Need a fast and easy dinner? These thin, crispy air fryer chicken cutlets are ready in minutes. With a quick dip in egg wash, a coating of panko or breadcrumbs, and just 11-12 minutes in the air fryer, you'll have golden cutlets that are juicy inside and crunchy outside. I'll share my simple tip for the perfect crust - plus options for making this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe gluten-free or with classic panko. This is weeknight fast food, made better. Much better!
These air fryer chicken cutlets go with just about everything. Serve them with a simple salad, over pasta, in a sandwich, or as an easy main with roasted veggies. Because they're air fried, you get the crunch of fried chicken with a lot less oil and effort. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or whenever you need a dinner everyone will love.
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Why You'll Love Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Fast & easy - these chicken cutlets cook in just 11-12 minutes in the air fryer.
- Crispy without deep frying - all the crunch, but lighter and with less oil.
- Gluten-free or not - make them with regular panko or gluten-free crumbs.
- No flour needed - a simple egg wash and crumb coating keeps them light and golden.
No air fryer? This reader favorite recipe for easy chicken parmesan is made on the stovetop.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets (saves money vs. pre-cut), but buy sliced cutlets for convenience.
- Egg - Helps the crumb coating stick.
- Parmesan cheese - Finely grated for salty flavor (omit for dairy-free).
- Breadcrumbs - Gluten-free panko, regular panko, or classic breadcrumbs all work (see notes below). My homemade breadcrumbs work great.
- Garlic powder - Adds a savory boost.
- Onion powder - Enhances flavor depth.
- Paprika - Regular or smoked, for color and subtle warmth.
- Italian seasoning - A simple dried herb blend for balance.
- Fresh parsley - Optional garnish for freshness and color.
- Cooking spray - Pure avocado or olive oil spray for crisping.
Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, black pepper, and complete directions.
Chef's tip on panko vs. breadcrumbs: Panko crumbs give the cutlets an extra-light, crispy texture, while regular breadcrumbs create a finer crust. Both work - it just depends on the crunch you prefer
Substitutions and Variations
- Spicy chicken cutlets - Add cayenne, chipotle powder, or even a pinch of cumin and coriander for a kick.
- Herb swap - Use a single dried herb such as oregano or thyme in place of Italian seasoning.
- Extra golden color - Stir a little turmeric into the seasoning blend.
- Kid-friendly chicken tenders - Swap chicken breasts for chicken tenders and leave them whole for homemade air fryer chicken tenders.
- Want Italian-style? For extra Italian flair, boost the breadcrumb mix with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a little more dried oregano or basil. It makes the flavor closer to the classic fried Italian chicken cutlets - but lighter and crispier from the air fryer.
Chef's tip on GF panko crumbs: If you are gluten-free, I tested four brands of gluten-free panko: Ian's gluten-fee panko, Chef Nathan's, Aleias, and 4C gluten-free panko. I found they performed best when refined as bit as the crumbs are generally large. To refine, buzz briefly in a food processor, crush them in a pie plate with a flat meat pounder, or put them in a zip bag and use a rolling pin to crush just a bit. You'll get a finer coating but one that's still textured and crispy. Don't crush too much, leave some texture. The one I prefer is Ians. If you watch carbs, Aleias and 4C had the lowest carbs.
How to Cut Chicken Breast into Cutlets
If you'd rather slice your own chicken breasts into cutlets versus buying the thin-cut chicken breast cutlets, here's how to do it:
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
For thin-sliced chicken breasts in the air fryer, I can get 4 cutlets in my 6-quart model basket. How many you can fit will depend on the size of your air fryer.
Chef's Tips for Success
- Refine the crumbs - If your panko pieces are extra large, pulse them briefly in a food processor for a finer, more even coating or crush in a zip bag with a rolling pin or meat pounder.
- Oil spray matters - A light mist of avocado or olive oil spray helps the coating turn golden and crisp in the air fryer.
- Cook to temp - Always check chicken with a thermometer; cutlets are done when they reach 165°F at the thickest part.
For another air fryer recipe that a super side dish, try these air fryer red potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer chicken cutlets are endlessly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic dinner - Pair with roasted vegetables, rice, and a green salad. Or serve alongside mashed potatoes or whipped sweet potatoes for comfort food style.
- Light & fresh - Top a crisp salad with sliced cutlets. Try fennel, avocado, and citrus salad with an orange vinaigrette for a bright, seasonal option.
- With sauces - Serve with homemade BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or cocktail sauce. They're also delicious drizzled with melted butter or a flavored olive oil (lemon or herb).
- Simple & satisfying - These cutlets are crispy and flavorful enough to enjoy just as they are, straight from the air fryer.
Serve air fryer chicken cutlets with a dipping sauce such as homemade bbq sauce, or cocktail sauce. Drizzle them with melted butter or a nice flavored olive oil (lemon or herb work well). Really, they are good just plain as they are, nothing needed.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken cutlets in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Place wax paper between layers to protect the coating. The crust will soften slightly as it sits.
- Reheating: To restore the crunch, reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 4-5 minutes. They re-crisp beautifully - perfect for lunch with a salad the next day.
- Cold option: These cutlets are even tasty cold, sliced into sandwiches or added to a salad.
Recipe FAQs
Some recipe teach a full traditional breading with egg wash and flour. I find that just using egg in this recipe works fine and the panko crumbs stick just nicely. No flour needed, and it's a little lighter.
First, use panko crumbs, which are naturally more textured providing for crispy cutlets. Regular breadcrumbs work as well, they are just give a finer coating. Second, a good trick is to spray the top of the chicken cutlets with a little avocado oil spray. They come out nice, golden, and crispy.
Yes. Turning the cutlets half way insures even cooking. Start with the nicer side up (the presentation side).
If frozen, thaw chicken cutlets before cooking. The safest way to thaw is overnight in the refrigerator. Another way is to quick thaw by submerging the sealed package in cold water and changing every 20-30 minutes until the chicken is thawed.
More Chicken Recipes
Most of eat a lot of chicken as it's so versatile. From boneless to bone-in, whole chicken to chicken breasts and thighs, here are more recipes to keep things interesting. Check out the chicken recipes index page for more ideas. More air fryer recipes are on the way!
⭐️Did You Make This Recipe?
If you make air fryer chicken cutlets, please add your comment. I appreciate your feedback and enjoy hearing from you. If you loved it, please give it a 5-star rating! They really help other readers.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Equipment
- Air fryer I use a 6 quart
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1-1 ¼ pounds thin cut chicken cutlets or regular boneless, skinless breasts to slice yourself
- 1 large egg
Chicken coating
- ⅔ cup GF or regular panko crumbs I recommend Ian's for GF
- ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika regular or smoked
- avocado oil spray
Instructions
Start here with boneless chicken breasts
- Place the chicken breasts smooth side up on a cutting board. Position a sharp slicing knife at the top end of the chicken breast parallel to the cutting board centered in the chicken. Slice the chicken into two pieces creating cutlets. See photos in the post. Proceed with the recipe.
Start here with pre-sliced thin chicken cutlets
- Add the panko crumbs to a small zip bag and crush lightly to refine them with a meat pounder or rolling pin. Don't crush completely, leave some texture.
- Add the panko, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders, and paprika to a pie plate or flat dish and mix well. Crack the egg into a medium bowl and whisk to blend.
- Roll one chicken cutlet in the egg to coat, then lay flat in the pie plate of panko and coat both sides of the chicken, gently pressing the crumbs on to cover. Repeat with other three chicken cutlets. Place them on a clean plate or baking sheet and transfer to near the air fryer.
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 400°F and set timer for 12 minutes. When air fryer is hot, add the cutlets with the nicer side up first. Spray all four lightly with avocado oil. Air fry, turning at 6 minutes. Chicken is done when it is 165°F measure internally with a digital thermometer. Chicken cutlets are ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Mindy says
We loved this! My husband said the breading was delicious, and I agree!
Sally Cameron says
Hi Mindy, thanks for reporting back. So happy the you enjoyed it!
Greg Divine says
Excellent recipe!!! We all absolutely loved it . It’s already been added to my Favorites and it will be made frequently from now on . Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe with us.
Sally Cameron says
Thanks for commenting Greg, you made my day! Yeah, we love that one too. If you like mahi mahi, try that AF recipe too!
Porsche guy says
Wow, these are really easy and fast. Thanks very much. I love using my air fryer.!