This air fryer chicken cutlets recipe makes it easy and quick to make the tastiest Italian chicken cutlets. The golden top takes just 8 minutes to cook.
Make the easiest and crispiest Italian chicken cutlets with this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe! A golden and crispy coating in 8 minutes.
Because they can make crispy, tasty fried foods with little to no oil, air fryers are becoming more and more popular in the kitchen. People love to cook chicken breast in their air fryers more than anything else. The hot air moving around cooks the chicken quickly and evenly, but it stays juicy and tasty.
Chicken breast can sometimes be tricky to get just right. It’s very easy to overcook, resulting in dry, stringy meat. However, using an air fryer makes it so much easier to achieve tender, flavorful chicken breast every time. This is especially true for thin chicken breasts, which cook up even quicker than full chicken breasts.
If you’re wondering how to cook thin chicken breast in your air fryer, you’ve come to the right place! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from ideal cook times to the best prep methods for ensuring perfectly cooked, juicy chicken. Let’s dive in!
What Are the Benefits of Cooking Thin Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer?
When cooking thin chicken breasts, there are a few great reasons to use an air fryer:
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Speed: Depending on how thin the chicken is, it cooks very quickly in the air fryer, in just 7 to 12 minutes. Much faster than conventional cooking.
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Hot air moves around the chicken, cooking it all the way through so there are no dry spots.
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Juiciness – The quick cook time helps lock in moisture. As long as you don’t overcook air fryer chicken stays tender and juicy.
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Flavor – The air fryer leaves you with delicious, flavorful chicken. Season it simply or add sauces/marinades.
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Crispy crust – The exterior gets perfectly browned and crispy. It’s like fried chicken without the grease!
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Convenience – Just toss the chicken in the basket and walk away. Minimal prep or cleanup needed.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Thin Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer?
The ideal cook time for thin chicken breasts in an air fryer is typically between 7-12 minutes at 400°F. The timing depends on a couple factors:
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Thickness of the chicken – The thinner it is, the less time it needs. Chicken sliced less than 1/2″ thick may only need 7-8 minutes. Up to 1″ thick may take 10-12 minutes.
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Size of the chicken breast – Smaller cutlets will cook faster than larger pieces. Halve longer thin breasts for quicker cooking.
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Preheating – Preheating isn’t necessary but will reduce cook time by a minute or two.
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Quantity – Cooking more chicken breasts will increase cook time slightly.
No matter what, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying solely on cook time. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
How to Prep Thin Chicken Breasts for the Air Fryer
Properly preparing the chicken before air frying is an important first step:
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Pat the chicken dry – Remove any excess moisture from the surface to help it get crispy.
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Lightly coat in oil – Brush both sides with a thin layer of oil. This helps promote browning.
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Season well – Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, spices, or marinades.
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Work in batches if needed – Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches for even cooking.
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Use skewers for longer breasts – Skewer together halves of large thin breasts before cooking.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Air Frying Thin Chicken Breasts
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked chicken every time:
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Pat chicken breasts dry and brush lightly with oil. Season both sides.
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes if desired.
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Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd.
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Air fry at 400°F for 7-12 minutes depending on thickness.
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Flip chicken halfway through if desired for even browning.
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Check temperature after 6 minutes. Cook until 165°F internally.
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Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving for juiciest results.
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Slice, dice or shred chicken as desired for meals and recipes. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
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Brine chicken in saltwater for 30 mins before cooking for added moisture and flavor.
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Use acidic marinades sparingly to avoid mushy texture. Limit soak to 30 mins.
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Cook at 400°F for best results. High heat = juicy inside, crispy outside.
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Let chicken rest before cutting for juices to redistribute. Don’t rush it!
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Add herbs, spices or sauces to coat chicken for tons of flavor without the excess calories.
Delicious Ways to Use Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
The possibilities are endless when it comes to how to use your perfectly cooked thin chicken breasts! Here are just a few tasty ideas:
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Dice up chicken for salads, wraps, tacos or burrito bowls.
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Shred chicken for BBQ chicken sandwiches, pizza topping or casseroles.
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Slice chicken for meal-prep lunch boxes, on top of rice/veggies or in stir fries.
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Pair with healthy grains like quinoa or farro and roasted veggies for easy bowls.
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Add to pastas, soups or chilis as a lean protein source.
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Stuff chicken into pita or flatbreads with cheese, veggies and sauce for an easy meal.
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Use in any recipe calling for cooked chicken – sandwiches, casseroles, pastas, etc.
Mastering Thin Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
Cooking thin chicken breasts in an air fryer couldn’t be much easier. With the quick cook time and foolproof method, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken ready in no time. Be sure to use a meat thermometer and don’t overcook for the best results.
Experiment with different seasonings and marinades to find your favorite flavors. Enjoy your perfectly cooked chicken breasts in tacos, sandwiches, salads, or anything else you love. Your air fryer makes the weeknight dinner rotation that much simpler.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Chicken Cutlets In The Air Fryer?
It only takes about 8 minutes to cook raw thin sliced chicken breasts in the air fryer. Even after you add the prep time in, this breaded chicken recipe is ready in about 20 minutes!.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken cutlets in a preheated oven at 400F for about 20-23 minutes (more or less depending on the thickness), flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. You can put a wire rack on a baking sheet and place the breaded chicken cutlets on it to get a crispy crust.
Heat about 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165F. Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet and add more oil as needed.
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
The air fryer chicken cutlets recipe is so great because it’s quick, easy, and crispy. It’s great for a quick lunch or an easy weeknight dinner.
These chicken cutlets are seasoned with a blend of Italian bread crumbs, extra garlic and onion powder, and mixed with panko crumbs, creating a beautiful golden crust and an irresistible crunch.
The air fryer is my go-to kitchen appliance for cooking up these tender and juicy cutlets that your whole family will love. Not only is this air fryer recipe incredibly simple to make, but the results are absolutely perfect, delivering a crunchy coating and juicy chicken that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
If you’re ever looking for a recipe for baked chicken tenders, be sure to check out our best chicken tenders!
Chicken Cutlets: Using chicken cutlets ensures a quick cooking time and tender results. If you don’t have chicken cutlets, thin-sliced chicken breast will work just as well.
Egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping the bread crumbs stick to the chicken cutlets. If you’re out of eggs, try using a mixture of milk and melted butter.
Italian Bread Crumbs and Panko: This combination of bread crumbs provides the perfect crispy texture and adds an extra layer of flavor to your chicken cutlets. You can use all panko or all Italian bread crumbs if you don’t have both.
Spices and Herbs: Adding extra garlic and onion powder to the breading enhances the flavor profile, making your chicken cutlets taste even better. Feel free to mix up the spices and herbs to suit your taste preferences.
Cooking Spray: To achieve that golden brown and crispy texture, use cooking spray to coat the chicken cutlets before air frying. If you don’t have cooking spray, you can use a brush to apply a thin layer of oil to the chicken cutlets.
Easy Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breast Recipe
FAQ
How long do thin chicken breasts take in the air fryer?
It takes about 7-10 minutes to air fry thin sliced chicken breast at 400 degrees, depending on the thickness. If you have a particularly large chicken breast piece, it may take closer to the 10 minutes. Start checking around 6 minutes for doneness so they don’t dry out.
How do you keep chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the chicken doesn’t get too dry in the air fryer, brine or marinate it first, and then let it rest after cooking. Dry brining (salting) or wet brining helps retain moisture.
How long does thin chicken breast need to cook?
Stovetop 1. Add 1 tablespoon oil with 2 tablespoons of chicken broth and chicken breast to a cold skillet; cover. 2. Heat skillet to MEDIUM HIGH heat and cook covered 16 to 18 minutes, turning 2 to 3 times, until breasts are lightly browned and internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 170°F.