I love how my air fryer chicken cutlets turn out crispy, golden brown, and delicious! My kids go crazy for these every time I make them.

My Easy Recipe For Chicken Cutlets in the air Fryer

I’m not exaggerating when I say I make air fryer chicken cutlets once a week. It’s one of those meals that’s quick to whip up, and my family goes crazy for them every time!

My kids love anything breaded. So when I was trying to figure out what to make with the chicken cutlets I had in the fridge one night, I thought I’d try coating them in some Italian breadcrumbs and letting the air fryer work its magic.

I couldn’t believe how amazingly crunchy they came out! My kids absolutely devoured the air fryer breaded chicken, and they cooked so much faster and crispier than the oven.

My daughter Leah turned to me and said, “They’re like super big chicken tenders!” I laughed, but now I can’t unsee it because it’s totally true. The chicken cutlets are so loved in my house that that name has stuck around when they ask for them.

And, if you love a good air fryer chicken recipe, try my recipes for air fryer chicken legs, air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer chicken cordon bleu, whole chicken in the air fryer, and air fryer fried chicken.

What is a Chicken Cutlet?

A chicken cutlet is basically a thin slice of chicken breast. I love cutlets because they cook quickly and are great for breading! Because they’re thinner, it’s easier to get them crispy on the outside without drying out the inside.

prepared ingredients for air fryer chicken cutlets

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Ingredients

Chicken cutlets – I’ve bought specific cutlets or even just sliced a chicken breast in half to create one myself
Eggs
Italian breadcrumbs
Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion Powder
Cayenne – this is optional, but I love the little kick of spice it gives
Salt and pepper

How to Cook Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Pat the chicken dry using a paper towel, then season the chicken with salt and pepper.

STEP TWO: In a small container or bowl, whisk the eggs. In a separate container, combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings.

STEP THREE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

cover chicken cutlets in egg and bread crumbs

STEP FOUR: Dredge the chicken cutlet in the eggs, flipping and covering each side. Shake off any excess egg. Next, lay it in the breadcrumbs, using your fingers to completely cover the chicken. Flip and repeat on the other side, then shake off any excess breading. Repeat with the rest of the chicken.

cook chicken cutlets in single layer in air fryer

STEP FIVE: Lay the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket or tray and cook them for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They are done when the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

STEP SIX: Repeat with any remaining cutlets, then serve and enjoy.

flip chicken cutlets over halfway through cook time

Tips For the Best Thin Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

Pat the thin chicken breasts dry using a paper towel. I find this helps the egg and breading to really stick to the chicken.
I use an Instant Read Thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. That way, I know they’re cooked perfectly!
Season both the chicken and the breading for layers of flavor.
I bread the chicken with my hands so I can really press the breadcrumbs into the cutlets. This is my secret to super crispy chicken!
Don’t overcrowd the basket. I always leave room between each cutlet so the hot air can circulate properly and crisp them up on all sides.
Flip the chicken cutlets halfway through the cooking time so they cook evenly on all sides.

Air Fry Chicken Cutlets Variations and substitutions

Swap the breadcrumbs for Panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier texture. This is one of my favorite ways to switch up the recipe.
Add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for a delicious, cheesy twist. My kids go crazy for this version!
Experiment with spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder to mix up the flavor.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or pork rinds. I made these for a friend recently and they tasted just as amazing!
Top with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for an extra burst of flavor. I also love the pop of green!

What to Serve with Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts

I love serving my air fryer chicken cutlets with air fryer garlic bread, air fryer baby potatoes, or creamed corn. When I’m looking for a nutritious side to round out the meal, air fryer acorn squash, air fryer asparagus, and air fryer carrots with a little salad are my go-to!

I also love to dip them in a sauce like BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or sriracha mayo, while my kids go with basic ketchup.

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets FAQs

How to cut chicken breasts into chicken cutlets

If I only have chicken breasts, I’ll place one on a cutting board, hold it flat with my hand, and then use a sharp knife to slice the breast in half lengthwise into two evenly sized pieces.

Next, I put the thin chicken breasts in a plastic bag or between plastic wrap and pound them to ¼ inch thick with a meat mallet or heavy skillet. Then I repeat the process until I have enough chicken cutlets!

How to store an air fryer chicken cutlet

If I have leftovers, I let the chicken fully cool before placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Letting them cool is important so the condensation doesn’t make the breading soggy.

Cooked and sliced air fryer chicken cutlets

How to reheat chicken cutlets in the air fryer

The air fryer is my favorite way to reheat leftover cutlets! I simply preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, place the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket or tray, then cook for 4-5 minutes until they’re heated through and crispy on the outside.

Can I stack chicken in the air fryer?

I don’t recommend stacking chicken in the air fryer. I want my chicken cutlets to get nice and crispy, and to achieve that, the hot air needs to be able to circulate on all sides of the chicken, so I always cook it in a single layer.

How do I get breading to stick to Air Fryer chicken cutlets?

My number one trick to getting the breading to stick is to use my hands! I really press the breadcrumbs into the chicken with my fingers and get a nice, crispy coating every time. I also recommend patting the chicken dry with a paper towel prior to coating them with egg.

How long to cook thin chicken breast in the air fryer?

I find raw chicken cutlets like in my recipe take just 10 to 12 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F.

If I’m making Perdue breaded chicken breast cutlets, which are pre-cooked, I just preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook them for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through.

air fryer chicken cutlets on plate with veggies

Can I put raw chicken in the air fryer?

Absolutely! The air fryer is a great tool for cooking raw chicken. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F to be sure the chicken is cooked all the way through.

Are chicken cutlets the same as chicken breasts?

Chicken cutlets are chicken breasts that have been sliced into smaller pieces, so basically thin chicken breasts. They’re the same cut of meat, but I prefer them because they cook much faster and more evenly.

Why aren’t my air fryer breaded chicken cutlets crispy?

Overcrowding the air fryer is the most common reason chicken cutlets don’t get crispy! I always leave plenty of space around each one so the hot air can crisp up the breading on all sides. I also make sure to let my air fryer fully preheat before adding the chicken!

More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

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