Want a juicy chicken dinner but you're short on time? This recipe for Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts is the solution! Ready in 10 minutes or less, this easy air fryer chicken breast recipe is a must for busy weekdays and lazy weekends. It's quick, tender, and tasty!
Jump to:
- Thin Chicken Breast Air Fryer Recipe
- Watch the Video
- Why air fry chicken cutlets?
- Ingredients
- How to Air Fry Thin Chicken Breasts
- Toaster Oven Style Air Fryer Instructions
- How Long to Cook Thin Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
- Recipe Tips
- Storage Instructions
- FAQ
- Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breast
- Feedback
Thin Chicken Breast Air Fryer Recipe
Chicken cutlets make a fantastic quick and easy air fryer dinner that is both delicious and satisfying. If you ever struggle with cooking chicken, or if you need to get dinner on the table fast, this recipe is for you!
Cooking thin sliced chicken breast in the air fryer takes all of the guess work out of the timing. You'll know exactly when to flip the chicken, and it will turn out beautifully golden-brown on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. And there's virtually no prep time!
Not to mention, you can use this recipe as a substitute for your favorite chicken recipes. Season the cutlets with any spices you prefer, and enjoy them as-is with a plate of vegetables, in a chicken sandwich, or sliced over salads or pasta!
Watch the Video
Why air fry chicken cutlets?
- Cooking chicken breast in the air fryer takes much less time than other methods and cuts out all of the guess-work. The chicken cooks in a total time of 10 minutes or less!
- Air frying uses less oil than other cooking methods, which helps cut down on the fat content.
- Air fryer chicken cutlets are crispy! They develop a beautiful golden brown crust with a tender interior.
Ingredients
- Thin Chicken Breasts (Chicken Cutlets): Look for thin chicken breasts at your local grocery store, also known as chicken cutlets. Alternatively, you can make your own cutlets by carefully slicing boneless skinless chicken breasts in half longways through the middle using a sharp knife and a cutting board. If you don't want to slice them, you can also cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound them out to an even thickness.
- Oil Spray: Helps achieve that crispy texture without excess oil. Make sure to use oil in an oil sprayer, such as avocado oil or olive oil spray, and not cooking spray with additives, which can damage the non-stick surface of your air fryer. Our comprehensive guide on Our Favorite Oils to use for Air Frying has more information on this topic.
- Chili Seasoning: Adds a flavorful kick and a hint of spice to the chicken. You can buy pre-made chili seasoning at your local grocery store, or make Our Signature Chili Spice Blend.
How to Air Fry Thin Chicken Breasts
Step 1 - Prep: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, allow it to heat with nothing in the air fryer basket for 3-5 minutes. While preheating pat your chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel.
Step 2 - Season: Coat each thin chicken breast with oil and chili seasoning on both sides.
Step 3 - Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Once the air fryer is done preheating, place the seasoned chicken cutlets into the basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overlap any pieces or overcrowd the air fryer. If necessary, cook them in batches.
Step 4 - Air Fry: Air fry for 6-8 minutes. Halfway through the cook time, flip the chicken cutlets using tongs or a spatula. They are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 150°F as read by a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
Step 5 - Rest the Chicken: Rest the chicken breasts for 5-10 minutes before serving. Resist the urge to serve them sooner! Resting the chicken is important to redistribute juices throughout the meat, resulting in juicier chicken, and also finishes cooking the chicken to the proper food safe temperature (155°F). Don't skip this step!
Toaster Oven Style Air Fryer Instructions
The following instructions are for a toaster-oven style air fryer, such as the Breville Smart Oven Air.
- Preheat the air fryer oven to 400°F.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry using a paper towel.
- Coat each thin chicken breast with oil and Chili seasoning on both sides.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned chicken cutlets on the air fryer tray in a single layer. Do not overlap any pieces. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through air frying using tongs or a spatula. Chicken breasts are done when an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pork chop reads 150°F and the juices run clear.
- Rest the chicken breasts 5-10 minutes before serving. Resting the chicken is important to redistribute juices, as well as to finish cooking for food safety, so don’t skip this step!
How Long to Cook Thin Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
It only takes about 6-8 minutes in a preheated air fryer to cook thin chicken breasts to a perfect 150°F. Use an instant read thermometer to confirm the temperature and then let the chicken breasts rest for 5-10 minutes. The rest time ensures juicy chicken breast cooked to a safe temperature.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so always be sure to check the internal temperature of your air fryer chicken to ensure it's done.
Recipe Tips
- Cook time is based on a preheated air fryer.
- You can purchase thin chicken breasts, also known as chicken cutlets, in the poultry section of your local grocery store. However, if you want to save a little money, purchase regular chicken breasts and slice them in half through the middle to make 2 thinner cutlets from each regular chicken breast.
- Always cook chicken to the proper temperature. By cooking the chicken to 150°F and allowing it to rest for 5-10 minutes, it will come to the proper food-safe temperature without overcooking.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust cook time based on your air fryer model.
- If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
Storage Instructions
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F to restore their crispy texture.
FAQ
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite seasoning or spice blend for a different flavor profile. A mix of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder is a tasty simple chicken seasoning you can make in a pinch. If you like spice, add a bit of cayenne pepper.
Yes, but you'll have to add time to ensure the chicken is cooked to the proper temperature. Always check the internal temperature before consuming chicken to ensure proper food safety. Also see our recipe for Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer.
No. It is not recommended to skip the resting step, as it ensures the chicken is thoroughly cooked and remains juicy.
This recipe is not for breaded chicken cutlets, which would require adjusting the cook time. See our recipe for Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast or you might like our recipe for frozen Air Fryer ALDI Red Bag Chicken instead, as these are delicious breaded chicken breasts that come pre-seasoned and are very easy to prepare!
Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
- Frozen Chicken Patties in Air Fryer
- Bone-in Chicken Breast
- Try all of our Air Fryer Chicken Recipes!
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 Thin Chicken Breasts boneless and skinless (chicken breast cutlets)
- Oil Spray such as olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 Tablespoon Chili seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Pat your chicken cutlets dry, then coat each one with oil and Chili seasoning on both sides.4 Thin Chicken Breasts, Oil Spray, 1 Tablespoon Chili seasoning
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned chicken cutlets in the air fryer in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the air fryer or they will not cook properly.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through air frying using tongs or a spatula. Chicken breasts are done when an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pork chop reads 150°F and the juices run clear. The chicken will rest to come to the proper temperature.
- Rest the chicken breasts 5-10 minutes before serving. Resting the chicken is important to redistribute juices, as well as to finish cooking for food safety, so don’t skip this step!
Notes
- Cook time is based on a preheated air fryer.
- You can purchase thin chicken breasts, also known as chicken cutlets, in the poultry section of your local grocery store. However, if you want to save a little money, purchase regular chicken breasts and slice them in half through the middle to make 2 thinner cutlets from each regular chicken breast.
- Always cook chicken to the proper temperature. By cooking the chicken to 150°F and allowing it to rest for 5-10 minutes, it will come to the proper food-safe temperature without overcooking.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust cook time based on your air fryer model.
- If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
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