Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets: Crispy, Golden Perfection

Chicken cutlets are a staple in Italian-American homes. They are thin slices of boneless chicken breast, breaded and fried in oil until golden brown. However, you can recreate this recipe using an air fryer instead of oil.

To make crispy chicken cutlets in an air fryer, you will need thin slices of chicken breast, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, and eggs. First, create a breading station with two shallow bowls – one with egg whites and the other with breadcrumbs. Next, dip each piece of chicken into the egg, followed by the breadcrumbs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Place the breaded chicken on a piece of wax paper and spray the basket of your air fryer with olive oil spray.

Place the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket and spray the tops with olive oil spray. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, flipping the chicken and respraying with olive oil at the 7-minute mark. Your chicken cutlets are ready when they are golden and crispy!

How to prepare the chicken cutlets

Preparing chicken cutlets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, crispy, and golden coating in just 8 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare chicken cutlets in your air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by slicing boneless skinless chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thin cutlets. You can also buy pre-made chicken cutlets. If the cutlets have uneven thickness, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them until they are about 1/4- to 1/6-inch thick. This ensures even cooking and a tender texture.

Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station

Get two shallow bowls and a clean plate. In the first bowl, prepare an egg wash by beating an egg with a little water. You can also use liquid egg whites. In the second bowl, combine your chosen breading. This could be Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or a combination of both. You can also add Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, or other spices to the breading for extra flavor.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

Take each chicken cutlet and dip it first into the egg wash, making sure it's fully coated. Then, transfer the cutlet to the bowl with the breading and coat it thoroughly. Use your fingers to press the crumbs onto the chicken so they stick well. Place the breaded cutlet on the clean plate and repeat this process for the remaining cutlets.

Step 4: Let the Cutlets Rest

Before cooking, let the breaded cutlets rest for a few minutes. This allows the egg to absorb some of the dry ingredients, resulting in a moist and flavorful coating after cooking.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (depending on the model and your desired level of crispiness). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Cook the Chicken Cutlets

Place the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Generously spray the tops of the cutlets with cooking spray or olive oil for a crispy, golden finish. Cook the cutlets for about 4-5 minutes, then flip them over and spray the other side. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Your crispy chicken cutlets are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a quick and tasty lunch or a weeknight dinner. They can be served in various ways, such as on a sandwich, over a salad, with pasta, or simply with your favorite sides.

How to set up the breading station

To set up your breading station, you'll need two shallow bowls and a clean plate. In the first shallow bowl, beat an egg with a little water. You can use just egg whites if you prefer. In the second shallow bowl, combine your chosen breadcrumbs with any seasonings. You can use Italian breadcrumbs, panko, or a mixture of the two, and add spices and herbs like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, or white pepper to enhance the flavor. Mix the dry ingredients well. The clean plate will be used to rest your chicken on after dredging.

It's a good idea to line up your breading station in the order you'll be using it, so you have a clear assembly line. You can use one hand for the wet bowl and one hand for the dry bowl to avoid mess.

How long to cook the chicken cutlets for

The cooking time for chicken cutlets in an air fryer varies depending on the thickness of the cutlets and the model of the fryer. However, on average, it takes around 8 to 15 minutes to cook chicken cutlets in an air fryer.

For instance, if you are using an air fryer to cook thin, raw, sliced chicken breasts, it will take about 8 minutes to cook them to a golden brown and crispy finish. On the other hand, if you are cooking frozen chicken cutlets, it is recommended to air fry them at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping them once, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific model of your air fryer and the thickness of your chicken cutlets. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your chicken cutlets while they are cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed. Additionally, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken cutlets to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

When cooking chicken cutlets in an air fryer, it is best to cook them in batches of 2-3 cutlets at a time to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in unevenly cooked and less crispy chicken cutlets.

To ensure your chicken cutlets are cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F. This will ensure that your chicken cutlets are cooked to a safe temperature and prevent under-cooking or over-cooking.

How to store and reheat the chicken cutlets

To store your chicken cutlets, let them cool completely, then wrap them in plastic and place them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should last in there for 3-4 days.

Reheating in an Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/360°F for 3-5 minutes. Place the chicken cutlets inside, ensuring they don't overlap, and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through and crispy.

Reheating in an Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F/400°F. Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes in the oven until heated through and crispy.

Reheating in a Microwave

Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, ensuring the pieces don't overlap. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

How to make chicken cutlets without an air fryer

Chicken cutlets are thin slices of boneless chicken breast that cook quickly and evenly. You can make your own chicken cutlets by slicing boneless chicken breasts in half horizontally and then pounding them flat. Here is a guide on how to make chicken cutlets without an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts (thin-sliced or whole)
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Eggs
• Mayonnaise
• Panko bread crumbs
• Italian bread crumbs
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Method:

• Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally and pound to your desired thickness (usually 1/4- to 1/6-inch thick).
• Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, or a combination of your choice of spices and herbs.
• Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix flour, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs. In the third bowl, mix Italian bread crumbs, panko, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Dip each chicken cutlet first in the flour mixture, then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure the cutlets are well coated at each step.
• Preheat your oven to 400°F/205°C. Lightly spray a foil-lined baking sheet with oil.
• Place the breaded cutlets on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray the tops of the chicken with oil.
• Bake the cutlets on the lower rack of the oven for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
• Set the oven to Broil and move the cutlets to the top rack. Broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning, until golden and crispy.

Tips:

• You can also pan-fry the chicken cutlets. Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
• Ensure the cutlets are not overcrowded in the skillet and add more oil as needed.
• You can experiment with different seasonings and spices to add your own personal touch to this recipe.

Frequently asked questions