This Low Carb Italian Chicken Cutlets recipe is high in protein and full of flavor. The chicken is dipped in Greek yogurt to help the crispy pork rind crumb breading stick, making it a delicious, keto and diabetic friendly option for a quick and easy gluten free meal! Make it in the oven or air fryer!
This low carb chicken cutlet recipe is made with thin slices of chicken breast, pounded to an even thickness for quicker cooking and tenderness. Looking for more low carb chicken recipes? These Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are one of my favorite chicken recipes.
You will also love this Baked Italian Chicken with Fennel,Low Carb Italian Chicken Veggie Casserole, Low Carb Swiss Chicken Casserole or this Low Carb Coconut Lime Chicken recipe made with tender chicken cooked in a creamy coconut lime sauce. You might also love this Low Carb Bourbon Chicken, Low Carb Tex-Mex Chicken and Cauliflower Rice, Low Carb Sausage and Cabbage Skillet or these Keto Crispy Chicken Thighs.
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Why you'll love this recipe?
- These oven baked low carb chicken cutlets offer all the flavor without the carbs, making them perfect for a keto lifestyle.
- With classic Italian chicken cutlets flavor, this recipe delivers that savory taste you crave, enhanced with parmesan in the crispy breading.
- It's a protein-packed meal that keeps you full and satisfied, thanks to the tender chicken and nutritious ingredients.
- The Greek yogurt creates a creamy layer under the crispy breaded coating, adding extra flavor and texture for a gluten free chicken cutlet.
- This is an easy recipe that you can make in the air fryer or oven, giving you delicious, low carb Italian chicken cutlets with minimal effort!
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Ingredients for chicken cutlets
- Chicken cutlets - The main protein of the dish, providing a juicy and tender base that cooks quickly and evenly.
- Pork rind crumbs - A low-carb alternative to traditional breadcrumbs, they create a crunchy, keto-friendly breading.
- Greek yogurt - Acts as a binder to help the breading stick while adding creaminess and a slight tang to the dish.
- Grated parmesan - Adds a salty, savory depth to the breading, enhancing the flavor and richness of the cutlets.
- Lemon juice - Provides acidity that brightens the flavors and helps tenderize the chicken for a more enjoyable texture.
- Italian seasoning - A blend of herbs that gives the chicken cutlets a classic Italian flavor, complementing the breading and spices.
- Garlic and onion powder - These add aromatic depth and flavor to the breading, enhancing the overall taste of the cutlets.
- Olive oil, Salt and Black Pepper
* See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
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Steps by step instructions
How to make low carb Italian chicken cutlets?
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
STEP 2: Prepare the chicken breasts (each around 6 oz) by pounding them to a ¼ inch thickness. If they are too thick, cut them in half horizontally and lengthwise.
Then, in a large bowl marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper for 30 minutes or more to enhance flavor and tenderness.
STEP 3: Make the seasoned breading mixture by combining the pork rind crumbs, grated parmesan, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning on a flat platter or dish.
STEP 4: Make the yogurt mixture by combining the Greek yogurt with salt and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl.
STEP 5: Remove each chicken breast from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off, then dip it into the yogurt mixture to coat thoroughly, shaking off any excess.
STEP 6: Bread each chicken cutlet generously in the pork rind mixture, ensuring a good coating. Once breaded, place each cutlet on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top to allow for even cooking.
STEP 7: Spray the chicken cutlets with olive oil spray or baking spray to promote a golden, crispy crust during baking. Bake in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Enjoy your low carb Italian chicken cutlets.
Air Fryer Method: Place the breaded chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to air fry in batches). Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Top Tip
For extra flavor, try adding herbs or spices to the Greek yogurt mixture before coating the chicken. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil, or spices like paprika or cayenne pepper, can elevate the taste and make your chicken cutlets even more delicious!
Side dishes to serve with these cutlets
- Italian Cauliflower Rice Salad: a perfect mix of cauliflower rice, roasted vegetables, savory prosciutto and provolone cheese.
- Herb Roasted Carrots and Radishes: a flavorful blend of herbs elevates the natural sweetness of the vegetables
- Keto Greek Salad: packed with fresh veggies and topped with a deliciously tangy dressing
- Easy Burrata Caprese Salad: featuring creamy fresh burrata, succulent cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil pesto.
These sides will enhance your meal and keep it low-carb while providing a variety of flavors and textures!
Recipe tips, variations and storage
Recipe Tips:
- Pound Evenly: Make sure to pound the chicken breasts evenly to ensure they cook uniformly. This helps prevent the thinner parts from drying out while the thicker parts finish cooking.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Crispiness Boost: If you prefer extra crispiness, you can air fry the cutlets instead of baking them. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Variations:
- Spice It Up: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the breading mixture for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Lovers: Mix shredded mozzarella or other cheese into the pork rind breading for added flavor and richness.
- Different Proteins: Try using turkey cutlets or pork loin instead of chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Zesty Marinade: Experiment with different marinades, such as adding garlic or using a store-bought Italian dressing, to change the flavor base.
Storage:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover cooked chicken cutlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: To freeze, place the cooled cutlets in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) until heated through, about 20-25 minutes, or until they reach the proper internal temperature.
- Reheating: For the best texture, reheat in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave to keep the coating crispy.
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Recipe Card
Low Carb Italian Chicken Cutlets
Instructional Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 5 skinless chicken breasts 6oz around ¼ inch thick.
Marinade
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pork Rind Breading
- 1.5 cups pork rind crumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon italian seasoning
Yogurt Mixture
- 1.5 cups plain greek yogurt (2-5%)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream of needed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pound the chicken breasts to a thickness of ¼ inch (each breast should be around 6 oz). If they are too thick, you can cut them into thinner pieces. If your chicken breasts are large you may only need 2-3 chicken breasts.5 skinless chicken breasts
- In a large bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients and then transfer the chicken to the bowl. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor and tenderness.2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- On a flat platter or dish, combine seasoned pork rind breading and mix until well combined.1.5 cups pork rind crumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 2 tablespoon italian seasoning
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the yogurt mixture. If yogurt mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with milk or cream.1.5 cups plain greek yogurt (2-5%), ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- After 30 minutes, remove each chicken breast from the marinade. Let any excess liquid drip off. Dip the chicken into the yogurt mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Shake off any excess yogurt.
- Then place the yogurt coated chicken in the seasoned pork rind mixture, ensuring each cutlet is generously coated.
- Prepare for baking. Place the breaded cutlets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and a wire rack to allow for even cooking. If you don't have a wire rack you can bake on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, just flip a couple of times to promote even browning.
- Spray the chicken cutlets with olive oil spray or baking spray. This will help achieve a golden, crispy crust while baking.
- Bake in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 30 minutes. Flip the cutlets halfway through cooking for even browning. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Baking time may vary depending on how thick your chicken breasts are.
- See notes above for the step by step directions for the air fryer directios.
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If the video and recipe card differ, follow the recipe card for the latest ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooked food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more food guidelines
Jean says
Loved that these are high protein, which I was looking for when trying to find a recipe for dinner. Will make again soon.
Swathi says
These Italian chicken cutlets is delicious, I tried it, perfect meal.
Nicole says
These chicken cutlets were incredible!! So flavorful and so easy to make.
Criss says
Love this recipe! I made it the other day, and it was a hit. Super easy and delicious!