuce.

Sides

Serve the breaded chicken cutlets with simple sides like mashed potatoes, corn, or a baked potato. They also go well with roasted broccoli, zucchini, or a side salad.

Marinades

You can also marinate the chicken cutlets before breading and cooking to add extra flavour. Try a lemon-garlic marinade with lemon juice, minced garlic, and olive oil, or an Italian dressing marinade.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different serving options to find your favourite ways to enjoy breaded chicken cutlets!

Frequently asked questions