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Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Cutlets


  • Total Time: 22-25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

These air fryer chicken cutlets are perfectly crispy and bursting with fresh lemon and herb flavor, making for a quick and delicious meal any night of the week. This recipe is designed for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal fuss, transforming simple chicken breasts into a satisfying meal in under 30 minutes. Each serving provides about 35 grams of protein.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

  • Instructions

    1. Prepare the Chicken Cutlets: If your chicken breasts are thick, place them one at a time between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or the flat side of a rolling pin, pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly.

    2. Create the Seasoning Mix: In a shallow dish or a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, and lemon zest. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined.

    3. Coat the Chicken: Lightly dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour and herb mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.

    4. Add Lemon Juice and Oil: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice and olive oil over the coated chicken cutlets. Use your hands to gently rub the liquid into the coating on both sides. This helps create a crispier exterior and infuses more flavor.

    5. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375 F (190 C) for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy texture.

    6. Air Fry the Cutlets: Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in batches. Air fry for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) and the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

    7. Rest and Garnish: Once cooked, remove the chicken cutlets from the air fryer and let them rest on a cutting board for 2-3 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken tender. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
    • Category: main dish
    • Cuisine: american

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cutlet
    • Protein: 35

    Keywords: chicken, air fryer, lemon, herb, cutlets, quick, easy, weeknight, healthy, crispy