Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Recipes

First we shared How Long to Cook Thin Chicken Breast in Oven and that was really popular. Now we have continued with other thin sliced chicken breast recipes so you can bake, air fry or cook them on the stove to tender and juicy.

How to Cook Thin Chicken Breasts

Our favorite way of all is to make Thin Chicken Breast in Air Fryer. Not only is it super fast to do this way but the outside gets a bit crispy while keeping the insides super tender. If you are just starting out on this journey I would go with this one all the way. Mix and match what you add to the outside and you have tons of variations to serve week after week.

Of course you can just season with salt and pepper, or there are dry rubs bottled at the store that have. bit more oomph but you can use fresh herbs too. Dice 1-2 of your favorites right at home for Herbed Crusted Chicken that is a big wow.

Skillet chicken breasts are great for a variety of dishes, such as chicken piccata, slow cooker chicken parmesan, stir-fries, and more. A convenient option when you need a quick and easy protein source for your meals. Customize the seasonings and cooking method to suit your recipe and taste preferences.

How to Cook Thin Chicken Breasts in a Pan

• Season baked thin-sliced chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder or any other seasonings you prefer. You could marinate them too, or press into nuts or breadcrumbs like our Pecan Crusted Trout.
• Heat a cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of the pan.
• Once the pan is hot and the oil is shimmering, add the thin-sliced chicken breasts to the pan in a single layer. If you have a large batch, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can result in uneven cooking.
• Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
• Flip over using tongs and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side.
  • The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken and your preferred level of doneness.
• These will cook quickly and are typically best when cooked until it’s internal temperature reaches 165 °F
• Cook your side dish at the same time, or may need to start beforehand if it takes more like 30 minutes so they’re done together.

in a toaster oven

Chicken Breast in a Toaster Oven is basically done the same way for about the same timing. If you live in a small area and only have one of these countertop appliances it is a great method to get an outer crisp too. Just squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top with salt and pepper if you want super simple.

By following these steps and practicing good knife skills, you can easily achieve uniformly thin slices for to make Instant Pot Pad Thai with Chicken or a number of different dishes.

How to Slice Chicken Breasts Thin

1. Chill the Chicken for easier slicing. Best method is to place in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to partially freeze them. This will firm up the meat and make it easier to slice thinly.
2. Prep Your Cutting Board and Knife so you have a clean, stable area to create even slices.
3. Slice Across the Grain with your pieces of partially frozen chicken breasts. Muscle fibers run horizontally. Slicing against the grain will result in more tender pieces. The grain lines are usually easy to see on each piece.
4. Slice Thinly using a smooth, even motion. Slice thinly by making parallel cuts perpendicular to the grain. Aim for slices that are about 1/4 inch thick or less.

Continue slicing until you’ve cut the entire piece into thin slices. Be mindful of your fingers and maintain a firm grip as you slice to ensure safety. You can use these immediately in your Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soup or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.

How Long to Cook Thin Chicken Cutlets

We go over baking directions in How Long to Bake Chicken Cutlets here as well as other cook times. How are these different? You may consider them the same which is understandable, and the cook time is typically very similar, about 10 – 20 minutes if they are frozen.

Differences between thin chicken breasts and thin chicken cutlets

Thin breasts are typically slices of whole pieces that have been cut thinly, often to a thickness of about 1/4 inch or less. They are essentially regular breasts that have been sliced horizontally to create thinner pieces. Many times you will need to do this yourself, sometimes you might find it done by the butcher already.

Thin Fried Chicken Cutlets are usually smaller breasts that have been pounded or flattened to an even thickness, typically around 1/4 inch or less. They are made by placing a 1 piece between plastic wrap or parchment paper and using a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten it. Both cook quickly due to their thinness. They are ideal for recipes that require rapid cooking, such as sautéing, pan-frying, or grilling.

What to Make with Thin sliced chicken breasts

These are often used when you want to maintain it’s original shape but reduce its thickness. They can be used in various dishes, including chicken piccata, and sandwiches. Cutlets are commonly used in recipes that involve breading and frying, such as chicken schnitzel or as a base for dishes like chicken rollatini.

I will share how to make it this way below in the recipe card. It is super simple like I said and can be changed up with the seasonings you coat each piece with. If you did want to press into some breadcrumbs for a crispy crunchy texture you could. Dredge in eggs and press to coat or this is How to Bread Chicken Without Eggs,

How to Bake Thin Chicken Breasts in Oven

• Preheat oven to 360 degrees F. Line baking sheet with non stick foil.
• Slice breasts into 1/4″ thick slices. Dab meat with paper towels to remove outer moisture.
• Rub olive oil all over each piece and season all over with dry rub or salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Lay on baking sheet with a bit of space in between each one.
• Bake for a total of 12-15 minutes flipping over after 10 minutes. Total timing will depend on thickness, insides should reach 165 F. before removing from oven.
• Leave on sheet pan for 5 minutes before serving and slicing.

Allowing meat to rest is important so the juices don’t “bleed” out instead of staying inside for added moisture. For a super healthy duo go for a salad on the side with lots of vegetables inside. My kids usually expect this on top of a bed of mashed potatoes which is pure comfort food.

How to reheat leftovers

If you do have leftover meat don’t throw it away. It can be enjoyed again the next day by Reheating Chicken in Air Fryer, stove or microwave. I wouldn’t recommend the latter as it makes it a dry out unless you add some sort of gravy or sauce to the top first.