Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Cutlet Pasta with Garlic-Parmesan Butter

This Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Cutlet Pasta is built around a simple contrast that makes weeknight dinner feel a little elevated: a super-crisp, panko-and-Parmesan–coated chicken cutlet paired with penne tossed in a silky garlic–Parmesan butter. The air fryer gives you all the crunch of frying with a fraction of the oil and cleanup, while pounding the breasts thin ensures the chicken cooks quickly and evenly so the crumbs stay golden and the meat stays juicy. A little grated Parmesan folded into the panko adds savory depth and helps the crumbs brown without burning.

The garlic–Parmesan butter is purposefully restrained — just enough butter, pasta water, and cheese to create a glossy emulsion that clings to the ridges of penne and to those crispy chicken edges. This version is for busy cooks who want texture and comfort in one bowl: families, weeknight hosts who value speed, and anyone who prefers crisp cutlets without standing over a fryer. Finish with a squeeze of lemon or extra Parm for brightness, and you’ve got a fast, crowd-pleasing meal that still feels thoughtful.