Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
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

By Brittany Mullins

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 has been my new go-to chicken recipe ever since I first tested it. I’ve typically been adding it to all my salads or serving it up with veggies and a grain for dinner. It’s so versatile and so easy. And again, it’s on the table in minutes!

Five cooked chicken cutlets on a serving plate served with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

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

Ingredients measured out to make Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets: chicken cutlets, garlic, dijon, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, pepper and honey.

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.
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.
sea salt and pepper – for seasoning.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Flavor Variations

I love this recipe as is, but feel free to experiment with different spices to make this recipe your own. Here are a few 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.

Side by side photos of ingredients to make a marinade for Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets in a bowl, before and after being whisked.

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.

Photo of marinate in a bowl. Photo beside it is of raw chicken cutlets added to the marinade.

Step 3: When ready, air fry the chicken cutlets at 390°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.

Side by side photos of chicken cutlets in an air fryer basket, before and after being cooked.

Two cooked chicken cutlets being served on a plate. One of the cutlets is sliced.

Recipe Tips!

Size matters: Make sure each chicken cutlet is a similar size to ensure 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.

A close up of three cooked chicken cutlets in an air fryer basket.

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 stovetop in a skillet for the best results. You can also reheat the shrimp 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.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

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5 from 2 votes