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

Chicken cutlets are a staple in Italian-American homes. They are thin-sliced chicken breasts that are breaded and fried in oil until golden brown. Here is a recipe to make chicken cutlets in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

- Chicken cutlets or chicken breasts

- Breadcrumbs

- Eggs

- Olive oil spray

- Salt and pepper

- Other seasonings of your choice

Instructions:

1. Prepare a breading station by taking two shallow bowls. Pour the egg whites into one bowl and the breadcrumbs into the other.

2. Lay out a piece of wax paper or a plate where you can place the breaded chicken.

3. Take each piece of chicken, dip it in the egg, and then coat it with breadcrumbs.

4. Spray the basket of your air fryer with olive oil.

5. Place the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Spray the tops of the cutlets with more olive oil.

6. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through and spray the other side with olive oil.

7. Your air-fried chicken cutlets are now ready to be served!

Prepare a breading station

To prepare a breading station, you'll need two shallow bowls and a plate or a piece of wax paper. In one bowl, pour your egg whites or whisked eggs. In the other bowl, add your breadcrumbs and any desired seasonings. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour. The plate or wax paper will be used to place your breaded chicken pieces on as they wait to be cooked.

Flatten the chicken

Flattening the chicken is an important step in the process of making chicken cutlets in the air fryer. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and quickly, resulting in juicy and tender meat. Here is a detailed guide on how to flatten chicken for chicken cutlets:

Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can either purchase chicken cutlets that are already thinly sliced, or you can create your own by slicing a whole chicken breast in half lengthwise. Place the chicken breast on a cutting board and hold it flat with your hand. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully slice through the breast to create two evenly sized pieces.

To get the chicken cutlets to the desired thickness, you can use a meat mallet or a heavy skillet. Place the thin chicken breasts between plastic wrap or in a plastic bag, and pound them gently until they reach a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This step is crucial as it ensures even cooking and creates a larger surface area for the breading to stick to.

Some recipes suggest butterflying the chicken as an alternative method to achieve a thinner cut. This involves cutting the chicken breast almost in half, leaving one end intact, and then opening it up like a book. You can also use the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin to gently pound the chicken to an even thickness.

Once you have flattened the chicken, you can proceed with the breading and cooking process as outlined in the recipe instructions. Remember to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before coating it with flour or dipping it in the egg mixture. This ensures that the breading adheres properly to the chicken.

By taking the time to flatten the chicken, you will end up with chicken cutlets that are not only cooked evenly but also have a delightful crispy texture and juicy interior.

Bread the chicken

Breading the chicken is a crucial step in achieving that crispy, golden exterior we all love. Here's a detailed guide on how to bread chicken cutlets for your air fryer, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal.

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

Create a simple breading station by grabbing a couple of shallow bowls. In one bowl, pour your liquid of choice—this could be egg whites, eggs, or even buttermilk. In the other bowl, add your chosen breadcrumbs. For a classic option, go with Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, or experiment with panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier texture. If you're feeling adventurous, add some Parmesan cheese or Italian seasoning to your breadcrumbs for an extra flavour boost.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Lay out a piece of wax paper or a plate where you'll place your breaded chicken pieces. Take each piece of chicken, dip it into the liquid, ensuring it's thoroughly coated, and then move on to the breadcrumbs. Generously coat the chicken with breadcrumbs, gently pressing them onto the surface to ensure an even and secure coating. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are breaded and ready to go.

Step 3: Spray the Air Fryer Basket

Before adding your breaded chicken, it's important to spray the basket of your air fryer with olive oil or cooking spray. This step helps prevent sticking and promotes even cooking.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Carefully place your breaded chicken pieces into the air fryer basket, being mindful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook in batches to ensure proper airflow. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with more olive oil or cooking spray for that extra golden colour. Now, it's time to air fry! The cooking time and temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer, but generally, cook at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes. Don't forget to flip your chicken halfway through the cooking process and give it another spray of oil for an even finish.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Once your chicken cutlets are cooked to a beautiful golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it's time to enjoy your delicious creation! Serve them as-is, or get creative by adding them to sandwiches, salads, or even making chicken parmigiana. The possibilities are endless!

Air-fry the chicken

Now that your chicken is ready to be cooked, it's time to air-fry it to perfection! Here's a detailed guide to ensure your chicken cutlets turn out crispy, juicy, and delicious:

Air-Frying the Chicken:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer:

Set your air fryer to 400°F. This is the ideal temperature to ensure your chicken cooks evenly and achieves that desirable golden-brown exterior.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken for Air-Frying:

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, ensure it is well-coated with your chosen breading or marinade. If you're using a breading, dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, followed by the breading, ensuring it's thoroughly coated. If you're using a marinade, simply ensure the chicken has been well-coated and has rested for at least 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.

Step 3: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer:

Arrange the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can hinder even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Step 4: Spray the Chicken with Oil:

Lightly spritz or brush the chicken with a cooking spray or oil. This step is crucial, as it helps the chicken achieve that mouthwatering fried flavor and texture.

Step 5: Air-Fry the Chicken:

Close the air fryer and cook the chicken at 400°F for approximately 8-15 minutes. For optimal results, refer to the specific cooking times and temperatures provided in your chosen recipe. Halfway through the cooking process, flip the chicken cutlets to ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Check for Doneness:

To ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly, use an instant-read thermometer to check its internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Alternatively, you can cut into the thickest part of the cutlet to ensure the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink.

Step 7: Repeat if Necessary:

If you have a large batch of chicken, you may need to repeat the process, ensuring each batch is cooked to perfection.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy:

Your air-fried chicken cutlets are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as-is, or pair them with your favorite sides, salads, or sandwiches.

Air-frying chicken cutlets is a quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy crispy and juicy chicken without the mess and excess oil of traditional frying. By following these steps, you can ensure your chicken turns out perfectly every time!

Serve with your favourite sides

There are many ways to serve your air-fried chicken cutlets. You can eat them straight out of the fryer with no problem, but why not add a few sides?

If you're looking for a well-rounded meal, serve your cutlets with grains and veggies. For example, you could try quinoa and air fryer Brussels sprouts. Or, if you're after something a little lighter, add the cutlets to a salad. They'd be a great addition to a spinach or Caesar salad.

You could also make a grain bowl with quinoa or another grain, or even chicken fajita bowls. Or, for a fun twist, turn your cutlets into a chicken Parmesan sandwich by topping them with marinara and mozzarella. Pop the assembled sandwich into the air fryer and let the cheese melt for a few minutes.

Chicken cutlets are also great in tacos, or as a protein boost in a garlicky kale salad.

If you're serving a crowd, you could also make a batch of BBQ sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions