Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Crispy golden air fryer chicken cutlets on a gray serving platter.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Crispy, crunchy, easy, and fast! For gluten-free use GF panko, or use regular panko if desired.

Prep Time3

Cook Time12

Total Time15

Course: Dinner, Entree

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 241kcal

Author: Sally Cameron

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

Leftovers

Leftover chicken cutlets last 2-3 days refrigerated in an airtight container. The panko crust softens a little as they hold. To crisp them up again, pop them back in your air fryer at 400°F for 4-5 minutes. I've done this after a day and they were so good for lunch with a salad I was amazed! They are even good cold.

About gluten-free panko crumbs

I tested multiple brands of GF panko breadcrumbs and found that Ian's GF panko crumbs worked the best. Aleia's gluten-free panko also worked well. If your local store does not carry them, order on Amazon.

Nutrition