These crisp and tender Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets are perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner!
Frying up chicken cutlets is suitable for any occasion, especially if you have a lot of people to feed. That’s why this air-fryer chicken cutlets recipe is perfect—it makes cooking cutlets even easier and healthier.
Rather than standing over a hot skillet and getting grease everywhere, the air fryer does the heavy lifting. Plus, these air-fryer cutlets taste just as delicious as their greasy counterparts. The air fryer crisps up the breadcrumb-coated cutlets, so you get that satisfying crunch without the excess oil. At the same time, the inside of the cutlets gets as juicy and tender as any chicken cutlets you’ve ever had.
Naturally, before the chicken goes into the air fryer, you can customize the cutlets however you please. This recipe calls for Italian herbs, garlic powder, and Parmesan. But you can play around with paprika, cayenne, pepper flakes, and any kind of breadcrumb mix you prefer. After all, part of the beauty of chicken cutlets is that they can be anything you want them to be.
Are Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets Healthy?
When using an air fryer, you can eliminate most of the oil typically used for traditional chicken cutlets, reducing fat and calories. Also, remember to use low-fat dressing, whole-wheat breadcrumbs, and skinless chicken. All of these factors contribute to making this a healthy meal option.
Mix It Up
Part of what makes chicken cutlets great is that they’re so customizable. Aside from using different spices or breadcrumbs, there are tons of options for the final product. For example, these cutlets are super tasty on a bun or wrap. Add your favorite sauce and cheese, and you have a whole new take on this recipe.
Air-fried chicken cutlets can also be part of a chicken Parmesan dish, smothered with a Tomato Sauce and some Homemade Pasta. They can also be cut into smaller pieces and used in a crispy chicken salad. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment!
How To Make Ahead And Store
If you have leftovers or want to precook your cutlets, wait for them to cool and then put them in an airtight container. In the fridge, they’ll be good for 4 days and up to 3 months if you freeze them.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re not using your chicken cutlets in a chicken Parmesan recipe, there are plenty of great side dishes that can complement your cutlets. For starters, try a good, old-fashioned baked potato. You also can’t go wrong with any vegetable side dish, including Roasted Potatoes And Carrots. For a fresh take on vegetables, consider Broccoli Bites as a side dish for air fryer chicken cutlets.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each), trimmed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
- 1/4 cup low-fat Italian dressing
- 3/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese low-fat version works well
- 1 large egg
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Begin by slicing each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create four thinner cutlets. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the cutlets to an even thickness (about 1/4 inch). This ensures even cooking and tender meat.
- Whisk together the kosher salt, garlic powder, and Italian herb blend in a shallow dish. Add the Italian dressing and place the chicken cutlets in the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 1 hour.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix together the whole-wheat breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. In another shallow dish, beat the egg.
- One at a time, dip each marinated chicken cutlet into the beaten egg (allow excess to drip off). Coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air-fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 4 minutes until the top is golden.
- Flip the cutlets, give them a light spray of olive oil and continue to air fry for another 4 minutes (they need to be golden brown). If you have a meat thermometer, target 165°F.
- Serve hot from the air fryer.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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