Our chicken cutlet sandwich is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Thinly sliced chicken is breaded then dipped in an egg wash then cooked in your air fryer or on the stovetop. Similar to the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, it’s a kid favorite!
One of the best chicken cutlet sandwich recipes, these cutlets are air fried before being placed on a bun and topped with any topping or dressing (find inspiration below!). A mess-free way to create a flavor-packed homemade fried chicken sandwich!
Making copycat Chick-Fil-A sandwiches at home is fun for the whole family. Whether making for a weeknight dinner or a weekend lunch, encourage everyone in the family to participate.
Grab our recipes for homemade Breakfast Sandwiches, Muffuletta Sandwiches and French Dip Sandwiches if looking for more gluten-free sandwiches that are kid-approved.
Ingredients
- 6 gluten-free hamburger buns
- 1 pound chicken breasts ✅
- 1 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour We used Bob’s Red Mill
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika ✅
- lettuce, pickles, ranch or Chick-fil-A sauce ✅optional
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
The process of preparing delicious and tender chicken cutlet sandwiches starts with proper slicing and tenderizing techniques. Begin by carefully slicing chicken breasts in half lengthwise, using a sharp knife and one hand to ensure precision. Next, place the chicken between plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound it until it reaches a uniform thickness of about 1/2 inch using a kitchen mallet or rolling pin. This step not only ensures even cooking but also tenderizes the meat.
Now, prepare the flour mixture by whisking together flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a flat-bottomed bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with seasoned salt and pepper to create an egg mixture.
Dip the chicken breasts into the flour mixture, coating them thoroughly and shaking off excess flour. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, ensuring they are well-coated and allowing any extra to drip off. Give the chicken a final coating in the flour mixture before placing them on the air fryer pan.
Prior to cooking, either preheat the air fryer to 400°F or heat a skillet over medium-high heat. It’s crucial to spray the chicken cutlets with nonstick cooking spray before cooking to achieve that desirable golden-brown crust. If using a skillet, make sure it’s also coated with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Air fry the chicken for 5 minutes on each side or pan-fry them for a total of 10 minutes, flipping midway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Once cooked, assemble the cutlets onto warmed buns, and top them with fresh lettuce, pickles, and your preferred dressing to create a flavorful and satisfying chicken cutlet sandwich.
Air Fried Chicken Sandwich Toppings
Wondering what to put on this crispy chicken sandwich recipe? Pick any of these ideas or change up the toppings each time!
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickle
- Jalapenos
- Sliced cheddar, pepper jack or provolone cheese
- Bacon
- Coleslaw
Finish it off by drizzling your favorite dressing or this homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce.
Tips and Tricks
- Even Slicing: To ensure uniform cooking, try to slice the chicken breasts as evenly as possible. You can also place the chicken between plastic wrap and gently pound any thicker parts to achieve a more consistent thickness.
- Use Plastic Wrap or Parchment Paper: Placing the chicken between plastic wrap or parchment paper not only makes it easier to pound the chicken but also prevents any mess and contamination.
- Season Generously: Don’t be afraid to season the flour mixture and egg wash generously. Flavorful seasoning will enhance the taste of the chicken.
- Double Coating: The double coating process (flour, egg wash, flour) creates a crispier crust. Be sure to shake off excess flour and egg mixture to avoid a heavy coating.
- Shake Off Excess Flour: After coating the chicken with flour, give it a gentle shake to remove any excess flour. This will prevent the flour from clumping during cooking.
- Preheat the Cooking Surface: Whether you’re using an air fryer or skillet, make sure it’s properly preheated before adding the chicken. This helps achieve a nice sear and prevents sticking.
- Check Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to get creative with your sandwich toppings. Consider adding cheese, bacon, sliced tomatoes, or other ingredients that complement the flavors.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the cooked chicken cutlets to rest for a few minutes before assembling the sandwiches. This helps the juices redistribute within the meat, making it juicier.
- Serve with Dipping Sauces: Provide a variety of dipping sauces on the side for extra flavor. Classic choices include ranch dressing, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
- Adjust Cooking Time: Cooking times might vary based on the thickness of the chicken and the specific air fryer or skillet you’re using. Keep an eye on the chicken to prevent overcooking.
By incorporating these tips and tricks into your preparation, you’ll be well on your way to crafting irresistibly delicious and perfectly cooked chicken cutlet sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cutlet is a slice of chicken either from a chicken breast or thigh that has been pounded thin.
Alongside this chicken cutlet sandwich, you could serve Gluten Free Potato Salad, Gluten Free Pasta Salad, Broccoli Salad without Mayo, Gluten Free Sweet Potato Fries, Curly Fries in Air Fryer, or Fruit Salad.
High heat! If you enjoy an extra crispy sandwich, add 2-3 minutes to the total cooking time.
While this recipe specifically calls for chicken breasts, you can adapt the process to other meats like pork or even turkey cutlets. Adjust cooking times as needed.
To maintain crispiness, avoid stacking the cooked chicken cutlets and serve them immediately. If you need to keep them warm before serving, place them on a wire rack in a low-temperature oven.
Storage Instructions
To store leftover cooked chicken cutlets, allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. If stacking them, separate each piece with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate the container promptly and consume within 3-4 days.
To reheat use your oven or air fryer to maintain the crispy texture.
Preheat the oven to around 350°F (175°C) and place the cutlets on a baking sheet. Reheat for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re warmed through and crispy.
Alternatively, in an air fryer, cook at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes, flipping once.
Avoid using the microwave, as it might cause the cutlets to become soggy. Following these storage and reheating instructions will help you enjoy your chicken cutlet sandwiches even after they’ve been initially prepared.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Placing the chicken between plastic wrap or parchment paper helps to prevent the raw chicken from splattering all over the kitchen. Make sure the chicken is covered before using the mallet or rolling pin to pound thin.
- Spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray before placing it in the air fryer to help the chicken get extra crunchy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F before serving. If not, add it back to the air fryer to cook longer.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
- Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
- air fryer or large skillet
- 2 large flat bottom bowls
Ingredients
- 6 gluten-free hamburger buns
- 1 pound chicken breasts ✅
- 1 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour We used Bob's Red Mill
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika ✅
- lettuce, pickles, ranch or Chick-fil-A sauce ✅optional
Instructions
- ⭐️Slice chicken breast in half. Place one hand on top of the chicken breast. With a sharp knife, carefully cut the chicken breast in half lengthwise. Repeat.
- ⭐️Pound the chicken thin. Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a kitchen mallet or rolling pin, pound or roll the chicken until it's about 1/2 inch thick and all areas are of equal thickness. This helps tenderize the chicken and allows for even baking.
- Combine the flour mix. To a large flat-bottomed bowl or pan whisk together the flour, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Whisk the eggs. In another large flat-bottomed bowl or pan whisk together the eggs, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Coat the chicken. Place the chicken breast into the flour mixture. Coat in flour, shaking off the extra. Place chicken into the egg mixture. Coat well letting the extra drip off. Coat again in the flour mix. Place onto the air fryer pan. Repeat for all the chicken.
- ⭐️Preheat the air fryer or heat the pan and spray the chicken. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F or heat the skillet to medium-high heat. Spray the chicken cutlets with nonstick cooking spray. This helps them get golden brown. If using a skillet make sure it's well coated in cooking spray as well.
- ⭐️Fry the chicken. Air fry or pan fry for 5 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Serve. Serve on a warmed bun topped with lettuce, pickles, and your favorite dressing.
Notes
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickle
- Jalapenos
- Sliced cheddar, pepper jack or provolone cheese
- Bacon
- Coleslaw
Nutrition
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