BEST Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets (Crispy and Breaded)

Make the easiest and crispiest Italian chicken cutlets with this air fryer chicken cutlets recipe! A golden and crispy coating in 8 minutes.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup panko
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 4 chicken cutlets (or 2 large breasts butterflied)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Using paper towels, pat the chicken cutlets dry...: Using paper towels, pat the chicken cutlets dry on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then place the cutlets on a clean plate and set aside while you prepare the dredging station.
2. 2To set up the dredging station you will...: To set up the dredging station you will need 2 shallow bowls that are big enough to fit one cutlet at a time and a clean plate. In the first shallow bowl, beat the egg and water together until fully incorporated. In the second shallow bowl, add the Italian bread crumbs, panko, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix together. The clean plate will sit next to the bowl with the bread crumbs to rest your chicken on after dredging.
3. 3Once your station is set up, lay a...: Once your station is set up, lay a cutlet into the egg wash and fully cover it, then transfer the chicken to the bread crumbs and fully coat it (it helps to use one hand for the wet bowl and one hand for the dry bowl). Once the chicken has been coated, you can use your fingers to press down to get the crumbs to really stick. Remove the chicken from the bread crumbs, and transfer it to the clean plate. Allow it to rest while you do the next one. Mix the dry ingredients between each chicken cutlet to blend in the seasoning that fell to the bottom of the dish. Repeat the same process for the remaining cutlets.
4. 4Once the dredging is complete, spray the trivet...: Once the dredging is complete, spray the trivet for the air fryer with cooking spray, then preheat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes. (Resting the chicken while the air fryer preheats allows the egg to absorb some of the dry ingredients, so you don't get a dry coating after cooking.)
5. 5Once the air fryer has preheated, lay 2...: Once the air fryer has preheated, lay 2 of the cutlets down in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Generously spray the tops with cooking spray. This will make the chicken crispy and golden. Set the timer for 4 minutes, but open the air fryer half way through and spray with oil again if you notice any dry spots.
6. 6Flip the chicken over, making sure it does...: Flip the chicken over, making sure it does not overlap, and generously spray the tops again with cooking spray. Continue to cook for an additional 4 minutes, spraying the tops halfway through if there are any dry spots. The chicken is done when an instant read thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165F at the thickest point.
7. 7Remove the chicken cutlets and set aside while...: Remove the chicken cutlets and set aside while you cook the second batch repeating the same steps.