Description
These Air Fryer Chicken Caesar Cutlets are a crispy and flavorful twist on the classic Caesar salad. Boneless chicken breasts are marinated in Caesar dressing, coated with a crunchy panko and Parmesan mixture, then air fried to golden perfection. Served over romaine with croutons and extra Parmesan, this dish makes for a delicious main course that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise into cutlets)
- ½ cup Caesar dressing (plus more for serving)
Breading
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients
- Olive oil spray
- Optional: chopped romaine, croutons, lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken cutlets in a shallow dish and coat thoroughly with Caesar dressing. Cover and let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.
- Prepare the breading mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure even seasoning.
- Coat the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess dressing to drip off. Press each cutlet firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a complete and even coating on all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. This ensures a crispy finish on the cutlets.
- Cook the cutlets: Lightly spray both sides of the breaded chicken cutlets with olive oil spray. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cutlets are golden brown, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Serve the crispy chicken cutlets over chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, croutons, extra Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of lemon if desired. Enjoy the combination of crunchy, tangy, and fresh flavors.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 15 minutes enhances the depth of flavor, but you can skip this step for a quicker meal.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crispiness.
- Adjust seasoning in the breadcrumb mixture if you prefer a more or less salty flavor.
- Leftover cutlets can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the air fryer for best texture.
