10 Best Oils for Frying Chicken Cutlets – From Best to Worst

Crispy, golden-brown chicken cutlets – they’re the stuff of comfort food dreams. But the key to achieving that perfect crunch lies in the oil you choose. 

Not all oils are created equal for frying, and the right choice makes all the difference.

The best oil for frying chicken cutlets delivers a high smoke point, neutral flavor, and promotes that irresistible crispiness. Think refined peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil – these are your winners.

Want to know which oils to avoid and why? Well, there’s more to this story…

What’s Special about Chicken Cutlet?

Chicken cutlets can be made into tasty dishes. They are basically one (chicken) breast cut in half in a horizontal manner, so you end up with two pieces (the thinner one). 

If you want to make it even thinner, you can pound on it. When you cook it, it will be more evenly and also faster. 

Things to Consider in Choosing Oils

When you want to choose the right oils for frying chicken cutlets, you need to consider the boiling point. Boiling point is what matters when you want to do deep fry, especially when you want to achieve the perfect results. 

The oil must reach a quite high temperature, and yet it should be below the safe (smoking) point. Find out the type of oil you like and its boiling point. From there, you can make an educated decision that is right for your needs. 

10 Best Oils For Frying Chicken Cutlets – Ranked

Why This Matters

• Smoke Point: An oil’s smoke point is the temperature at which it starts to break down and smoke. Choose an oil with a high smoke point for the crispiest results.
• Flavor: Consider whether you want a neutral oil or one that adds a subtle flavor to your chicken.
• Best For: The ideal use cases help you choose the right oil to fit your needs.

10. Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a pretty high boiling point, up to 450 degrees. That’s why it’s considered one of the best oils for frying chicken cutlets. 

You can rest assured that it’s quite ideal for all kinds of frying action. Another good trait of this oil is the fact that it won’t cause flavor transfer. 

It means that you can serve several fried foods without having to worry that it will affect the final taste. 

9. Olive Oil

This oil has this naturally low boiling point which makes it perfect for pan fry action. When you make dishes that require you to brown the meat (or the chicken breasts) within the pan will result in savory flavor with nice fatty depth. 

This is especially great when you use high quality and virgin olive oil. Because of these characteristics, this oil is viewed one of the most ideal oils for frying chicken cutlets. 

Another cool thing about this oil is the fact that it contains the healthiest and also natural fats. It’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which make it heat resistant. 

And because of its one double bond, the oil is pretty stable. But keep in mind that olive oil won’t stay perfect forever. After heating it for a while, the smell and fragrance will deteriorate. You will have to replace it with a new one after several frying. 

8. Canola Oil 

The boiling point is below the peanut oil, which is around 400 degrees. It’s considered quite high for a lot of people. 

Plus, it also comes with neutral flavor, so you won’t have to worry about the flavor result being ruined or damaged. Because of these natural characteristics, canola oil is viewed as one of the perfect oils for frying chicken cutlets. 

The extra bonus is that this oil is rich in fatty acids Omega 3 and also Omega 6. Thanks to these, canola oil is believed to be healthier and safer than other types of oil. 

When it comes to price, canola oil is pretty affordable. In fact, it’s considered cheap for many professional chefs and it’s considered the perfect option for bulk deep frying actions. Whether you want to enjoy deep as well as shallow frying meals, use this oil for perfect outcome. 

Canola oil has this regular and common smell, which smells like….well, oil. Although it doesn’t smell bad, don’t expect it to be like avocado oil because they are completely different. 

And unlike the avocado, canola oil can be a bit ‘cloudy’ when you heat it up so you may want to take that into your consideration.

7. Avocado Oil

Up to this point, avocado oil has the highest boiling point at around 520 degrees. Because of this trait, it’s considered one of the most ideal oils for frying chicken cutlets and all kinds of different frying. 

The oil has this natural sweet taste with a bit nutty flavor. If you like your fried chickens to be a bit nutty and sweet, this would be the perfect pick. 

But this oil is originally designed for deep frying cookies and other sweet dishes and foods, perfecting the final results. 

No need to worry about the price either because it’s considered pretty affordable, if not cheap. The price can even go lower when you buy in bulk. 

When it comes to flavor, peanut oil has this nutty and also fatty flavor, which makes it perfect for boosting up the overall taste of your meal, especially the fried ones. 

But this oil is only safe for those without peanut allergy, so be sure that your guests or family members are okay consuming the oil. 

When we talk about the health benefits, avocado oil is rich in oleic acid which is helpful to decrease cholesterol and reduce inflammation. This is beneficial for healthy heart. 

Not to mention that it also contains chlorophyll, a type of magnesium that helps with the body’s detox within the kidneys, liver, and brain.

The chlorophyll is beneficial to remove any heavy metal. And due to its monounsaturated fats, your body has a better ability to absorb vitamins. 

Another thing to like about this oil is probably the smell. Yes, oils do have their own distinctive smell, especially after you heat them. 

Avocado oil has this nutty and sweet smell that is just nice when you heat it in the pan. When it gets hot, it will turn a bit yellowish. For a lot of people, this smell is wonderful and pleasant. 

6. Sunflower Oil

This one is considered one of the best oils for frying chicken cutlets because of its natural nutty taste. But unlike other oils that may have an obvious nutty note, this one only has a little. 

The level is just perfect, located in the middle between savory and also sweet. It’s perfect for meats as well as desserts, so it’s highly versatile. Whether you want to make fried chicken or donuts, you can use it as your heart desires. 

Aside from the naturally nice flavor, the price range is also nice. It won’t hurt your wallet, and you can enjoy extra deliciousness without digging deeper into your wallet. 

A lot of people like to do cooking experiments with this oil and they like the final outcome. 

5. Corn Oil

This oil is often viewed as one of the alternatives of oils for frying chicken cutlets. 

In case you don’t know it, corn oil is made of kernel or seed of the corn. It’s considered an industrial (seed) oil having a golden yellowish hue. 

Although the taste is neutral and common, some people say that they can taste a hint of buttery flavor to it. Its boiling point is around 410 degrees to 450 degrees, which makes it quite high. 

For some people, this oil is considered the best option when it comes to healthy contents. It has monounsaturated fat as well as polyunsaturated fat. 

It also has Omega 3 and also Omega 6, which is claimed to help when maintaining your health and fitness level. Moreover, this oil is also rich in vitamin E. 

Keep in mind that vitamin E is viewed as the antioxidant of the body that will help the body fight off free radicals as well as protecting the body. 

As if it weren’t enough, corn oil also has a rather high level of linoleic acid, which is an important fatty acids. 

It’s crucial to protect your immune system, cell membranes, and skin. Basically, in moderation, corn oil should be able to help you keep the LDL cholesterol low. 

Some studies have shown that when compared to coconut oil, corn oil is able to show amazing result in making cholesterol levels go normal. 

4. Grapeseed Oil

As you may have guessed, this oil is made from grape seeds. In winemaking industry, the grapes are turned into wine while the seeds are often discarded and thrown away. 

It’s considered a great idea to produce the oil because wine manufacturers can actually make use of the useless seeds. In general, factories would crush the seeds and extract the oil (from the seeds) by the help of solvents, like hexane. 

This kind of solvents have been used in many productions of veggie oil, like soybean oil. But because of the solvents, many people are concerned that grapeseed oil isn’t as healthy as it’s claimed to be. 

3. Rice Bran Oil

When we talk about rice bran oil, we basically talk about homemade product, which is another reason why this oil is viewed as an alternative option for holistic health. 

It’s a veggie oil that is made from rice bran’s byproduct. In Asia, it’s viewed as the premium oil, especially in Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, China, and India. 

Some of the benefits include high boiling point, less oily, prolonged shelf life, less greasy, and the ability to boost the food’s flavor. It’s also rich in oryzanol (which is a phytochemical that is good for the heart). 

2. Lard

The oil’s boiling point is around 370 degrees, which means that it’s pretty okay, but it’s not the most ideal boiling point for frying. 

Lard is one of the traditional mediums of oils for frying chicken cutlets, especially in the southern area. People there love lard so much because the chicken result would have excellent taste with impeccable crispy texture. 

Lard has this stable and nice fatty consistency which is responsible for the flavor although the boiling point is quite low. 

Lard is advisable for sauteing. It’s also great for completing ingredients post roasting. You can do it to carrots, beans, or other vegetables so they can be a bit soft before you serve the dish. 

1. Coconut Oil 

Its boiling point is similar to peanut oil which is around 450 degrees. Everyone knows that it’s also one of the best oils for frying chicken cutlets because of its contents.

 The oil has healthy fats and also high points of lauric acid. If you like deep frying foods, and yet you want to maintain your health, then this oil would be the perfect option. 

Another perk is that it’s flavorless and also odorless, so you won’t have to worry that your cooking would be affected. The oil will prevent any flavor transfer while protecting its original flavor to the highest level. 

And because of its odorless nature, you won’t have to worry that your food will smell funny. 

Keep in mind that coconut oil has this a tad sweet and also nutty taste. If you have to fry other foods besides the chicken cutlets, you can use it for frying desserts. 

Be advised, though, that refined coconut oil is completely DIFFERENT from the unrefined one. The unrefined oil has very strong coconut taste and smell. Some people may like this, but not everyone would be happy with it. 

The Winners

As I have tried different kinds of oils, my top recommendations would be the peanut oil and the olive oil. 

And since I’ve narrowed down my options, I have the chances to try some brands of these two oil types. 

For peanut oil, I would recommend several options. The best one would be Oi! 8.4-Ounce Roasted Peanut Oil, while the organic one would be Spectrum Naturals High Heat Organic Peanut oil.

If you are rather tight on the budget, go with Happy Belly Peanut Oil. But if you choose the best unrefined one, the 365 by Whole Foods Market Roasted Peanut Oil can be a great option. 

For olive oil, there are also several recommendations available. The best olive oil would be California Olive Ranch Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you want to buy in bulk, go with L’estornell Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

If you are on the budget, Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be a good option too. For cooking, you can try Graza Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, and for organic type, go with La Tourangelle Organic Smooth and Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

But then again, there are still other options out there. For instance, the safflower oil has a very nice trait in terms of helping you cook fried chicken meals. 

Its boiling point is pretty high, ranging from 475 degrees to 500 degrees, making it ideal for high heat cooking and deep frying activities. When you deep fry your chickens, the result would be just perfect and nice. 

Another good thing about this oil is the fact that its flavor is neutral. If you want to make savory meals (like French Fries or chicken fingers), this oil would be the best. 

There are also soybean oil or even sesame oil. Make sure that you have done your research thoroughly before choosing a certain type. It’s even okay if you have more than one preference. 

In the end, the preference to choose your favorable oils is up to you. Some people may believe that olive oil is the best, while others think that coconut oil is what they need. 

Hopefully, you can finally decide which would be the best for your needs after you read the facts about the different variants.