This easy air fryer breaded chicken recipe is my version of the Japanese dish chicken katsu, a tender chicken cutlet coated in crispy Japanese Panko breadcrumbs. Just 4 ingredients and 12 minutes in the air fryer.
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I first learned about traditional pork katsu (Tonkatsu), and Katsu curry years and years ago from one of my favorite YouTube cooking channels.
This channel was such an inspiration to me and I tried so many of the recipes and learned so much.
From my understanding traditional chicken katsu is a popular Japanese dish made by frying pieces of chicken coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs. These Japanese breadcrumbs are light in texture and provide a super crispy coating.
I limit my deep frying to only things that greatly benefit like fried donuts, etc.
Using the air fryer is the perfect way to get crispy chicken, use minimal oil, and make the process super easy - with the bonus of not having to babysit hot oil.
Also, this air fryer chicken katsu recipe only requires 4 ingredients and has 12 minutes of cooking time. So easy! Perfect for a weeknight dinner on the side of rice and Japanese-style curry, or with pasta.
If you're loving your air fryer also, try this air fryer cumin chicken recipe, air fryer sweet potato wedges, or air fryer smashed potatoes next.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- chicken breasts: I use two for this recipe, but it's easy to upscale the recipe as long as you have room in your air fryer.
- egg: one large egg will coat 4 chicken cutlets with a bit leftover.
- flour: you'll need a small amount of all-purpose flour for coating the chicken. This helps the egg stick. Season the flour with kosher salt and black pepper.
- breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are typical for chicken katsu and give great crunch.
Substitutions
- egg: if you'd rather skip the egg in the breading process, I have an easy process in my crispy chicken wraps recipe that makes use of a flour batter instead of using egg. Read the recipe card notes for more information.
Try serving this chicken Katsu inspired recipe with Japanese Tonkatsu sauce.
Instructions
Prep Tips
First, prep the chicken pieces.
If you're using large chicken breasts, cut them in half lengthwise, into thin cutlets. They should all be the same thickness so that they cook evenly.
Sometimes one end of the chicken will be thicker than the other.
To even it out, sandwich the chicken in between two pieces of plastic wrap to eliminate cross-contamination.
Next, pound the chicken's thickest parts with a meat mallet or rolling pin, or another heavy object.
Next, arrange three shallow bowls.
- Put the flour, salt, and pepper in the first bowl.
- Crack an egg and whisk it in the second bowl. Add the breadcrumbs to the third bowl.
TIP: For a deeper golden brown coating, mix the panko bread crumbs with a drizzle or spray of oil.
How to bread chicken cutlets:
TIP: Use a dry hand and a wet hand when breading.
- Add a piece of chicken to the bowl with flour and coat it in the flour.
- Next, add the flour-coated chicken to the bowl with the beaten egg and coat it fully.
- Finally, let the excess egg drip off of the piece of chicken and then place it in the bowl with bread crumbs. Coat the chicken in the bread crumbs.
- Place the breaded chicken cutlet in a single layer on an air frying baking tray (I use this style of air fryer) or in the air fryer basket.
If you're using a basket-style air fryer you may need to make this in batches, depending on the size of the basket.
If using a tray-style air fryer, you'll want to flip the chicken as well as rotate the upper and lower racks if you have them. This will give the most even browning.
Let the chicken sit for a few minutes before cutting it so that it stays juicy.
Tips for making Air Fryer Chicken
- Cut chicken breasts into ½-inch thick cutlets or use thin chicken breasts to begin with to ensure the chicken cooks all the way through by the time the breadcrumbs are deep golden brown.
- Using Japanese panko crumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs gives the most crunch.
- You can use an instant-read thermometer to determine when the chicken is cooked. The Government of Canada says chicken pieces are cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For best results, rotate the upper and lower baking trays if you have this style of air fryer. This will help achieve the most even browning.
What to serve with easy air fryer chicken katsu
If you're making Japanese curry I recommend also making the chicken katsu because the two go together so well with some cooked rice on the side.
For other side dish ideas, try this instant pot brown rice, spicy garlic noodles, sesame noodles, honey sriracha brussels sprouts, a simple green cabbage salad, or roasted sesame broccoli.
Looking for more amazing, easy air fryer recipes? Try easy 5-minute air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, or air fryer breaded paneer. Browse my air fryer category for even more recipes.
Storage
Store leftover chicken katsu in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat by microwaving or in the air fryer for a few minutes.
FAQs
½-inch thick chicken cutlets take about 12-14 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C).
Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Prep the chicken: If you're using large chicken breasts, cut them in half lengthwise, into thin cutlets. They should all be the same thickness so that they cook evenly.
- Prep the breading station: Arrange three shallow bowls. Put the flour, salt, and pepper in the first bowl. Crack an egg and whisk it in the second bowl. Add the breadcrumbs to the third bowl.
- Bread the chicken: Coat a cutlet in flour, then egg, and then breadcrumbs. Repeat for all cutlets and place them on the air fryer tray, or in the basket. You may need to cook them in batches depending on your air fryer – see notes.
- Cook the chicken: Cook the chicken for 6 minutes. Flip and then cook for another 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Let sit for 4-5 minutes before cutting into so they stay juicy inside.
Equipment
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer or similar
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
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Debbie Steinberg says
How long do I cook this if I don’t have an air fryer and choose to bake it instead?
Jacqueline Piper says
Hi Debbie,
You can bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-24 minutes instead of air frying. This is how I make my panko chicken strips recipe. Just make sure you are slicing the chicken breasts in half - they would take longer as whole chicken breasts.