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
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
