Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe

Overhead view of two air fryer chicken cutlets on a plate with mixed greens and lemon wedges. Salt, pepper, fork, a napkin, and more lemon wedges off to the side.

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe

Whether you want a quick way to add protein to your favorite salads and bowls or are looking for a main dish to round out a meal, these customizable Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are the answer!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 24

Total Time 39

Servings servings

Calories 274kcal

Author John Kanell

Equipment

Air fryer
Olive oil spray
3 shallow, wide bowls or pie plates

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1½ pounds, 675g)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 cups seasoned Panko breadcrumbs (120g)

Instructions

Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thin cutlets. If necessary, pound the cutlets out to be an even thickness (about ½-inch thick).
Season the cutlets on both sides with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
In a shallow bowl, place the flour. In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water. In a third shallow bowl, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip them in the egg mixture, draining off the excess. Then, press them into the breadcrumbs to coat them completely.
Spray the basket of an air fryer with olive oil spray. Working in two batches, place two chicken cutlets in a single layer, leaving space between them. Spray the top of the cutlets with olive oil spray.
Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip the cutlets and spray with more olive oil spray. Cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F. Repeat with the last two cutlets.

Notes

Don't rinse your chicken! This helps to spread the raw chicken juices in and around your sink and can make a big mess. Instead, pat the chicken dry to remove any excess juices before slicing and pounding the cutlets.
To season the cutlets easily, mix the salt, garlic powder, and pepper together in a small bowl before sprinkling it on the chicken all at once.
Only have plain breadcrumbs? Not to worry. Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to plain Panko to replicate the pre-seasoned variety. For a cheesy finish, you can add up to ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.
Any type of cooking oil will work, but I prefer olive oil or avocado oil spray. Don't have cooking spray? Drizzle the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and massage it in with your fingers before breading.
Try not to use aerosolized cooking spray for your actual air fryer basket; some of the propellants can accumulate and damage the non-stick coating. I recommend getting a reusable pump-style oil spray bottle you fill yourself or looking for a brand of spray oil that is labeled as non-aerosol or safe for air fryers.

Nutrition