Make this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu for a healthy dinner that everyone will love! These chicken cutlets turn out so crispy in the air fryer, no oil required! We’ve also included oven instructions just in case you don’t have an air fryer handy.
Chicken Katsu Recipe
As you can see, chicken katsu is basically a breaded chicken cutlet that’s fried and then topped with a Japanese BBQ sauce called Tonkatsu.
We’ve taken the oil out of the equation with this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu so you can enjoy it on the regular!
I’m telling you guys, these chicken cutlets turn out so incredibly crispy and juicy, you won’t miss the deep fry at all.
We like serving this chicken dinner over a bed of rice, but ramen noodles or a side of steamed broccoli will work too!
How To Make Crispy Chicken Cutlets
Of course, frying a chicken cutlet in oil is going to give you a super crispy chicken cutlet. But if you’re trying to cut the calories and fat, then the air fryer is the way to go.
Start by breading the chicken cutlets first in flour, then egg beaten with a touch of milk or cream and then finally the panko bread crumbs.
Try using whole wheat panko like we did here for a little more flavor than regular bread crumbs.
For Tips On How To Set Up A Breading Station:
- Check out our Flat Chicken post for a traditional, pan-fried chicken cutlet recipe. Same method for breading, just pan-fried instead of using an air fryer.
Place the breaded chicken cutlets in your air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes and then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
The timing will depend on how thick your chicken cutlet is, but 5 minutes per side works pretty well.
Look at that super crispy chicken cutlet!!! OMG you guys, these babies are literally the tastiest things ever. And don’t stop with this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu recipe, you can use these chicken cutlets for so many different recipes!
What Other Ways Can You Use These Crispy Chicken Cutlets?
Like, literally just eat them as is. So flipping delicious. Grab your favorite dipping sauce, honey mustard, BBQ sauce or try our Awesome Sauce recipe!
Yum Yum Sauce would also be so good on these crispy chicken cutlets, as would our easy Homemade Stir Fry Sauce!
More ways to use these crunchy air fried chicken cutlets:
- Slice up for salads
- Use on a sandwich like this Italian Ciabatta Sandwich
- Chop and add to Fried Rice
- Top with marinara sauce and cheese for a quick Chicken Parmesan
What Kind Of Sauce Do You Use For Chicken Katsu?
Chicken Katsu sauce is called Tonkatsu sauce, which is a Japanese BBQ sauce that is sweet, tangy and delicious. You can buy tonkatsu sauce in most grocery stores in the Asian aisle.
If you can’t find it though, just swap it out for your favorite barbecue sauce and stir in a little soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
A drizzle of warmed teriyaki baste and glaze works well too, as does our Homemade Stir Fry Sauce!
What’s The Best Way to Reheat Chicken Katsu?
Of course, the microwave is fine. But it won’t make a reheated chicken cutlet crispy in any way. But in a pinch, go for it.
Our favorite method for reheating Air Fryer Chicken Katsu is—you guessed it—right back in the air fryer!
It’ll only take about 5 minutes and these chicken cutlets will taste like you just made them.
The oven will work well too. Just place on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes until the cutlets are crispy and warmed though.
Can You Use Chicken Thighs For This Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work too. The cooking time will need to be increased, as chicken thighs are going to be thicker and darker meat takes longer to cook.
Try increasing the cooking time by a few minutes per side and then testing with a thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached 165 degrees.
Looking For More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes?
- Air Fryer Chicken Tacos
- Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Ranch flavored, too!)
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeThis Air Fryer Chicken Katsu tastes just as good as the fried version! Slice and serve with Asian BBQ sauce (Tonkatsu) or your favorite dipping sauce. We love serving this crispy chicken over rice with a side of steamed broccoli!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pound package of thin sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley for seasoning the chicken
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 eggs, beaten with a splash of milk or cream
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat panko bread crumbs (can also use regular)
- Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray
- Tonkatsu sauce or teriyaki glaze
- Chopped scallions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Generously season both sides of the chicken breasts with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley.
- Set up a breading station using 3 shallow bowls or plates with a rim. Add the flour to one, the eggs to another and the bread crumbs to the third.
- Dip each seasoned chicken breast into the flour, tapping off the excess, then into the egg mixture, letting the excess egg drip off and then finally into the panko bread crumbs. Press the bread crumbs into each side of the chicken to make sure that it has an even coating.
- Spray the racks or the basket of your air fryer with the cooking spray. Place the chicken cutlets onto the racks or in the basket and then spray the chicken with the cooking spray. You might have to cook the chicken in a couple of batches, depending on what type of air fryer you have.
- Preheat your air fryer (if required) to 400 degrees.
- Cook the chicken for 5 minutes and then flip the chicken over and cook another 4-5 minutes, until lightly browned and crispy.
- Place the chicken on a board and slice into strips. Drizzle the tops with tonkatsu sauce or teriyaki glaze and add sesame seeds and scallions if desired. (See post for additional sauce ideas!)
Recipe Notes
Oven Instructions: Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet that’s been sprayed with cooking spray and cook for 10-12 minutes, until brown and crispy. Check that the temperature is at 165 degrees before serving.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat the chicken cutlets in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. To reheat in the oven, place the cutlets on a baking sheet in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes, until warmed through.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mantitlement, air fryer recipes, air fryer chicken, chicken cutlets, chicken katsu recipe, easy dinner recipes, easy chicken recipes, dinner ideas
