Golden Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

These Golden Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and made with less oil than traditional fried chicken. They’re perfect for sandwiches, salads, pasta, or served with your favorite sides.

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Breading

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Coating

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Cooking spray or olive oil spray

For Serving (Optional)

• Lemon wedges
• Fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Slice each chicken breast horizontally into two thin cutlets. If needed, gently pound them to an even ¼-inch thickness.
2. Pat the chicken dry and lightly brush with olive oil.
3. In one shallow bowl, place the flour.
4. In a second bowl, beat the eggs.
5. In a third bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
6. Dredge each cutlet in the flour, shaking off the excess.
7. Dip into the beaten eggs.
8. Press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
9. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
10. Lightly spray both sides of the breaded cutlets with cooking spray.
11. Arrange the cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
12. Air fry for 5–6 minutes, flip, spray lightly again, and cook for another 4–6 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
13. Let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed.
• Spraying the breading with oil helps create a beautifully crisp, golden crust.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted vegetables
• Caesar salad
• Pasta with marinara
• Garlic bread
• Sandwiches or wraps

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked cutlets for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 25–27 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 320 calories per serving