Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets (Printable View)

Crispy chicken cutlets with parm, panko, and spices cooked quickly in an air fryer.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb)

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tablespoons milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (90 g)
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (40 g)
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Olive oil spray

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Place chicken breasts between parchment sheets and pound to 1/2-inch thickness.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: flour in bowl one; beaten eggs with milk in bowl two; seasoned panko mixture in bowl three.
04 - Dredge each breast in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat evenly with the panko blend, pressing to adhere.
05 - Lightly spray both sides of each cutlet with olive oil spray.
06 - Place cutlets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, flip the cutlets, spray again, and cook an additional 6 to 7 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Allow cutlets to rest for 2 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Takes 30 minutes total and tastes like you've been frying all day.
  • Actually healthier than deep fried, but no one will believe you when they taste how crispy it is.
  • Works for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing someone at the last minute.
02 -
  • If you skip the oil spray, your cutlets will be pale and lack that satisfying crunch—I learned this the hard way the first time I tried to skip it.
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness is what separates dry edges from juicy centers; don't rush this step.
  • A meat mallet makes this easier, but even a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan works if you don't have one.
03 -
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature—165°F is the target, and it takes the guesswork out of doneness.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 6 minutes for the first side; every air fryer has its own personality and a minute makes the difference between perfect and overdone.
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