Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

If you love crispy chicken cutlets but don’t love the mess (or calories) of deep frying, this air fryer version is about to become your new go-to. These air fryer chicken cutlets are golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and come together quickly with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

I made these Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets with seasoned Italian Bread Crumbs, but it is also delicious with Panko Style Bread Crumbs. It is important to use thinly sliced chicken cutlets for this recipe. If I can’t find any in the store, I will butterfly regular chicken breast. Sometimes chicken breasts are so thick, I can create 3 thinly sliced cutlets from each chicken breast. In my experience, Perdue sells the best thinly sliced cutlets. Trader Joe’s thin cutlets are too thick, so I end up just buying their regular cutlets and butterflying them myself to get the thinness that i want.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe

Air frying gives you that irresistible crunch without submerging your food in oil. That means:

• Less grease and fewer calories
• Faster cooking time
• Easy cleanup
• Perfectly crispy results every time

Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner, prepping lunches, or building the ultimate chicken sandwich, these cutlets deliver.

What temperature and time do I use for this recipe?

I cooked these thinly sliced chicken cutlets at 400F for 14 minutes, flipping them after 7 minutes. They come out crispy and delicious. If you re using thicker chicken breasts, you will need to increase the cook time.

Making Chicken Cutlets in the Air Fryer

These Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are so delicious and you won’t believe how easy they are to make. Chicken Cutlets are one of the first things I learned how to make. I remember loving them so much growing up and it was one of the first things I asked my mom to help me make. Normally chicken cutlets cook in a pan with oil, which could be dangerous for a kid, so this method is healthier and much safer if you want your children to help you make it.

1. Prepare the Chicken

Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thin cutlets. If needed, gently pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly.

2. Set Up Your Breading Station

You’ll need two shallow bowls:

• Bowl 1: Breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan
• Bowl 2: Beaten eggs

3. Bread the Cutlets

Dip each piece of chicken in the egg and then breadcrumb mixture. Press lightly so the coating sticks well.

4. Air Fry to Perfection

Lightly spray the basket and the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. Place the cutlets in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Cook for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F / 74°C).

5. Serve and Enjoy

Let the cutlets rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This helps keep them juicy inside.

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 lb Thinly Sliced Chicken Cutlets there should be 4 or 5 cutlets and they have to be thinly sliced. Perdue sells the best thinly sliced raw cutlets. They are so thin and make the crispiest cutlet.
• 1 Large Egg
• 3/4 cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese the type that comes in a shaker can
• Avocado Oil Spray Olive Oil also works

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Create a prep station by laying out two shallow bowls and a plate
• Mix the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs together in one shallow bowl
• Beat the large egg in the other shallow bowl
• Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture. After dipping it into the egg mixture, let the excess egg fall off of the chicken before adding it to the breadcrumbs. Evenly coat each cutlet with breadcrumbs. Repeat with all cutlets
• Spray the air fryer rack with avocado oil spray and then add the chicken cutlets to the rack. Only three fit side by side in mine so I had to cook in batches.
• Spray the top of the chicken with avocado spray and then cook for 14 minutes at 400F. Repeat until all cutlets are cooked.

NOTES

Cutlets should be no thicker than 1/4 inch thick

If you like this recipe, you may also like:

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Air Fryer Arancini

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings

Air fryer chicken cutlets prove that you don’t need a deep fryer to get that satisfying crunch. With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you’ll have a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish that feels indulgent—but is actually pretty light.