Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
4
Published Apr 23, 2024
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This easy recipe for air fryer chicken cutlets requires no breading. It cooks up in under 15 minutes and results in perfectly tender and juicy chicken every time!
Get ready for the easiest air fryer recipe you’ve ever made… air fryer chicken cutlets! This recipe has quickly become my go-to for busy nights.
I love tossing these crispy chicken cutlets into my garlicky kale salad for a protein boost or pairing them with air fryer brussels sprouts and quinoa for a well-rounded dinner. It’s so versatile, quick, and on the table in minutes!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier – Most recipes call for breading made with panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, but we’re keeping things on the lighter side by just marinating the chicken cutlets in a simple mixture then air frying.
- Flavorful – The marinade not only tenderizes the chicken but also brings a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Easy – You don’t need multiple bowls and no dipping in breading for this recipe. Just whip up your marinade, let sit for 30 minutes and air fry. Easy peasy!
- Versatile – Pair this chicken with grains and veggies for dinner, add it to a salad, make tacos… the options are endless.
Ingredients Needed
Outside of the chicken you only need a handful of basic pantry staple ingredients to make the marinade. Here’s what you need:
- chicken – the star of the show! You can either buy chicken cutlets or buy whole skinless chicken breasts that you cut thinly to make chicken cutlets. You should have about 6 pieces total. If you want to use full chicken breasts try my air fryer chicken breast recipe instead.
- apple cider vinegar – for marinating the chicken and adding a tangy flavor.
- honey or maple syrup – adds a slight sweetness to balance the marinade’s acidity. Choose your favorite, honey or maple syrup will both work for this recipe.
- dijon mustard – provides a sharp, rich flavor that isn’t too overpowering.
- garlic – essential for infusing the marinade with that garlicky flavor we all love.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
Flavor Variations
I love this recipe as is, but feel free to experiment with different spices to make this recipe your own. I also love making this recipe with my chicken marinade to switch it up, but here are some other ideas:
- Italian Herb: Mix dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the marinade.
- Spicy Asian: Combine soy sauce, honey, a touch of sriracha or chili paste and minced ginger.
- Smoky BBQ: Use your favorite barbecue sauce mixed with a little apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika for the marinade.
- Mexican: Add a few teaspoons of this taco seasoning to the marinade for a Mexican flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
This recipe couldn’t be any easier! Just mix, marinate and air fry! Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Mix your apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl to make the marinade.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken cutlets in this mixture for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. You can also let this sit overnight for better flavor.
Step 3: When ready, air fry the chicken cutlets at 390°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Step 4: Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Recipe Tips!
- Size matters: Make sure each chicken cutlet is a similar size for even cooking! You can always pound the chicken using a meat mallet if one piece is slightly thicker than the others.
- Don’t crowd: Cook the cutlets in a single layer without overlapping them in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking. If needed, cook in batches to maintain optimal airflow around each cutlet.
- Don’t overcook: There is nothing worse than rubbery chicken, so make sure to check the temperature of the chicken cutlets at the 10 minute mark. You want your chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165ºF before eating. I usually pull mine from the air fryer with an internal temp of 160ºF because it’ll continue to cook during the resting period and come up to temp.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
You could eat these chicken cutlets straight out of the air fryer with no problem, but why not enjoy them with a few sides? Here’s some tasty options to pair with them:
- Veggies: Serve this chicken alongside some vegetables for dinner like these crispy air fryer vegetables or a baked sweet potato.
- Salad: Use this chicken in your salads for some added protein. Some ideas: blueberry corn chicken salad, grilled chicken salad or this roasted harvest bowl.
- Grain bowl: Use this chicken in a grain bowl like this chicken protein bowl or chicken fajita bowl.
- Tacos: Make chicken tacos with this recipe.
How to Store Leftovers
In the fridge: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
In the freezer: I would only freeze the chicken if you’re starting with raw, not previously frozen chicken. I wouldn’t defrost frozen chicken and then freeze it again. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Reheat chicken in the air fryer or on the stove top in a skillet for the best results. You can also reheat the chicken in the microwave, but it’ll lose some of its crispness. If you’re reheating from frozen, let the chicken thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep, you can totally throw raw chicken in the air fryer! It cooks up beautifully, and you’ll end up with juicy, tender chicken without much fuss. Just make sure to cook it at the right temp (around 375°F to 400°F) and check that the internal temp hits 165°F. You’ll get that perfect golden exterior while keeping the inside nice and juicy—so easy!
Preheating isn’t always necessary, but it can help your chicken cook more evenly and get that beautiful golden finish. If your air fryer recommends preheating, go for it!
You’ll want to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors soak in, but if you’ve got time, marinating overnight gives even better results. The longer, the tastier!
To keep your air fryer chicken cutlets juicy, marinating them beforehand works wonders! A quick marinade locks in moisture and boosts flavor. Also, avoid overcooking. Check with a meat thermometer to pull the cutlets at just the right time.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Be sure to check out all of the air fryer recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken cutlets or thinly sliced chicken breast
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the apple cider vinegar, honey or maple, dijon, garlic, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Add chicken cutlets to the mixture and let marinade for at least 30 minutes, but overnight works great too.
- When ready to cook, air fry at 390F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If freezing, use raw (not previously frozen) chicken, and keep it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- This recipe calls for chicken cutlets because they cook up quickly and evenly in the air fryer. If you only have full chicken breasts on hand or prefer a thicker cut, you can use those instead; just check out my air fryer chicken breast recipe for the perfect method!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Loved this! Thank you for this great easy recipe. I put the chicken over salad and made a huge batch for the rest of the week. My kids loved it too!
WOO! This is the best, Brie. I love making these to have on hand throughout the week, so easy! Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I appreciate it!
Looks delicious. We have a convection oven no air fryer. Do you recommend placing cutlets on a rack in a 400 degree oven for same time? Want to avoid them drying out. TIA
Hi! I haven’t tested this recipe in an oven, but I would bake at 400F for 15-20 min (depending on the thickness) and make sure you flip them halfway. Hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know how they turn out for you!