Creating Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Katsu is a straightforward process that will yield impressive results. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by placing the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness of about ½ inch.

1. Create Breading Stations: Set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add flour, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well. In the second bowl, crack the eggs and beat them until well combined. In the third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.

1. Dredge the Chicken: Take one piece of chicken and dip it into the flour mixture, ensuring it is fully covered. Shake off any excess flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in panko breadcrumbs, pressing down to ensure the crumbs stick well. Repeat with the second piece of chicken.

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

1. Spray with Cooking Oil: Lightly spray the panko-coated chicken with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil. This helps achieve that beautiful crispiness.

1. Air Fry the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure they are not overlapping for even cooking. Air fry for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

1. Rest the Chicken: Once done, allow the chicken katsu to rest for a minute. This helps retain the juices.

1. Slice and Serve: Using a sharp knife, slice the chicken katsu into strips for serving.