Crispy Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Cutlets Easy Panko Parmesan Recipe
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, flavorful chicken cutlets coated in a lemon herb marinade and a panko parmesan crust, cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs (about 100g)
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (about 60g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the lemon herb marinade by whisking together lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Place chicken cutlets in a shallow dish and pour marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Let sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Set up breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour seasoned lightly with salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Dredge each marinated chicken cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko-Parmesan mixture to coat completely.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange cutlets in a single layer without overlapping.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crust is golden brown and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and keep crust crispy.
Notes
If crust browns too fast, lower air fryer temperature to 375°F and cook a few extra minutes. Pat chicken dry before marinating to help coating stick. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or replace with nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 20
Keywords: air fryer chicken, lemon herb chicken, crispy chicken cutlets, panko parmesan chicken, quick chicken recipe, healthy chicken, easy dinner