Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Cutlets with Slaw
Crispy air fryer buffalo chicken cutlets with slaw tantalise the taste buds with an irresistible combination of crunch, heat, and tanginess.
This is part of my recipe series of using a single whole chicken for three dishes. This includes Air Fryer Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables and Crispy Croutons. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this flavour-packed dish elevates the classic chicken tender to new heights of deliciousness.
Just a heads up, this post contains Amazon affiliate links. Don’t worry, these are products I personally love and recommend. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Happy cooking and thanks for supporting Culinary Cartel!
What are Crispy Buffalo Chicken Cutlets?
Buffalo chicken cutlets are a mouthwatering twist on traditional chicken tenders, featuring a sweet and spicy buffalo sauce that adds a kick of heat and flavour. Chicken cutlets are typically made with chicken breast strips, coated in a seasoned breading, and then fried to golden perfection. The signature buffalo sauce, a combination of hot sauce, butter, and spices, lends the dish its distinctive flavour profile.
Why Bread the Chicken?
Breading buffalo chicken cutlets serve several important purposes. Firstly, the breading provides a crispy exterior that contrasts with the tender, juicy interior of the chicken, creating a satisfying textural contrast. Additionally, the breading helps to seal in moisture during cooking, ensuring that the chicken remains succulent and flavourful. Finally, the seasoned breading adds flavour to the dish, enhancing the overall taste experience.
However, in this recipe, I use tortilla chips rather than toasted breadcrumbs because they’re more robust and will stay on the chicken when you dip the cutlets. They also give superior colour and crisp.
Removing the Breast from a Whole Chicken
Removing the breast from a whole chicken may seem daunting at first, but with a few simple steps, it can be done with ease. Begin by placing the whole chicken breast-side up on a clean cutting board. Use a sharp knife to make a shallow incision along the breastbone, starting at the top of the bird and cutting down to the bottom. Next, carefully slice along one side of the breastbone, following the contour of the bone until the breast meat is fully separated. You can follow the same process if you’ve already used half of the chicken in this recipe.
Slay with Slaw
Slaw is a refreshing and crunchy accompaniment to various dishes, from barbecue and fried chicken to sandwiches and tacos. Its versatility and ability to complement different flavours make slaw a favorite side dish for many occasions. This crisp and crunchy slaw combines flavours and textures, with the mild, slightly sweet taste of fennel complementing the crisp, slightly bitter notes of celery. Adding a tangy dressing of yoghurt, mayonnaise, and lemon juice adds brightness and depth to the salad. You can also add some richness to your slaw by crumbling a creamy blue cheese on top.
Enjoyed the Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Cutlets with Slaw?
As always, if you try this recipe, let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with. Happy Cooking!
Shop the Equipment
These are Amazon affiliate links of the products I personally love and recommend. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, you can definitely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The cooking time may vary slightly, so cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
What kind of hot sauce can I use for the buffalo sauce?
You can use any hot sauce you like! For a classic buffalo flavour, use a Frank’s RedHot sauce. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can use a habanero or ghost pepper hot sauce.
Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?
Yes! I include directions to use your oven if you don’t have an air fryer.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of tortilla chips?
You can, but breadcrumbs aren’t as robust as the chips to hold up in the dipping sauce, and you won’t have the same crunch and colour.
What if I don’t have fennel?
No problem! You can simply use four sticks of celery instead of the combination of celery and fennel.
How spicy are these crispy cutlets?
The spice level is adjustable based on your preference. The recipe uses two tablespoons of Tabasco, but you can reduce it to one tablespoon for a milder taste.
What other dipping sauces can I use?
While buffalo sauce is a classic, you can experiment with different dipping sauces like ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or honey mustard.
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Slaw
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 2 portions
Description
Crispy air fryer buffalo chicken cutlets with slaw tantalise the taste buds with an irresistible combination of crunch, heat, and tanginess. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this flavour-packed dish elevates the classic chicken tender to new heights of deliciousness.
Ingredients
- 1 chicken breast
- 1/2 bag tortilla chips (roughly 100g) blitzed into breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup/45g flour
- 1 egg
Buffalo sauce
- 2 tbsp Tabasco
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
For the slaw
- 2 sticks celery
- 1 small bulb fennel, or half a large, OR substitute for 2 more sticks of celery
- Small bunch dill, 1 tsp chopped
- Small bunch chives, 1 tsp chopped
- 1/4 cup/65g yoghurt
- 1 1/2 tbsp mayo
- 1 lemon
Make it your own
- 30–40g creamy blue cheese
Instructions
- Start by blitzing your nacho chips until they resemble fine bread crumbs
- Slice your chicken breast through the middle, dividing it in half into 2 thin cutlets.
- Set up your breading station: Put your flour in a bowl, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk your egg together with a tablespoon of water and half a teaspoon of Tabasco. To a final bowl, add your crushed nachos.
- Bread your chicken by first dipping it in flour, then egg, then flour and egg again, then finally into the crushed nachos, pressing the crumbs firmly into the cutlets.
- Set the cutlets aside while you make the slaw.
- Thinly slice the celery and fennel. Add these to a bowl along with the finely chopped herbs, yoghurt, mayo and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Mix the slaw together and season to taste, adding a little more lemon if needed
If adding blue cheese, crumble it into the slaw. - Let’s cook:
Preheat your oven or air fryer.
Airfryer: Place the tray with the chicken in the higher part of the oven, ~10 centimetres from the heat source. Grill at 200ºC for 6 minutes, flipping halfway.
Oven: Cook at 220ºC using the fan grill or at 200ºC, if not fan, for 6 minutes in the top section of the oven, flipping halfway. - While the cutlets cook, make the buffalo sauce. Melt the butter and honey in the microwave, then stir in the Tabasco.
- Pour the hot sauce over the cutlets, tossing them to coat thoroughly.
- Plate up with slaw and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 6 min
- Category: Mains
- Method: Air fryer, Oven
