Use your air fryer to make chicken cutlets that are simple, quick, and healthy!
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There is no better way to describe chicken cutlets than to call them an Italian-American classic. Of course, they’re not exclusive to families with Italian heritage. Frying up chicken cutlets is good for any occasion, especially if you have a lot of people to feed. That’s why this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe is perfect because it makes the process of cooking cutlets even easier, not to mention healthier.
Rather than standing over a hot skillet, doing the hard work, and getting grease everywhere, the air fryer does the heavy lifting for you. You might also be pleasantly surprised by the taste. The air fryer allows the breadcrumb-coated cutlets to have a crunch that you won’t get from cooking them on a skillet. At the same time, the inside of the cutlets will be as juicy and flavorful as any chicken cutlets you’ve ever had.
Naturally, before the chicken goes in the air fryer, you’re free to customize the cutlets however you please. Our recipe calls for Italian herbs, garlic powder, and parmesan. But you can play around with paprika, cayenne, pepper flakes, and any type of breadcrumbs you like. After all, part of the beauty of chicken cutlets is that they can be anything you want them to be.
If you don’t happen to have an air fryer at the moment, don’t worry. Instead, you can give baked chicken cutlets a try. Meanwhile, if you do have an air fryer but aren’t in the mood for cutlets, we might recommend a crispy air fryer breaded chicken breast.
Are Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Healthy?
Cooking chicken cutlets in an air fryer is perhaps the healthiest version of chicken cutlets. In the air fryer, you can cut out a lot of the grease that’s unavoidable when frying up cutlets on a skillet. This helps to reduce the fat and calories in the cutlets while also making them a little easier to digest. Also, don’t forget to use low-fat dressing and wholewheat breadcrumbs, not to mention skinless chicken. All of these factors will contribute to making this a healthy meal option.
Mix It Up
As we mentioned, part of what makes chicken cutlets great is the ability to make them your own. Aside from using different spices or breadcrumbs, there are tons of options for the final product. For example, each individual cutlet will be so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside that it can be placed on a hamburger bun and used to make an amazing chicken sandwich or a chicken wrap.
Air fryer chicken cutlets could also be used as part of a chicken parmesan dish. You could also choose to smother the cutlets with homemade sauce or eat them with pasta. These cutlets can also be cut into smaller pieces and used in a crispy chicken salad. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to mix it up and experiment with different uses for your 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
- 1/4 cup low-fat Italian dressing
- 3/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese low-fat version works well
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
- 1 large egg beaten
- Olive oil spray
INSTRUCTIONS
Marinate
Season and marinate the chicken cutlets in a zesty Italian dressing to infuse them with flavor and ensure tenderness.
Bread
Coat the marinated cutlets in a mixture of whole wheat breadcrumbs and Parmesan for a healthy, crispy exterior.
Air Fry
Cook the breaded cutlets in the air fryer until they’re perfectly golden and crispy, flipping once for even cooking.
Serve
Enjoy these succulent chicken cutlets hot and crispy, paired with your favorite sides for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If you have leftovers or want to pre-cook your cutlets, just wait for them to cool and then put them in an airtight container. In the fridge, they’ll be good for 4 or 5 days and up to 3 months if you freeze them.
When using an air fryer, there is no need to use cooking oil. However, a light coating of oil can add a little more crispiness to the chicken.
Yes. It might seem unusual at first, but it’s perfectly fine to put raw chicken in an air fryer and let the air fryer take it from there.
Always place a single layer of chicken cutlets in your air fryer to ensure they are evenly cooked.
Typically, chicken cutlets should marinate in dressing for at least an hour. However, longer is always better.
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.
Easy 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
- 1/4 cup low-fat Italian dressing
- 3/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese low-fat version works well
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
- 1 large egg beaten
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
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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.
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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.
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In a separate shallow dish, mix together the whole wheat breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. In another shallow dish, beat the egg.
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One at a time, dip each marinated chicken cutlet into the beaten egg (allow excess to drip off). Coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
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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.
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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.
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Serve hot from the air fryer.
Nutrition
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