Air-fryer chicken cutlets are absolutely delicious. The air fryer does a perfect job of crisping up the seasoned bread crumbs, resulting in a golden crust without all that extra oil you’d get with fried chicken. And since these thin chicken breasts cook quickly, they stay super juicy, even without a marinade.
If you’re cooking for more than one person, scale the recipe up to make additional cutlets. Just make sure to cook the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer, which may mean cooking your chicken in batches.
Ingredients for Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: You can turn a regular boneless, skinless chicken breast into a cutlet at home. Simply pound the chicken into a thinner piece, and it will cook quickly and evenly. We’ve got some tips below for the best way to make chicken cutlets.
- Seasoned flour: Flour creates a dry coating for this air-fryer chicken recipe, and it’s the first step in creating a breading that actually sticks to the chicken. We season the flour with garlic powder, onion powder and pepper.
- Buttermilk: This recipe uses buttermilk instead of eggs for breading the chicken. It tenderizes the meat and adds a fantastic tangy element.
- Parmesan cheese: We add a little grated Parmesan cheese to the buttermilk coating. Parmesan is slightly salty, and it adds the perfect hint of richness.
- Seasoned bread crumbs: There are plenty of bread crumb options to pick from at the store, but we like to make our own. This let us control how much salt we add to them and customize the herbs and spices when we make homemade seasoned bread crumbs.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare a breading station
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. In another bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and buttermilk. Place the seasoned bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl.
Step 2: Flatten the chicken
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Flatten the chicken to 1/4-inch thickness.
Editor’s Tip: There are many ways to flatten boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can pound it flat with a meat mallet, or you can butterfly the chicken, to name just a couple easy options!
Step 3: Bread the chicken
Coat the chicken first with the flour mixture. Then dip it into the buttermilk. Finish by coating it with the bread crumbs.
Step 4: Air-fry the chicken
Place the chicken on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket. Spritz the chicken with cooking spray. Cook until the breading is golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn the chicken once to promote even cooking.
Editor’s Tip: Cook times can vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. Begin checking at the first time listed, and adjust as needed. Overcooking can dry out the chicken cutlet, so pull it when it reaches 165° (the correct temperature of cooked chicken).
Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets Variations
- Adjust the spices: Season the flour with other herbs and spices (like the blend we use in KFC’s secret recipe). Or add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the buttermilk to add a touch of heat.
- Substitute panko bread crumbs: Panko bread crumbs are ground into coarser flakes than regular bread crumbs, giving air-fried food an extra-crispy exterior.
- Make pan-fried chicken cutlets: No air fryer? No problem! You can cook the chicken cutlets on the stovetop. Heat a small amount of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the breaded cutlet for five to seven minutes per side, until no longer pink. Drain the cutlet on a paper towel to catch excess grease before serving.
- Turn it into a sandwich: For a fun twist, turn chicken cutlets into a quick Parmesan chicken sandwich by topping it with marinara and mozzarella. Let the cheese melt for a few minutes in the air fryer, slide it onto a bun, and you’re set!
How to Store Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets
These cutlets taste best when eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for three to four days. The best way to reheat fried chicken is in the air fryer. Simply spritz each side of the leftover chicken with cooking spray. Pop it in a 350° air fryer, and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°, flipping every three minutes to promote even cooking.
For extended storage, you can freeze cooked chicken in freezer-safe resealable bags for up to 4 months.
Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlet Tips
What is a chicken cutlet?
A chicken cutlet is a thin chicken breast. It may come already prepped from the grocery store, or you can prepare them yourself at home. You can use different cuts of chicken in this recipe, but chicken breasts are the best. They become a visually pleasing shape, and they cook quickly in the air fryer. The cook time may vary if you swap in chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins.
Why won’t the breading stick to the chicken cutlets?
Breading will only stick to chicken cutlets if the chicken is dry enough for the flour to adhere. Our number one breaded chicken tip is to start with dry chicken, and air-fryer breading is no different from regular fried chicken breading. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before adding it to the seasoned flour. After the chicken is floured and dipped in buttermilk, press down firmly in the seasoned bread crumbs to ensure they stick.
Can you marinate air-fryer chicken cutlets before breading them?
You can definitely marinate your air-fryer chicken cutlets in your favorite marinade. Or take inspiration from this grilled buttermilk chicken, and try an overnight buttermilk soak. You’ll want to shake off most of the liquid before starting the dredging step, then continue to cook as directed.
How can you serve air-fryer chicken cutlets?
These chicken cutlets pair perfectly with many of your favorite side dishes for fried chicken, such as grilled veggies or a serving of pasta. You can also serve the crispy cutlets on top of a Caesar salad or spinach salad.
