Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken (Printable)

Golden, juicy chicken cutlets made effortlessly in the air fryer with a crispy, flavorful coating.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 lbs)

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tablespoons milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (90 g)
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (40 g)
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Olive oil spray

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
02 - Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment paper and pound them to an even thickness of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm).
03 - Prepare three shallow bowls: first with flour; second with beaten eggs mixed with milk; third with panko breadcrumbs combined with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Dredge each chicken breast in flour, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat thoroughly.
05 - Lightly spray both sides of each breaded cutlet with olive oil spray.
06 - Place cutlets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Cook cutlets for 7 to 8 minutes, then flip, spray again with olive oil, and air fry for an additional 6 to 7 minutes until golden brown and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
08 - Let cutlets rest for 2 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The coating gets shatteringly crisp without any actual deep frying, which means your kitchen stays clean and your conscience stays clear.
  • These come together in thirty minutes flat, making weeknight dinners feel less like a scramble and more like you actually have your life together.
  • One batch feeds four people or becomes four separate meals if you're cooking just for yourself—no judgment here.
02 -
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness is non-negotiable; thicker spots will either cook too slowly or the edges will dry out while you wait.
  • The olive oil spray is what makes these crisp—don't skip it thinking you're being healthy, because dry breadcrumbs just sit there and don't brown.
03 -
  • Don't skip the rest time at the end—two minutes lets the chicken relax and stay juicier than if you cut into it hot.
  • If your air fryer tends to cook unevenly, flip the cutlets halfway and give them another light spray; every machine has quirks, and knowing yours takes one batch.
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