Simple Baked Chicken Cutlets

Easy baked chicken cutlets are a healthier way to make your favorite breaded chicken recipes and you only need five ingredients and 30 minutes for an incredible meal! 

Sometimes I love complex recipes with lots of ingredients and steps and sometimes I like simple recipes I can mix up in lots of ways. This simple chicken cutlet recipe is one of those “keep up your sleeve” recipes that you can whip together in less than 30 minutes and everyone loves it! What's not to like about crispy, baked chicken?

These chicken cutlets are also super versatile. I have been known to add crushed nuts, shredded coconut, herbs, and different spices to change up the base flavors.

In terms of meal ideas, the options almost never end. Serve it on its own with a salad and baked fries. Make a quick chicken Parmesan by adding sauce and mozzarella. Add it to a green salad for some crunch and protein. Make amazing crispy chicken sandwiches with some coleslaw and hearty bread. Or simply dip them in your favorite sauce, honey mustard anyone?

This is also one of those meals that I can make for my family and everyone is happy. My husband's favorite meal of all time is chicken milanesa, so he'll accept this as a healthier substitute. Plus every kid that I know loves breaded chicken. Everyone can add their own sauce.

What You'll Need

Everything you need to make this tasty chicken recipe at home,

• Chicken breast cutlets: The easiest option is boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets since they are already sliced down into thinner pieces. You 
• Seasoned breadcrumbs: By using seasoned breadcrumbs, there is no need to add dried herbs or seasoning to the breadcrumbs. If you are starting with plain breadcrumbs, add Italian seasoning. Regular or Panko breadcrumbs will work. 
• Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan will blend seamlessly into the breadcrumbs since they are similar in size. Grated works as well. The cheese adds flavor, salt, and also helps with crispiness.
• Garlic powder: Amp us the flavor with garlic powder. Leave this out or adjust the amount if you aren't a fan of garlic.
• Egg whites: Egg whites or whole eggs can be used to coat the chicken. The eggs serve to bind the breadcrumbs to the chicken. 
• Cooking spray: To get the breading golden brown and crunchy, spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray. Another option is to brush the breaded chicken with olive oil or to add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter to the breading mixture.  The extra fat helps things get super crisp.

How to Make Breaded Chicken Cutlets

Follow these steps to make deliciously crunchy chicken at home.

1. Pound the chicken to uniform thickness: One of the most important things to ensure these chicken cutlets out nice and crispy is starting with thin chicken breasts. Store-bought cutlets may still need to be pounded slightly until about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Larger chicken breasts will need to be sliced horizontally and then pounded out. Make sure to pound the chicken to a uniform thickness so it cooks in the same amount of time. 
2. Make the breading: Use a shallow dish to combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Add fresh parsley, dried herbs, or another seasoning you like to amp up the flavor. Both Panko breadcrumbs and standard breadcrumbs work. 
3. Bread the chicken: Start by dipping the chicken into the egg wash and then pressing it into the breadcrumb mixture on both sides. For extra crispy chicken, dip the chicken into flour before dipping it in the egg wash. 
4. Bake it: Bake the chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer. Thin chicken breasts take about 15 minutes to bake at 400 degrees.

Tips for Baking Crispy Chicken

Here are three expert tips for making extra crispy chicken cutlets every time! 

• Before baking the chicken cutlets, spray them with cooking spray or olive oil spray on both sides. For even more crispiness, add one tablespoon of olive oil right into the breading mixture.
• Place the chicken on a wire rack on a baking sheet to ensure the chicken isn't soggy on one side.
• Turn the oven up to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to get the tops nicely browned and crunchy.

Mix it Up! Recipe Ideas for Chicken Cutlets

• Tropical: Replace 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup of shredded coconut for a sweet tropical flavor.
• Cheesy: Replace 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup extra Parmesan cheese for a cheesier take.
• Nutty: Replace 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts) for a crunchy, nutty twist.
• Herbs: Replace the parsley with fresh thyme, cilantro, basil, rosemary, or oregano and consider squeezing lemon juice over the chicken before breading.
• Add more flavor: Replace the eggs with whole grain mustard, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, or any other favorite condiment.

Here are some tools and products I use to prepare this recipe:

• Baking sheet: There are so many options out there but I have been using this brand for years and find they hold up really well.
• Meat Mallet: Pounding out your chicken can be a bit of a pain without the right tools. I use this meat mallet and place the chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap on a cutting board. You can also buy chicken that is already cut into cutlets if you can find it.