If you’re craving a spicy kick and crave that extra crispy texture in your chicken, then Crispy Kickin Cayenne Chicken Cutlets is the perfect dish for you. This recipe brings together the fiery heat of cayenne pepper with the satisfying crunch of perfectly breaded chicken. Originally inspired by the flavors of buffalo chicken and southern fried chicken, this recipe combines the best of both worlds for a dish that’s easy to make, yet full of bold flavor.
Whether you’re serving it up for game night, a family dinner, or simply want to impress friends, these Buffalo Spiced Crispy Chicken Cutlets are a guaranteed hit. Best of all, they’re incredibly versatile — pair them with a fresh salad, serve them on a bun, or even enjoy them as they are!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Cutlets:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Kickin’ Cayenne Coating:
- 2 tbsp cayenne pepper sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp honey (optional for a hint of sweetness)
For Serving:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Fresh lettuce, tomato slices (optional)
- Soft burger buns (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Cutlets
- Pound the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag. Use a meat mallet to pound them to about ½ inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly.
- Set up the breading station: In one shallow dish, place the flour. In another, whisk together the eggs and water. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Bread the chicken: First, dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it in the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated, then press it into the breadcrumb mixture until completely covered.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
- Heat the oil: Pour about ½ inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when a small piece of breadcrumb sizzles immediately when dropped into the oil.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully place the breaded chicken breasts into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the cutlets are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 3: Make the Kickin’ Cayenne Coating
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cayenne pepper sauce, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and honey (if using). You can adjust the cayenne sauce amount to match your heat preference.
Step 4: Coat and Serve
- Coat the chicken: Brush or drizzle the cayenne coating generously over each chicken cutlet, ensuring every bite has that delicious kick.
- Serve: These cutlets are perfect on their own with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Alternatively, serve them as a sandwich with fresh lettuce and tomato on a soft bun.
Tips and Variations
- Spice it up or down: If you love a fiery kick, feel free to add more cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. For a milder version, reduce the amount of cayenne or substitute with sweet paprika.
- Bake instead of fry: If you prefer a lighter version, bake the cutlets in a 400°F (200°C) preheated oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’ll still turn out crispy without the added oil.
- Add extra flavor: For an extra depth of flavor, marinate the chicken in buttermilk for a few hours before breading. This also tenderizes the chicken, making it even juicier.
- Change the sauce: Swap the cayenne sauce for your favorite buffalo sauce or add some hot honey for a sweet and spicy contrast.
- Air fryer option: These cutlets can also be cooked in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), spray the chicken cutlets with cooking spray, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Sugars: 2g
(Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on portion sizes and ingredients used.)
These Crispy Kickin Cayenne Chicken Cutlets are packed with bold flavors, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Whether you enjoy them on their own or as part of a meal, they’re a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Feel free to experiment with the level of spice and serving options to make this recipe truly your own.
If you love this recipe, be sure to check out other crispy and flavorful dishes on easycrispyrecipes.com, such as our Buffalo Spiced Crispy Chicken Cutlets or Crispy Fried Boiled Eggs. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below and tag us on social media if you try it out! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you.