Chicken is a great choice for a healthy and flavorful meal because of its versatility and familiarity. Notably, thinly sliced chicken breasts can be a heart-healthy source of protein or a true jaw exercise, depending on how you prepare them.
In order to avoid the dreaded rubbery chicken syndrome, the chicken’s lean white meat requires a precise touch. Since fat gives meat flavor and moisture, it must be present during the preparation and cooking process.
Read on as you learn how to cook thinly sliced chicken breast, tips, a recipe, and an estimated cooking time to help you through your cooking.
Chicken Breast Nutrition Facts
Tips on How to Cook Thinly Sliced Chicken Breast
Good seasonings, moderate cooking, and a coating that provides a lovely crunch without overpowering the meat are required for boneless and thinly sliced chicken breasts. On their own, the tiny, thin slices don’t stand a chance.
With this meal being low in fat and high in protein, it will become a regular at your table if prepared properly. You can follow through with these decent tips on how to cook thinly sliced chicken breast.
Maintain good hygiene and cook thoroughly – Raw chicken meat can contain bacteria, including salmonella strains, so keep raw food utensils and cutting boards away from those you use for serving. Always make sure you thoroughly cook chicken and wash your hands with soap and water after handling it.
Coating the chicken breasts – If you’ve ever tried to sear thin-sliced chicken breasts on their own, you’ll know that they’re unappealingly pale until you brown them to death. This is where the protective layer comes in. Flour not only gives your chicken weight but also aids in browning and gives it the crispy crunch you crave.
Moreover, when it comes to thin chicken breasts, flour is the go-to coating. You can use whole wheat, rice, gluten-free, corn, and potato starch flours in addition to all-purpose flour. If you have a bag of almond flour on hand, it will provide a “South Seas” crunch to your chicken. Each type of flour has a distinct flavor, but none of them overpowers the chicken.
Seasoning – Once your chicken breasts have reached room temperature and have been towel-dried, they’re ready to be coated. You can combine the flour and any seasonings you want to use in a large mixing bowl. Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, red chili flakes, chopped cilantro, and French or Italian flavors. Freshly chopped garlic, on the other hand, may burn throughout the sauteing process, leaving your chicken with a bitter taste.
You should place the pieces one by one into the basin, covering them thoroughly. You can shake them out and lay them down on a kitchen towel or paper towel until they’re all ready to go into the skillet.
Sauteing thinly sliced chicken breast – In a skillet, you can heat the olive oil until it becomes frizzy. Then proceed to add the chicken pieces one by one and wait for them to sizzle.
To acquire the color you desire and to be properly cooked, each piece should take no more than 5 minutes on each side. When they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer, they’re ready to eat.
Notably, you have transformed those feeble bits of chicken breast into golden nuggets in less than 15 minutes. To amp up your dinner, squirt a little lemon juice on top or serve with a dip of Thai chili sauce.
Cooking thinly sliced chicken breast in the oven – The oven can also be used to cook thinly sliced chicken breasts. You can heat a shallow roasting pan for 5 minutes at 350°F after lightly oiling it. Place the floured or lightly seasoned chicken pieces in the oil, cover the pan, and cook until the chicken registers 170F on a meat thermometer, about 25 minutes.
Grilling thinly sliced chicken breast – Cooking thinly sliced chicken breasts on the grill is also an option. Simply keep them at least 6–8 inches away from the heat source and lightly oil the grill slats before placing the meat over the fire.
As the pieces cook, turn them many times and baste them with your preferred seasoning sauce. When the internal temperature hits 170 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the oven. Depending on the thickness of the slices, this could take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.
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How Long to Cook a Thinly Sliced Chicken Breast
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then place the chicken breasts on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, you need to keep checking for an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer though.
The chicken breasts will then be seared for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. On both sides, they should turn a golden brown color. Finally, I recommend simply turning them once during the cooking process. In addition, the entire cooking time should be no more than 8 to 10 minutes.
| Cook Time | Sear Time | Total Time |
| 15 – 20 minutes | 4 -5 minutes | 20 – 25 minutes |
Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Go ahead and place the chicken breasts on a cutting board with the rounded side facing up.
- Then half the chicken breasts. One hand should be placed on top of the chicken breast. Carefully cut the chicken breast in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Repeat.
- You can place two sheets of plastic wrap between the chicken breasts. Pound the chicken until it is very thin.
- Pound or roll the chicken with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin until it’s approximately ½ inch thick and evenly distributed. This allows for even baking.
- Make sure the baking pan is ready. Go on and add some oil with a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, and over the bottom of the pan.
- You can now place the chicken on the baking pan using tongs.
- Spread the remaining olive oil over the chicken with the pastry brush. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Bake. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches 165°F.
This recipe will become a meal staple because of the minimal equipment and ingredients required. You can try this game-changing roasted chicken approach, watch this video recipe to know how long to cook thinly sliced chicken breast.