Three Delicious and Easy Thin-Sliced Chicken Breast Recipes
Chicken breast is one of the most versatile and healthy proteins to cook with, but it can also turn out bland, dry, and boring if not prepared properly. The solution? Use thinly sliced chicken breasts! These thinner cutlets cook quickly and evenly, staying tender and juicy while easily absorbing flavors from marinades, sauces, or spices.
Thin-sliced chicken breasts are also incredibly convenient. They defrost rapidly from frozen, prep quickly, and require minimal cooking time, making them an excellent choice for fast and fuss-free weeknight meals. Whether you pound thicker breasts to even thin yourself or purchase pre-sliced cutlets from the grocery store, the possibilities for creating elevated yet effortless chicken dishes are endless.
Here are three of the very best thin-sliced chicken breast recipes that showcase just how versatile and delicious this cut of poultry can be. Featuring flavors from around the globe, these recipes are sure to become new family favorites.
1. Chicken Piccata
This classic Italian dish may look and taste like an elegant restaurant-quality meal, but chicken piccata is astonishingly easy to prepare at home with thinly sliced chicken breasts. It’s a bright, lemony recipe that comes together quickly for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Chicken Piccata
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
– 4 thin-sliced chicken breasts
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
– 1/2 cup chicken stock
– 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
– 4 tbsp capers, drained
– 2 tbsp butter
– 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in the flour.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
3. Deglaze the skillet with the lemon juice, white wine, and chicken stock. Scrape up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer and reduce the liquid slightly.
4. Whisk in the butter and capers until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Return chicken and any juices to the skillet and spoon the sauce over top. Garnish with fresh parsley.
6. Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or a salad if desired.
2. Chicken Fajitas
Sizzling chicken fajitas fresh off the grill or skillet are the perfect meal for any night of the week, combining juicy sliced chicken, bell peppers, onions, and zesty Mexican flavors into a fun, healthy, and satisfying dish.
Chicken Fajitas
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
– 1 lb thin-sliced chicken breasts
– 1 packet of fajita seasoning or taco seasoning
– 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
– 1 bell pepper, sliced
– 1 red onion, sliced
– 8-10 small flour or corn tortillas
– Toppings like shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc.
Instructions:
1. Place the sliced chicken breasts in a shallow bowl or freezer bag. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and the fajita seasoning and toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
2. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell pepper and onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and charred in spots. Remove to a plate.
3. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet or grill pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly charred and cooked through.
4. Slice the chicken into strips and toss together with the peppers and onions.
5. Warm the tortillas briefly in the microwave, oven, or over the grill grates.
6. Serve the fajita chicken and veggies in the warm tortillas and allow everyone to top with their favorite fixings like cheese, salsa, guac, sour cream, etc.
3. Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Drawing inspiration from the flavorful and fragrant street foods of Southeast Asia, these Thai chicken satay skewers are a company-worthy recipe that’s still fast and simple enough for a casual weeknight dinner.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
(Serves 4)
For the Chicken:
– 1 lb thin chicken breasts, cut into 1″ pieces
– 2 tbsp coconut milk
– 1 tsp curry powder
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– Wooden or metal skewers
For the Peanut Sauce:
– 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
– 1/3 cup coconut milk
– 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
– 1-2 tbsp soy sauce
– 1-2 tsp brown sugar
– 1 tsp sesame oil
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 tsp ground ginger or 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
– Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, toss together the chicken pieces with 2 tbsp coconut milk, curry powder, cumin, and salt until well coated. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the peanut sauce by whisking together all the sauce ingredients, and adjusting soy sauce, sugar, and salt to taste. Set aside.
3. Thread the marinated chicken tightly onto skewers, folding as needed so the pieces are compact.
4. Brush chicken skewers with olive oil and grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through. Alternatively, broil or bake skewers flipping once until cooked.
5. Transfer satay skewers to a platter and serve immediately with peanut sauce for dipping, plus any additional garnishes like green onions, crushed peanuts, or lime wedges if desired.
When cooked properly, thin-sliced chicken breasts stay incredibly moist while absorbing rich flavors from sauces, spices, and rubs. From quick 30-minute meals to globally-inspired dishes, these recipes highlight just how versatile and crowd-pleasing sliced chicken breasts can be. With their tender texture, swift cooking times, and endless recipe possibilities, thinly sliced chicken breasts are a weeknight protein staple you’ll want in constant rotation.
