Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are crispy, golden, and ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy cutlets every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Ravioli Soup Recipe with Spinach and Parmesan and Creamy Peach Protein Shake for Quick Summer Breakfast.

What You'll Need for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Optional: Lemon wedges
• Optional: Fresh parsley

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes

1. Prepare chicken: Thinly slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 cutlets. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Set up breading station: In one shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. In another bowl, beat eggs. In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs.
3. Bread the chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in beaten eggs, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Air fry the chicken: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush both sides of each cutlet with olive oil. Arrange cutlets in air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Storing & Reheating Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Bread the chicken up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to air fry.

Freezing Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes

Freeze cooked cutlets for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy version, add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
• Best substitution: Substitute almond flour for a gluten-free version.
• Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
• Troubleshooting: If chicken is not crispy, increase air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and reduce cooking time to 8-10 minutes.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

10-12 mins

⏳

Total

25-30 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free option

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Optional Toppings

• Lemon wedges
• Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Prepare chicken: Thinly slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 cutlets. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Set up breading station: In one shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. In another bowl, beat eggs. In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs.
3. Bread the chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in beaten eggs, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Air fry the chicken: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush both sides of each cutlet with olive oil. Arrange cutlets in air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy version, add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
• Best substitution: Substitute almond flour for a gluten-free version.
• Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
• Troubleshooting: If chicken is not crispy, increase air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and reduce cooking time to 8-10 minutes.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked cutlets for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes.
• Make ahead: Bread the chicken up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to air fry.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 280
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in 20 Minutes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!