How To Bake Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts

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Learn how to bake thin sliced chicken breasts in a couple of simple steps. These baked chicken cutlets are tender and cook quickly. Learn our easy method for simply seasoning this dinner staple.

Do you tend to steer away from baking chicken breasts because of the fear they will lack flavor and tenderness? We can all agree that we have been there a time or two, but not anymore! With our simple method for baking chicken breasts, we can all officially say goodbye to dried-out chicken!

This tutorial on How To Bake Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts will walk you through each step to creating a tender and flavor-packed chicken breast. Watch our full version video showcasing three simple chicken toppings over on our YouTube channel. Learn step by step how to use a mallet on chicken in our post, How To Pound Chicken Thin.

In under 25 minutes, you can have juicy chicken prepped, baked, and served. As a bonus, you can fully customize the flavor of the chicken depending on your family’s preferences.

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breasts ✅
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
salt and pepper

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

ingredients to make thin sliced chicken breasts

Table of Contents

How To Bake Thin Sliced Chicken Breast:

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Preheating is crucial for even cooking and achieving the desired results.

Next, prepare the chicken breasts. Start by placing them on a cutting board with the rounded side facing up. The goal is to slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise. This can be done by placing one hand on top of the chicken breast and using a sharp knife to carefully cut it into two equal halves. Repeat this process for all the chicken breasts.

Chicken breasts shown being sliced in half on top of a cutting board with a knife.

After slicing, the chicken needs to be pounded with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin thin to ensure uniform thickness. For the least amount of mess, place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Then, using a kitchen mallet or rolling pin, gently pound or roll the chicken until it reaches a thickness of about 1/2 inch. The objective is to create an even surface, allowing for consistent cooking.

FUN FACT: Pounding/rolling the chicken thin helps to tenderize the chicken while allowing for even baking.

A kitchen mallet pounding thin sliced chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap.

Next up is getting the baking pan ready. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, and using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread it evenly over the bottom of the pan. Using tongs, transfer the pounded chicken breasts onto the baking pan.

Add the remaining olive oil to the chicken, using a pastry brush to evenly spread it. Season the chicken with an ample amount of salt and pepper.

How Long To Bake Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts?

Now that the chicken breasts are prepped they are ready to bake. Bake the chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This step ensures that the chicken is thoroughly cooked, safe to eat, and retains its juiciness. Once baked, the result is tender and flavorful chicken that can be served as is or used in various recipes.

Seasoning Suggestions for Chicken Breasts

For this recipe, we season the chicken with salt and pepper. My kids love to dip their baked chicken into a variety of dipping sauces so we keep the seasoning simple. However, any dry seasoning blend can be substituted for salt and pepper for an extra burst of flavor. Customize the flavors based on what you like!

thin sliced chicken breasts on a baking pan

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Marinate the Chicken: Before slicing and pounding the chicken, consider marinating it for added flavor. You can use a simple marinade with ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, herbs, and olive oil. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.

Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

Add Seasonings: Experiment with different seasonings to add variety to your dish. You can try herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano, or use spice blends for a unique flavor profile.

Add Vegetables: Roast vegetables alongside the chicken for a one-pan meal. Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts work well and absorb the delicious juices from the chicken.

Cover with Foil: If you notice the chicken is browning too quickly on the top, you can cover it with foil for part of the cooking time. This helps to keep the chicken moist and prevents excessive browning.

Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist.

Add Fresh Herbs or Lemon Zest: Just before serving, sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or a bit of lemon zest on the chicken for a burst of freshness.

Serve with a Sauce: Elevate the dish by serving it with a complementary sauce. A simple garlic butter sauce or a light lemon herb sauce can enhance the flavors.

Double-Check Thickness: Ensure the chicken is pounded to an even thickness to promote uniform cooking. This also helps in reducing the chances of overcooking some parts while undercooking others.

FAQs:

How long to bake thin sliced chicken breast?

Thin sliced chicken breasts take 15-20 minutes to bake or until the internal temperature is 165°F. We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

Once 165°F is reached, remove from the oven immediately to prevent dry chicken. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

How to bake thin sliced chicken breast in oven?

The key to baking thin sliced chicken breast in the oven is slicing each chicken breast thin and then pounding until each piece has equal thickness. From there, all you have to do is bake the thin sliced chicken breast at 350.

What do you serve with thin sliced chicken breast?

Baked chicken breasts can be served straight from the oven and paired with any side dish. We serve baked chicken with a side salad and rolls for a complete meal. Thin sliced baked chicken breasts are also easy to slice, dice or shred to incorporate into any recipe. The versatility of baked chicken is amazing.

thin sliced chicken breasts on a plate with a fork taking a peice

Storage Instructions

Once the chicken is baked, place the cooked chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent exposure to air and potential moisture.

If you plan to freeze the cooked chicken for longer storage, wrap it securely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. Label the container with the date and use within three to four months for optimal flavor.

When thawing frozen chicken, do so in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost function on a microwave. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

More Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Recipes:

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts

Thin sliced chicken breasts are simply seasoned and sliced thin. They bake quickly for a simple and delicious dinner.

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4.11 from 87 votes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breasts ✅
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
salt and pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°. Place chicken breasts, rounded side facing up, onto a cutting board.
⭐️Slice chicken breast in half. Place one hand on top of the chicken breast. With a sharp knife, carefully cut the chicken breast in half lengthwise. Repeat.
1 pound chicken breasts
⭐️Pound the chicken thin. Place chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a kitchen mallet or rolling pin, pound or roll the chicken until it's about 1/2 inch thick and all areas are of equal thickness. This helps tenderize the chicken and allows for even baking.
Prepare the baking pan. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the baking pan. Spread over the bottom of the pan with a pastry brush or the back of a spoon. Using tongs, place chicken onto the baking pan.
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Season the chicken. Add the rest of the olive oil to the chicken using the pastry brush to spread. Season with plenty of salt and pepper.
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, salt and pepper
⭐️Bake. Bake chicken breast for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F. Serve with a side salad and rolls for a complete dinner.

Video

Notes

CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.