Best Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets - Easy Recipe (2024)

by Amy Estes 14 Comments

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CrispyOven Baked Chicken Cutletsthat have an amazing golden, crispy crust and a crazy juicy center. Thishealthier fried chicken recipecan be made inunder 30 minutesfor an easy chicken dinner the whole family will love!

Best Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets - Easy Recipe (1)

These crispy baked chicken cutlets are juicy on the inside, with a seasoned coating that adds great flavor and creates a scrumptious golden brown crust.

Thischicken recipeis easy to make and is a healthier “fried chicken” thatrequires no deep frying in oil. Trust me! It is so incredibly delicious that most people actually have told me they cannot believe it is not fried!

What’s better thancrispy breaded chickenthat is loaded with flavor and goes with pretty much anything? Plus these crispy chicken cutlets store and reheat great too!

Easily top them with sometomato sauceand cheese for a Healthy Chicken Parmesanthat even the kids will go crazy for!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN CUTLETS

  • Easy chicken recipe– get perfectly crispy, juicy chicken in only a few quick steps for a perfect weeknight dinner.
  • Not a lot of ingredients– Requires only a few simple ingredients.
  • Delicious recipe– crispy chicken with much less oil than fried chicken but still all of the flavor!
  • Versatile– easily made gluten-free.
  • Great meal prep recipe– stores and reheats are great!
  • Healthy – this recipe is a much healthier alternative to the fried chicken cutlets you would get at most Italian restaurants.

Short on time? Try theseAir Fryer Chicken Cutletsthat are just as delicious and can be ready in under 15 minutes or thesechicken tendersthat are also great for the kids!

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Ingredients you will need

  • Chickenbreast– I used 5-6 ounce whole chicken breasts that were boneless and skinless that I sliced and pounded into chicken cutlets. You could also use thin-sliced chicken breasts that you can buy at most grocery stores.
  • Breadcrumbs– You can use anybreadcrumbsyou like, regular or panko breadcrumbs, or even gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Grated parmesan cheese– This is optional but adds an amazing layer of salty, crunchy flavor to the chicken. You can also sub withVegan Parmesan Cheese.
  • Eggs– these act as a binder to help the breading stick to the chicken. You will need 2 large eggs.
  • Milk– you can use non-dairy or plain milk. Make sure it is unsweetened.
  • Seasoning– I used chili powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, koshersalt, and pepper but you can use any blend you like on the chicken.

*Check out the recipe card located at the bottom of this post for the full recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutritional information.

How to make oven-baked chicken cutlets

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  1. Prepare the chicken:slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise using a sharp knife so it yields two even pieces from each chicken breast. Place each chicken cutlet between a large sheet of plastic wrap and pound it out thin to ¼ inch thickness yielding 4 thin chicken cutlets. The best way to do this is to use a meat tenderizer If you have one, or a rolling pin like I used.
  2. Mix up the coating:in a medium size shallow bowl, crack the eggs, add the milk and some salt, and black pepper, and whisk well to combine. In a separate shallow bowl, combine thebreadcrumbswith the parmesan cheese, seasoning, and salt and, pepper.
  3. Coat the chicken cutlets:Dip each of the chicken breast cutlets into the egg then the breading, pressing the breadcrumb mixture into each piece of chicken on both sides. Then place the coated chicken on the rimmed baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  4. Cook:bake the breaded chicken cutlets at 400 degrees F for 17-20 minutes until golden and cooked through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when it is done. Per the recipe card below.
  5. Serve:Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board then serve it hot with your favorite sides.
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Recipe Tips For Making this Chicken Cutlets Recipe

  • Use evenly sized chicken breasts so they cook at the same time.
  • Season the egg and breadcrumb mixture with salt and pepper. Pre-seasoned breadcrumbs can be used instead of a seasoning blend.
  • Marinate the chicken before coating it for extra flavor.
  • To make the chicken super crispy, spray it with olive oil spray before baking.

FAQs

How do you store crispy baked chicken?

Once you have cooked the chicken cutlets, let them cool completely then transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How do I reheat breaded chicken?

These baked chicken cutlets will reheat best in the oven. Place them onto a lined baking sheet and reheat them at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. This will ensure they are still crispy and delicious but will not dry out.

How to pound out chicken breast into cutlets?

First, slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Then, place each cutlet between a large sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound to ¼ inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

How long does it take to bake chicken cutlets?

Bake breaded chicken cutlets at 400 degrees for 16-17 minutes, flipping halfway through. Larger, thicker cutlets may take longer to cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Check with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

How to ensure a crispy crust?

  • Spray the chicken cutlets with olive oil spray before you bake them.
  • Flipping the chicken over halfway through the cooking time will help it to stay crispy all around.
  • You can also cook the chicken on a wire rack on top of the baking sheet so you don’t need to flip it while cooking.
  • Make sure to bake them until they are nice and golden. Let them rest for a few minutes before you cut them. They get even crispier are they cool.
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Serving Suggestions

There are so many things that go well with the chicken cutlet recipe. Here are a few of my favorites.

  • SaladKale Salad, Couscous Salad, Chopped Italian Salad, Chopped Kale Salad.
  • Side dishesRoasted Potatoes and Carrots, Butternut Squash, Asparagus, Brussel Sprouts
  • PotatoesMashed Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • BBQ Chicken Breast
  • Healthy Green Chicken Enchiladas
  • Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
  • Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan
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Did you try this baked chicken cutlets recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!

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Best Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets - Easy Recipe (11)

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Diet: Low Calorie
Print Recipe

Description

These crispy baked chicken cutlets are packed with incredible flavor and they have the most amazingly delicious, golden crust that is so good! Make them in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 (5-6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk – you can use non-dairy
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs – you can use gluten free
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Olive oil cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the chicken – slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise so it yields two equal pieces from each chicken breast. Use a sharp kitchen knife to do this. Then place each piece of chicken in between some plastic wrap and use a meat tenderizer, rolling pin, or even your hands to pound the chicken into ¼ inch thick cutlets that are even all over in size.
  3. Mix up the coating – in a medium shallow dish, crack the eggs and whisk them with the milk and some salt and pepper. In a separate shallow dish mix the breadcrumbs with the parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Coat the chicken – dip each chicken cutlet into the egg then in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breading into the chicken as you coat it. Place the coated chicken onto the baking sheet in a single layer with none of them overlapping. Continue until you have coated all of the chicken. Spray each of the chicken cutlets with olive oil spray for extra crispiness.
  5. Cook – place the coated chicken into the preheated oven and bake it for 17-20 minutes, turning it over halfway through the baking time. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. You can check this using a meat thermometer.
  6. Serve – once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and leave it on the pan to cool for a few minutes before serving it.

Notes

  • Use chicken breasts that are similar in size or you can buy chicken cutlets.
  • For an extra crispy crust, spray the chicken cutlets with olive oil spray before you bake them.
  • You can store these baked chicken cutlets after they have been cooked and cooled, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in the oven on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for a few minutes until warmed through or in the air fryer at 350 degrees for a few minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 17 minutes
  • Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
  • Method: Oven Baked
  • Cuisine: American
Best Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets - Easy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to getting crispy chicken? ›

Mix things up a little. It makes sense to keep a “wet hand” and a “dry hand” when breading chicken for frying. However, a little mixing of the two actually makes your fried chicken crispier, says Fontana. Take your wet hand, dip it into your buttermilk and hold it over your flour to let it drip into the mixture.

Do you put egg or flour in chicken cutlets first? ›

Dip each breast into the flour, then shake off the excess. Next, run the breast through the egg to coat it lightly and hold the chicken over the liquid to let any excess fall back into the bowl. Finally, lay the chicken in the bread crumbs, turn it over and press it into the breading to coat.

Should baked chicken be covered or uncovered in the oven? ›

Uncovered baking allows the chicken to develop a crispy exterior. Without a cover, the heat can directly reach the surface of the chicken, resulting in a desirable golden-brown color and crispy texture.

How do you keep breaded chicken crispy in the oven? ›

An oven at 250 degrees, or on a general "warm," setting, will keep the chicken hot enough to serve without overcooking it and drying it out, and the extra dry heat from the oven actually helps keep the exterior perfectly crispy.

Is flour or cornstarch better for crispy chicken? ›

Ingredient Tips

My not-so-secret tip to the best fried chicken is a combination of FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, and BAKING POWDER. When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.)

How do restaurants get their chicken so crispy? ›

Restaurants often achieve juicy and tender fried chicken with a crispy exterior through a combination of techniques such as marinating the chicken in buttermilk or brine, using a seasoned flour or breading mixture, and deep-frying at the right temperature.

Do you put water in the pan when baking chicken? ›

It's usually not necessary to add water to the pan for a roast chicken: the steam created by the water can prevent the skin from becoming browned and crisp.

How do you keep chicken from drying out in the oven? ›

  1. Use thighs. As stated before, the higher fat content will help keep the meat moist.
  2. If you can, salt the meat well before you cook it. Even salting a half an hour before you cook it will get some salt into the muscle. ...
  3. Even a thin layer of mayo on the chicken will help buffer the drying effects of the heat.
Jul 13, 2023

How long to cook chicken in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

The right temperature and time
Type of chickenWeightRoasting: 350°F (177˚C)
breast halves, boneless4 oz.20 to 30 minutes
legs or thighs4 to 8 oz.40 to 50 minutes
drumsticks4 oz.35 to 45 minutes
wings2 to 3 oz.20 to 40 minutes
1 more row

Why didn't my chicken get crispy in the oven? ›

Chicken skin needs to be dry in order for it to crisp when cooked. Whether or not you rinse the chicken before prepping, you need to make sure the skin is as dry as possible. After removing the chicken from the package (and washing it, if that is your preferred method) pat each piece dry with paper towels.

Why is my crispy chicken not crispy? ›

If your oil temp is too high, your fried chicken will be scorched on the outside with meat that is undercooked. If the oil is too cool, your chicken will be greasy and will lack the golden-brown crispy exterior you want.

What makes chicken skin crispy when baking? ›

That trick is a sprinkling of baking powder, and it'll get you the crispiest, crackliest bites of fatty, salty skin imaginable, whether you're cooking just one thigh, a plate of wings, or an entire bird. Baking powder, it turns out, is good for quite a lot more than baking.

What is the secret to crispy chicken skin? ›

To reap those benefits, simply combine one part baking powder with three to four parts kosher salt (about a teaspoon of baking powder per tablespoon of kosher salt will work), add some black pepper to taste, then sprinkle it evenly over the surface of the skin.

What is the secret to keeping fried chicken crispy? ›

Proper cooling sets the crust and ensures that the chicken will have done all its carryover cooking. I like to cool any leftover chicken completely and then store in a paper towel-lined airtight container in the fridge. The paper towel absorbs condensation and keeps that chicken crisp for midnight snacking.

What ingredient makes chicken skin crispy? ›

The baking powder and salt help break down the proteins in the skin, draw moisture to the surface, and also aid in browning. We take a very similar approach in our recipe for Crisp Roast Chicken.

How to make crispy chicken skin on the stove? ›

Heat the oil in a large, heavy-duty, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is perfect) over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, arrange the chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the skin is well browned, moving the thighs occasionally to make sure they are browning evenly.

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