Chicken cutlets are a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of delicious meals. From classic dishes like chicken parmesan to creative recipes like buffalo chicken sliders, the possibilities are endless when cooking with chicken cutlets.
Chicken cutlets are thin, flattened pieces of chicken breast that cook quickly and absorb flavors easily. Their convenience makes them a perfect choice for easy weeknight dinners. Whether you buy them pre-cut at the grocery store or pound them yourself from chicken breasts, chicken cutlets should be a staple in your kitchen.
Here are 15 amazing recipes to give you ideas for what to make with chicken cutlets
1. Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan is a quick and easy way to make a classic Italian-American dish. This recipe makes a satisfying family dinner with breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. It goes well with pasta. To make it taste even better, try adding Italian seasoning to the breadcrumbs.
2. Chicken Marsala
Chicken marsala is another Italian favorite made using chicken cutlets. They are cooked in a Marsala wine sauce after being sautéed with garlic and mushrooms. The wine gives the chicken a rich flavor that goes well with it. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
3. Chicken Piccata
It’s great to eat chicken piccata, which is a dish that tastes like lemon. They are dredged in flour, fried, and served with a sauce made of white wine, lemon, butter, capers, and capers. It’s easy to make chicken piccata, which makes it a great choice for a weeknight dinner. Try serving it with rice or roasted vegetables.
4. Chicken Fajitas
Transform chicken cutlets into easy chicken fajitas for Taco Tuesday. Season the cutlets with a mix of fajita spices, then cook them with onions and peppers. Add guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, or any other toppings you like to the tortillas and wrap the fajitas.
5. Chicken Francese
Originating from Italy, chicken Francese features chicken dipped in egg and flour then sautéed in lemon butter. The tangy lemon sauce brightens up the tender chicken cutlets. This quick 30-minute meal goes well with pasta or a fresh salad.
6. Chicken Milanese
For an easy version of the Italian classic, bread chicken cutlets with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and pan-fry until crispy. Top with arugula and Parmesan for a complete chicken Milanese meal. The crunchy breaded cutlets pair nicely with tomato sauce for dipping.
7. Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Game day finger foods get an upgrade with these spicy buffalo chicken sliders. Coat the chicken cutlets in hot sauce and blue cheese then pile them onto mini buns. Serve with celery sticks and more blue cheese dressing for cooling contrast.
8. Chicken Tenders
For a kid-friendly dinner, turn to homemade chicken tenders. Simply coat chicken cutlets with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and spices and bake until golden. Kids will love customizing their tenders with fun dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue.
9. Chicken Cordon Bleu
Take your dinner up a notch with chicken cordon bleu. Stuff chicken cutlets with ham and Swiss cheese, coat in breadcrumbs and bake. The melted cheese and smoky ham fill the chicken with flavor. Serve with a side of potatoes or rice to complete the meal.
10. Chicken Fried Steak
While typically made with beef, chicken fried steak swaps in chicken cutlets for a lighter version. After pounding the cutlets to an even thickness, coat them in seasoned flour and pan fry until crispy. Drizzle with gravy for authentic chicken fried steak.
11. Chicken Saltimbocca
Chicken saltimbocca features chicken cutlets topped with prosciutto and sage then cooked in a white wine sauce. The Italian ham adds a savory depth that pairs perfectly with the sage’s woodsy notes. Serve over angel hair pasta for an easy yet elegant dinner.
12. Chicken Kabobs
Make dinnertime more fun by skewering chicken cutlets for kabobs. Marinate the chicken in Greek yogurt and spices overnight before sliding it onto skewers with vegetables. Grill the kabobs until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
13. Chicken Pot Pie
Comfort food at its finest, chicken pot pie is a great way to use up leftover chicken cutlets. Make an easy filling by sautéing chicken with frozen vegetables in a cream sauce. Spoon into a pie crust and top with more pastry. Chicken pot pie makes a satisfying cold weather meal.
14. Thai Peanut Chicken
Add an Asian flair to your chicken cutlets with a Thai peanut sauce. Pound chicken cutlets to an even thickness then sauté and coat in a creamy, nutty sauce of peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger and red pepper flakes. Serve over rice noodles for a quick weekday stir fry.
15. Chicken Caprese Sandwiches
Bring the flavors of a caprese salad between bread with these easy chicken caprese sandwiches. Top grilled or pan-fried chicken cutlets with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic reduction on crusty rolls. The tomato juices combine with the balsamic for amazing flavor.
Chicken cutlets are endlessly versatile. Fry, bake, grill or sauté them then pair with vegetables, cheeses, sauces and grains for a quick, easy dinner option any night of the week. With a variety of prep methods and global flavor combinations, you’ll never get bored cooking with chicken cutlets.
Why anyone can cook chicken cutlets at home:
- You don’t have to pound out your own chicken breasts because you can buy them thinly sliced.
- Use store bought Panko bread crumbs.
- There are minimal ingredients to this recipe.
- Because the chicken is so thin, the cutlets cook very quickly.
- There are only a few easy steps to the process.
- Thinly Sliced Chicken Breasts
- Panko Bread Crumbs (can use gluten free here as well)
- Flour (can also use gluten free all purpose flour)
- Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
- Good oil: I like to use olive oil or a mix of olive oil and avocado oil. The avocado oil can cook at a higher temperature than the olive oil, which keeps it from getting burned.
There is truly nothing better than a fresh cutlet straight from the pan. I simply shallow fry the cutlets on each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and chicken has been cooked through. Then I put the crispy cutlets on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain the extra oil. I then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Serve as you wish from there!.
You can of course also cook these cutlets in the air fryer as well, but nothing compares to the real deal pan fried cutlet. BUT if you want to air fry the cutlets, follow all instructions up until the frying point and spray with oil on both sides. Air fry for 6-8 minutes until golden, flipping once.
How to Make Perfect Crispy Chicken Cutlets | From the Test Kitchen | Bon Appetit
FAQ
What else can you do with chicken cutlets?
Often fried until golden brown and crispy, cutlets can be used in so many more ways. They’re great wrapped in prosciutto or bacon, which adds fat and flavor to the lean cut. They’re also tasty simmered in a cream sauce, or topped with a zesty salsa.
What are chicken cutlets good for?
Chicken cutlets are a godsend when it comes to quick and easy meals. The thin slices are great for frying and searing, but they’re also great if you just want a piece of meat that will cook quickly and evenly.
What are good sides to have with chicken cutlets?
I’ve put together a list of the 20 best side dishes for chicken cutlets. It includes comfort foods like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, as well as tasty vegetables like sautéed broccolini and crispy Brussels sprouts.
Is it better to fry or bake breaded chicken?
Oven Baked Breaded Chicken vs Fried Chicken I admit, fried chicken IS delicious – grease and all. However, cooking them in the oven tastes just as good. Baking them retains the juices and flavors which makes it a healthier and more delicious option. You can even do this with other fried food such as fries.