18 Best Chicken Cutlet Recipes

By
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/13/21
chicken asparagus pasta

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Chicken cutlets are one of the most versatile proteins out there, and they can turn into a meal that's as complicated or straightforward as you want it to be. You can either buy chicken cutlets sliced from a larger breast or as an entire smaller breast pounded thin, so they have a uniform thickness. You can also pound them yourself at home using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

From a simple two-ingredient dish to far more complex flavor profiles that will make people think you went to culinary school, we have a chicken cutlet recipe that will work for any occasion.

  • 01 of 18

    Fried Chicken Cutlets

    Simple Fried Chicken

    The Spruce

    Simple, straightforward, and delightfully crispy, these fried chicken cutlets also have a little bit of zing from Cajun seasoning. If you like, swap it out for another favorite seasoning mix like Italian, Greek, or Mexican spices.

  • 02 of 18

    Balsamic Marinated Chicken

    balsamic chicken, grilled or broiled recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    With sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar and a handful of Italian herbs and seasonings, these grilled or broiled chicken breasts make an easy and delicious dinner. You need to marinate the chicken for at least an hour, so give yourself some extra time.

  • 03 of 18

    Chicken Katsu

    Chicken Katsu recipe

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    A twist on a traditional Japanese dish that usually uses pork, chicken katsu gets fried in panko until nice and crispy. Top it with a sweet and salty tonkatsu sauce and serve with rice for an easy weeknight meal that will have everyone clamoring for seconds.

  • 04 of 18

    Chicken Parmesan

    Easy Chicken Parmesan

    The Spruce

    Whip up your favorite Italian restaurant dish at home by pounding chicken breast cutlets nice and thin, then pan-frying before baking with cheese and tomato sauce. This tender, saucy dish tastes great over your favorite pasta with garlic bread on the side.

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  • 05 of 18

    Bacon and Sour Cream Skillet Chicken

    Easy Skillet Chicken With Bacon

    The Spruce

    No need to turn on the oven for this quick and easy chicken cutlet recipe that gets a smoky flavor from bacon and a creamy texture from sour cream. Serve it with your favorite starch and veggie side for a well-rounded meal.

  • 06 of 18

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Cutlets make great chicken tenders because they tend to come more uniform in thickness, so they fry up nice and evenly. Using your air fryer means you can have crunchy tenders in no time, with less mess and fat than the deep-fried kind.

  • 07 of 18

    Creamy Basil Pesto Chicken

    Basil chicken with cream sauce

    The Spruce / Nita West

    Prepared pesto makes this creamy and herby basil chicken dish quick and easy, but you can also prepare your own pesto if you have time. Sliced mushrooms give it a little more heft and some texture contrast, too.

  • 08 of 18

    Potato Chip Chicken

    Potato chip chicken

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Instead of coating them with plain, boring breadcrumbs, coat fried chicken potato chips for a more exciting flavor. This recipe is a great way to use up the crumbs at the bottom of the potato chip bag. Use kettle chips for best results.

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  • 09 of 18

    Chicken Asparagus Pasta

    chicken asparagus pasta

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    For a healthy, fresh-tasting spring pasta dish that comes together in one pan, reach for this simple chicken pasta that elevates fresh spring asparagus. A little cream cheese makes the sauce silky, while garlic, lemon, parsley, and Parmesan pump up the flavor.

  • 10 of 18

    Lemon Chicken with Garlic and Wine

    Lemon Chicken with Garlic and Wine

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    While chicken cutlets don't have a ton of flavor on their own, bathe them in white wine, a spritz of lemon juice, garlic, and capers, and you have a delicious meal. Cutlets work great in this lemon chicken recipe because they cook up quickly, so you can have it on the table in under half an hour.

  • 11 of 18

    Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Sriracha Mayo

    Fried Chicken Sandwich

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Have dinner ready before the kids have a chance to ask about it with these quick and scrumptious fried chicken sandwiches. The spicy Sriracha mayo adds a little heat and also tastes awesome as a dipper if you want to forego the bread. Dress them up with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles.

  • 12 of 18

    Cajun Grilled Chicken with Pasta

    Grilled chicken with Cajun sauce and pasta
    The Spruce

    Your backyard grill, a grill pan, or even your broiler can all work to give chicken cutlets that crispy exterior and slightly smoky flavor that complements the Cajun flavoring perfectly. Linguine pulls it all together for a quick, delicious meal.

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  • 13 of 18

    Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

    Instant Pot chicken and dumplings recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Using your Instant Pot means you can have this finger-licking chicken and dumplings ready in far less time, without sacrificing any of the richness. Cube up chicken cutlets for even-shaped squares. It cooks in about 15 minutes, but allow an extra 25 or so for the pressure to build and release.

  • 14 of 18

    Chicken Piccata Pasta

    chicken piccata hero

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    This lemony chicken piccata is a snap to make but tastes like a Sunday supper. Use Meyer lemons if you can find them for the brightest, most citrus-forward flavor. This dish tastes great over pasta or with rice.

  • 15 of 18

    Oven-Baked Tandoori Chicken

    Tandoori Chicken

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    Traditionally, you make tandoori chicken in a clay tandoor oven, but most of us don't have one at home. You can make it in your regular oven using this recipe, which calls for searing off the chicken cutlets on the stove first to seal in their juices. Serve them over a bed of rice.

  • 16 of 18

    Peach Glazed Chicken Breasts

    Peach Glazed Chicken Breasts

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    For a sweet and spicy chicken supper, glaze chicken cutlets with peach preserves, brown mustard, and balsamic vinegar. They come out lightly flavored and perfect for a busy weeknight since you likely have the ingredients already on hand. A side of rice or potato and steamed vegetables rounds it all out.

    Continue to 17 of 18 below.
  • 17 of 18

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    If you love luscious, creamy, stuffed chicken cordon bleu but want to do half the work, reach for this easy chicken cordon bleu pasta—no rolling and stuffing required! You can even prepare the chicken ahead of time for an even faster supper.

  • 18 of 18

    Chicken with Havarti Dill Sauce

    Chicken Cutlets With Havarti Cheese Sauce

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Use Havarti cheese with dill if you can find it for this creamy, saucy chicken dinner that has a lovely, fresh herb flavor. Serve it atop a bed of spinach for a fast, nutritious meal that cheese fans will love.