Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: under 30 minutes
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: Blender, chopper, or food processor, and mixing bowls
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 7

If you love crispy chicken but want a healthier alternative to deep frying, air fryer chicken cutlets are the best option! Mix up a quick homemade coating and get golden, breaded chicken that’s perfect for sandwiches, salads, or a tasty main dish.

What exactly is a chicken cutlet?

A chicken cutlet is a thinly sliced piece of chicken breast that is often pounded flat to an even thickness. I readily find these for sale at Sprouts and Aldi, so it’s always my first choice as a time-saver.

When trying out different recipes, it helps to know the different cuts of chicken.

A chicken cutlet is a thin, boneless slice, ideal for breading and quick cooking. A chicken breast is a whole piece that is more dense and needs to be sliced or pounded to cook evenly, or cooked until it is easy to shred. Another option, a chicken tender, is a smaller, naturally tender strip from the breast, often used for quick frying.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

With the air fryer, chicken cutlets turn out crispy and golden with less oil than traditional frying.
The chicken will be ready in under 15 minutes in the air fryer. This is a huge timesaver when you want something unique and tasty, fast!
The made-from-scratch breading is a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken.
Chicken cutlets are a versatile use of thin-sliced chicken breasts! These are great for sandwiches, salads, or as a main dish.
With a simple breading, it’s easy to customize the seasoning to fit different flavors.

Ingredients Needed

Thin-sliced chicken breasts – Thin-sliced chicken is easy to cook quickly, and the leanness helps the breading get crispy in the air fryer.
Eggs – A light coating of egg helps the breading stick to the chicken and doesn’t alter the taste.
Cajun seasoning blend – Cajun seasoning adds a smoky, peppery flavor that isn’t too spicy.
Herb and garlic seasoning blend – This blend usually includes salt and pepper along with a neutral base of herbs that work perfectly with poultry.
Panko breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free) – Panko breadcrumbs are light and flaky and give the closest resemblance to a fried, breaded coating, without all the greasy mess! You can also use a gluten-free version for practically identical results.
Grated Parmesan cheese – Grated Parmesan adds even more flavor to the crust and helps it get that golden finish.
Avocado oil cooking spray – Cooking spray keeps everything from sticking to the basket and also helps the breading to crisp up in the air fryer. Avocado oil is the best choice since it has a rich, but not overpowering flavor.

2 chicken cutlets on cutitng board next to panko crumbs, seasonings, cheese

How To Slice Your Own Chicken Cutlets

Lay a chicken breast flat on a cutting board.
Use a sharp knife to slice horizontally into two even cutlets.
Optionally, pound the chicken breast with a meat mallet for uniform thickness.

Tip: Place chicken breasts in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before slicing for easier cutting.

How To Make Crispy Chicken Cutlets In The Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400 ℉.
Crack eggs into a shallow, wide bowl and beat until mixed.

Add seasonings, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan to a blender, chopper, or food processor and pulse a few times, then transfer this mixture to another shallow bowl.

Blender with breading and seasoning next to cheese and seasonings

Dip chicken into the egg until coated, then into the breadcrumbs and press until fully coated on both sides.

Chicken in dish with beaten egg, panko breadcrumbs, next to raw chicken cutlets

Chicken cuter laid in panko breadcrumbs next to beated eggs and and chicken cutlets

Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Place chicken in the basket in a single layer, not overlapping.
Spray the tops of the chicken with additional cooking spray.

Air fryer basket with cooking spray with chicken in basket it a single layer not overlapping

Cook for 7 minutes or until the top is crispy, then flip.
Continue cooking until crispy on top and until the chicken has reached 165 ℉, about 5-7 additional minutes.

Air fryer basket with cooking spray with cooked chicken in basket it a single layer not overlapping

Serve cutlets on buns with lettuce, tomato, and mayo or as desired.

Pro Tips

To get the breading to really stick to the chicken, pat the cutlets dry with a paper towel before dipping in the egg. Also, don’t be afraid to use your hands to press breadcrumbs firmly onto both sides.
Preheating the air fryer helps create a crispier crust from the start.
Be sure not to overcrowd the basket. Arrange the cutlets in a single layer for even cooking.
Flip halfway through to ensure both sides get crispy.
Chicken should reach an internal temp of 165 ℉. An internal meat thermometer is the best way to check doneness.
To avoid overcooking, use thin, even cutlets for a consistent cooking time. Also, remove chicken from the basket as soon as it reaches 165 ℉ to prevent dryness.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

The base recipe for air fryer chicken cutlets is so simple that you might even want to try your own unique version!

For different breading options, go with a gluten-free version by using your preferred gluten-free breadcrumbs. For a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan, increase the breadcrumbs, and adjust the seasoning to preference.
If you’d like grilled-style cutlets without any breading, lightly coat the chicken in olive oil and seasonings and cook as directed.
Try flavor variations to fit with one of these cuisines:
- Italian: Add oregano, basil, and extra Parmesan.
- Mexican: Use taco seasoning and swap Parmesan for cotija cheese.
- BBQ: Use smoked paprika and serve with BBQ sauce.
Want to try out chicken cutlets with a different cooking method? These are also easy options!
- Bake in the oven at 400 ℉ for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Cook in a skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side.

Served Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets garnished

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

A few chicken cutlets can make so many tasty meals!

Serve a crispy chicken cutlet on a sandwich with a toasted bun and lettuce, tomato, and mayo, as well as a side of Air Fryer Waffle Fries. Another option is to serve a breaded cutlet over spaghetti with marinara or Alfredo sauce.

Top a Caesar or garden salad with sliced crispy chicken for extra protein, or serve as the main entrée with roasted vegetables, garlic bread, and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover cutlets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended since the breaded chicken loses its crispiness.

To reheat, add back to the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3–5 minutes until hot and crispy again, or add to the oven at 375 ℉ for about 10 minutes. While you can use the microwave, it’s not ideal since the breading might get soggy.