Flat Chicken is a thin, crispy chicken cutlet that is great on its own or in a lot of different recipes. It is rolled in Parmesan cheese and a secret ingredient that gives it the best flavor.
Chicken cutlets are such a universal “ingredient” to have on hand! Eat them with a squeeze of lemon or use them to make other recipes like these Bang Bang Chicken Sliders or make a sheet pan Chicken Parmesan!.
Flattening chicken breasts is an easy kitchen skill that can take your chicken recipes from dry and unevenly cooked to juicy, tender and full of flavor. While whole chicken breasts may seem easier, pounding them flat makes a world of difference in the final texture and ensures they cook evenly.
Whether you’re making chicken cutlets, stuffed chicken breasts, or just want a quick weeknight dinner, learning how to flatten chicken is a must for any home cook. This simple technique only takes a minute and opens up a whole new world of chicken possibilities.
Why Flattening Chicken Breasts is a Game Changer
One end of a chicken breast is thicker than the other, so the thickness is not even. When cooked the way it is, the thin end will dry out and be done before the thick end is. No bueno.
This problem can be fixed by pounding them to the same thickness. This will make the chicken moist and cooked all the way through. But it also does so much more:
- Cooks faster – Thinner chicken cooks more quickly, perfect for busy weeknights.
- More tender – Flattening chicken literally breaks down tough muscle fibers.
- More flavors – When pounded thin, chicken soaks up marinades for added flavor.
- More options – Flattened chicken works for cutlets, rolls, stuffed breasts, and more.
- Saves money – Buying whole breasts and pounding yourself is cheaper than buying thin cutlets.
Once you realize how easy it is to DIY, you’ll never buy pre-pounded chicken again!
Step-By-Step Instructions for Flattening Chicken Breasts
It’s easy to flatten chicken with just a sharp knife, some plastic wrap, and a meat mallet or rolling pin. Here’s how to do it:
What You Need
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Plastic wrap
- Meat mallet or rolling pin
- Chicken breasts
Step 1: Trim Excess Fat and Skin
Place chicken breast on a cutting board. Use the knife to remove any excess fat or skin.
Step 2: Butterfly the Chicken Breast
Place chicken smooth side down. Slice horizontally through the thickest part of the breast, stopping about 1/2 inch from the opposite side.
Open up the breast like a book to expose the inside. You can either leave it connected like a butterfly, or cut all the way through to separate into two thin cutlets.
Step 3: Cover with Plastic Wrap
Lay a large piece of plastic wrap over the chicken breast, pressing it lightly to adhere. This keeps raw chicken contained while pounding.
Step 4: Pound the Chicken
Use even, gentle pressure to pound the chicken from the center outward until it has a uniform thickness, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
Step 5: Cook as Desired
Remove the plastic and your chicken is ready for all kinds of recipes, from chicken parmesan to stuffed chicken cordon bleu!
Pro Tip
For batch cooking, pound chicken between sheets of plastic cut from a large freezer bag instead of plastic wrap. Much easier!
When Should You Flatten Chicken Breasts?
You may be wondering if you should pound chicken breasts before or after marinating Here are some guidelines
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Before marinating – Pound chicken before marinating when using a quick marinade for 30 minutes or less. The thin cutlets will soak up more flavor.
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After marinating – If marinating for several hours or overnight, pound chicken afterward so the marinade can first penetrate the thicker breast.
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Before breading – Always flatten chicken before breading to ensure the coating adheres evenly.
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Before stuffing – Pound before stuffing to create an even thickness for rolling stuffed chicken breasts.
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Before freezing – Flattening chicken before freezing individual portions means they thaw quickly and are ready to cook anytime.
Handy Tools for Flattening Chicken Breasts
While a meat mallet is the classic tool for pounding chicken, don’t worry if you don’t have one A rolling pin, skillet, or even a heavy can also work in a pinch!
Meat Mallet
A meat mallet with a textured pounding surface helps tenderize chicken and speeds up flattening. Look for one that feels solidly constructed yet comfortable to grip.
Rolling Pin
A basic rolling pin can stand in for a mallet. Opt for a small-diameter wood or marble style without handles, which provides more control.
Skillet
A cast iron or other heavy skillet makes an impromptu meat pounder. Just cover chicken with plastic and gently pound away with the bottom of the pan.
Can of Beans
When you’re really in a bind, use an unopened can of beans or tomatoes. Carefully pound the chicken to avoid dents in the can.
Recipe Ideas for Flattened Chicken Breasts
Ready to put your new chicken flattening skills to work? Here are some delicious recipes to try:
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Chicken Parmesan – The Italian-American classic! Bread flattened chicken cutlets and smother with tomato sauce and melted cheese.
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Chicken Francese – Dredge pounded chicken in egg and lemon juice then saute for a bright, elegant dish.
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Chicken Cordon Bleu – Stuff flattened chicken breast with ham and cheese before breading and baking.
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Chicken Saltimbocca – Top chicken cutlets with prosciutto and sage then saute in white wine sauce.
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Chicken Piccata – Saute breaded cutlets and serve topped with a pan sauce of lemon, butter and capers.
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Chicken Fajitas – Pound chicken, marinate in southwest spices and grill for easy fajitas.
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Chicken Caesar Salad – Grill flattened chicken and slice over romaine lettuce for a protein-packed salad.
Once you realize how quick and easy it is to DIY flattened chicken breasts, you’ll find endless ways to use them! It takes chicken from dry and boring to succulent and full of flavor.
Flattening chicken breasts before cooking is a game-changing skill every home cook should have. With just a few minutes and basic tools, you can transform uneven chicken into an even thickness for foolproof cooking. Try this simple technique and say goodbye to dry, overcooked chicken forever!
What Is Flat Chicken?
The name “Flat Chicken” pretty much says it all. When our boys were little, they used to call these breaded chicken wings “Flat Chicken,” and the name stuck. Thin, crispy chicken cutlets that are breaded with equal parts of panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. These chicken cutlets have one secret ingredient that really makes the flavor pop!.
Use Flat Chicken to make sandwiches, cut up and toss in salads, make a quick chicken parmesan or my favorite, Chicken Milanese. Of course you can eat these chicken cutlets as is, with a squeeze of lemon or dip into your favorite dipping sauce!.
What’s The Secret Ingredient In Flat Chicken???
Nothing crazy, just a simple little spice. Ground nutmeg. That’s right, my friends, nutmeg isn’t just for baking. Adding ground nutmeg to these chicken cutlets just gives it that extra depth of flavor that you can’t really put your finger on, but you know it just tastes delicious.
Whole wheat panko bread crumbs are another thing we like to use to make these breaded chicken breasts taste their best. You can, of course use regular panko for this recipe but whole wheat bread crumbs give another depth of flavor and a wonderful dark brown color to the cutlets.
There is no other breaded chicken cutlet that tastes better or is as crispy as these will be!
How to Flatten Chicken Breasts
FAQ
Can I flatten chicken breast with a rolling pin?
You can use anything sturdy and unbreakable to pound chicken breasts. This is what a meat mallet is for; use the flat side instead of the side with points, which will make the texture bumpy. A rolling pin is also a perfect pounding tool, as is a small, heavy skillet.
Should you flatten chicken breast before marinating?
Prep the chicken for the marinade. This marinade works well for all pieces — breast, thighs, or drumsticks — but my favorite trick for grilled chicken breast is to flatten it slightly for more even cooking. In a separate zip-top bag, pound breasts using a mallet before adding to the marinade.
How do you flatten a chicken breast?
First, use a heavy object, like a pan, meat cleaver, or rolling pin, to make the chicken breast as flat as possible. It should be under half an inch (1 cm) thick. Tip: You can use an empty bottle as a makeshift rolling pin. Remove the first layer of cling film/saran wrap and place the filling on top of the chicken breast.
Does flattening chicken breast make it tender?
By breaking down the muscle fibers, flattening chicken breast makes it tender. This makes the chicken softer and easier to chew. It’s no wonder chicken paillard and cutlets always taste so much more tender than whole breasts.
How do you pound Chicken Flat?
Pound the chicken thin. Pound with the flat side of a meat mallet, rolling pin, or small skillet to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Set the flattened chicken breast aside and repeat with remaining breasts. Learn how and when you should pound your chicken flat and even in a smartest, easiest way.