Thinly sliced chicken breasts recipes are an easy and efficient way to get a protein on the dinner table in no time. In this recipe round up, I found 25 tasty recipes for thinly sliced chicken breasts to help you stay ahead of the dinner rush!.
Sometimes it seems impossible to get dinner on the table on time, that’s why it’s helpful to have a bunch of quick and tasty recipes on hand!
Foods that are frozen, canned, or chopped can save you a lot of time when cooking. But proteins may be harder for you. Buying proteins that are already cooked is one way to save time, but you can also cut down on cooking time by thinly slicing the proteins you have on hand.
For example, thinly sliced chicken is a fridge and freezer staple for me because it’s a lean protein that can be used in a variety of ways and that cooks fairly quickly. This is what I reach for when I’m short on time, which is pretty much all the time!
To help you save time, I scoured the internet for 25 recipes that use thinly sliced chicken and then categorized them based on flavor: every day flavors, Italian flavors, soy flavors, and some that are slightly spicy.
If you need thinly sliced chicken that can pair with just about any recipe, here are 10 ways that you can prep your thin chicken pieces to serve with your sides of choice:
Air fried to golden perfection, this every day chicken breast is thinly sliced and coated in spices and a brown sugar with corn starch mixture for delicious flavor.
Get dinner on the table in under 15 minutes with these easy, stove top garlic butter chicken tenderloins.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can have these baked chicken tenderloins parmesan on the table for a family friendly dinner..
Coated in a simple breading, these air fryer breaded chicken tenders are perfect for wraps, salads, and serving to hungry kids!
Full of lemon and garlic flavor, these chicken tenders pair nicely with rice, salads, and pastas!
A mix of Panko and Pecorino Romano result in a perfectly crispy and golden exterior to this flavorful and juicy chicken cutlet.
Baked, not fried, this juicy parmesan crusted chicken comes together quickly and is perfect to eat on its own or in a sandwich.
This blackened chicken is keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo and is a great addition to a balanced meal.
These easy to make and perfectly baked crispy chicken cutlets are a dinner that the entire family will enjoy.
This oven baked chicken breast recipe is a quick and easy way to get a flavor filled protein on the table in no time.
Full of fresh Italian flavors, this bruschetta chicken is topping with a delicious tomato-basil mixture and will be on your dinner table in 30 minutes.
These air fryer Italian chicken cutlets come together in a flash and pair perfectly with simple side dishes or placed on a pasta.
Smothered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach tuscan sauce, these chicken tenders are full of flavors a pair well with your favorite sides.
These baked chicken tenders have a quick 5 minute prep time and are so easy, even a beginner cook can make them!
Baked, not fried, these crispy Italian chicken cutlets are full of flavor and will not disappoint!
These chicken tenderloins are covered in a delicious honey soy sauce and taste as delicious as they look!
These flavor filled chicken tenders come together in 20-minutes and are made in just one pan!
Make the perfect game-day snack or delicious dinner with these chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy sauce!
This thinly sliced chicken breast recipe is baked to perfection and covered in a zesty honey soy sauce that your entire family will love.
Looking to turn up the heat? Switching out condiments, toppings, and dips is an easy way to add some spice to your thinly sliced chicken recipes. Here are 5 recipe ideas that feature slightly spicy chicken you may enjoy:
Whether you serve them as an appetizer or make them a meal, these slightly spicy buffalo chicken tenders are guaranteed to impress!
If you’re looking for an extra crunch, these thinly sliced chicken breasts are coated in buttermilk and hot sauce then deep fried to deliciousness!
You can pair these chicken strips with dips like guacamole and salsa or chop them and add them a taco salad or bowl!
These chicken tenders are seasoned with a Korean chile flakes blend bringing your chicken from boring to bursting with flavor.
Full of citrus and chipotle flavors, these grilled chicken tenders feature a sweet heat that pairs nicely with a spicy slaw.
There you have 25 delicious ways to cook with thinly sliced chicken breast! Whether you use chicken tenderloins or butterfly your chicken breasts into thin chicken cutlets, these chicken recipes are a quick and easy way to get a tasty protein on the dinner table in no time!
A lot of people who are trying to lose weight or keep it off eat chicken breast every day. Because it has lean protein, it’s great for building muscle and keeping calories in check. But there are so many cuts that it can be hard to figure out how many calories are in something, especially thinly sliced chicken breast. This popular ingredient has a lot of calories. Keep reading to find out why it should be on your plate.
What is Thin Sliced Chicken Breast?
Thin sliced chicken breast refers to boneless, skinless breast meat that has been sliced thinly, usually about 1⁄4 inch thick It comes from the same cut as a regular chicken breast, just portioned differently.
The meat cooks faster because it has more surface area when it is sliced thinly. The thin slices also absorb flavors and marinades easily. Because they are easy to make, they are great for quick meals during the week, meal planning, or even bringing lunch to work.
Nutritional Profile of Thin Sliced Chicken Breast
Here is the nutritional breakdown for a 3-ounce serving of thin sliced chicken breast:
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 22 grams
- Fat: 2 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
As you can see, thin sliced chicken breast is low in fat, carbs, and calories. But it really shines in its high protein content. Per serving, you get about 22 grams of protein for only 100 calories. This makes it an optimal choice for building lean muscle mass.
The protein also promotes satiety so you feel fuller longer after eating it. This can help with managing hunger and overall calorie intake throughout the day.
How Cooking Method Affects Calories
It is important to know that the way chicken breast is cooked has a big effect on how many calories it has. Here’s how:
- Grilling: Allows fat to drip away, keeping calories lower.
- Frying/sautéing in oil: Adds a lot of fat and drives up calories.
- Baking: Keeps calories lower than frying methods.
- Boiling: Helps reduce calories but can make the meat bland.
For the lowest calorie prep, opt for grilling, baking, or boiling. Avoid adding extra oils or frying to prevent excessive calories.
Health Benefits of Thin Sliced Chicken Breast
Beyond its stellar nutrition stats, thin sliced chicken breast offers additional perks:
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Builds Muscle: The high protein content helps repair and build muscle tissue. Great for active lifestyles.
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Promotes Satiety: More protein means feeling fuller longer and less likely to overeat.
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Supports Weight Loss: Fewer calories plus satiety makes it perfect for managing weight.
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Easy to Cook: Cooks faster than whole breasts. Great for meal prepping!
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Absorbs Flavor: Thin slices infuse marinades for more flavor.
With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why thin sliced chicken is a smart choice.
Serving Size Matters
When eating thin sliced chicken breast, proper portion control is essential for managing calories. The recommended serving size is 3 ounces or about the size of a deck of cards.
It’s easy to miscalculate and eat more, so be mindful of:
- Weighing meat with a food scale
- Using visual portion guides
- Controlling portions when dining out
Sticking to proper serving sizes will help keep calories in check.
Thin Sliced Chicken for Weight Loss
Due to its stellar nutrition stats, thin sliced chicken breast can support weight loss efforts:
- Low calorie count per serving
- High protein keeps you feeling fuller longer
- More protein may reduce overall calories eaten
- Easy to incorporate into many types of diets
By enjoying it in moderation as part of balanced, reduced-calorie diet, thin sliced chicken can help you shed unwanted pounds.
Creative Ways to Cook Thin Sliced Chicken
The versatility of thin sliced chicken allows for endless tasty preparations:
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Stir Fry: Toss with veggies and teriyaki sauce for a quick dinner.
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Salads: Top leafy greens with grilled slices and fresh toppings.
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Wraps: Stuff in whole wheat wraps with veggies and hummus.
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Tacos: Season slices for flavorful protein taco filling.
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Flatbreads: Add to flatbread pizzas along with veggies and sauce.
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Grain Bowls: Place over quinoa or rice bowls with greens and avocado.
With so many options, you can enjoy thin sliced chicken breast without getting bored!
Pairing Foods for More Nutrition
While the calories in thin sliced chicken are slim, pairing it with other nourishing foods can provide a nutrient boost:
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Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, kale – add vitamins.
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Whole Grains: Brown rice, quinoa – provide satiating fiber.
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Healthy Fats: Nuts, seeds, avocado – improve absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
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Fresh Herbs/Spices: Boost flavor without excess salt or calories.
Building balanced plates around this lean protein is the way to go.
Skinless vs. Skin-On Chicken Breasts
Opting for skinless over skin-on chicken breast is the better choice if you’re aiming to control calories:
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Skinless has around 100 calories per 3-ounce serving
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Skin-on has more fat and calories due to the skin
While the skin does provide some flavor, its extra fat and calories outweigh the benefits when trying to maintain a reduced-calorie diet. Go skinless for the win!
The Role of Sodium
When purchasing thin sliced chicken breast, keep sodium levels in mind:
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Thin sliced chicken contains around 60mg sodium per serving
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This is relatively low compared to processed meat products
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Sodium enhances flavor but excess intake poses health risks
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Look for “no added salt” options or control seasoning yourself
Being mindful of sodium allows you to boost flavor while optimizing health.
Meal Prep Ideas with Thin Sliced Chicken
Thanks to quick cooking times, thin sliced chicken breast works wonderfully for meal prepping:
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Cook a batch at the start of the week
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Add to salads, grain bowls, soups
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Store in airtight containers or freezer bags
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Defrost overnight in fridge before using
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Label bags with dates and contents
Having prepped thin sliced chicken on hand makes assembling healthy meals a breeze when time is tight!
The Takeaway on Calories in Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts
When it comes to calories in thin sliced chicken breast per serving, you can expect about 100 in a 3-ounce portion. This makes it ideal for controlling calories and protein intake. Additionally, its stellar nutritional profile and versatility cement it as a diet all-star.
Just be mindful of sodium, cooking methods and proper portions. By enjoying thin sliced chicken as part of balanced meals, you can satisfy cravings while supporting your health and wellness goals. It provides a lean protein foundation that’s simple, nourishing and delicious!
What is thinly sliced chicken and why cook with it?
Thinly sliced chicken is simply chicken that has been cut into smaller pieces. People usually buy thinly sliced chicken from the store in the form of chicken breasts or tenderloins. You also have the option to buy whole chicken breasts that you can butterfly or thin slice once you get home!.
Some of the reasons I recommend cooking with with thinly sliced chicken include:
- Different thicknesses of chicken can make cooking times shorter. Thinly sliced chicken can be baked all the way through in 25 to 40 minutes. Always check with a food thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees!
- More even cooking: No longer will some of your baked chicken be bone dry while other parts are barely cooked at all. Putting your chicken into thinner pieces helps it cook more evenly, but you can also pound it down with a mallet to make all of the pieces shape together even more.
- More chicken! Cut three breasts in half to get six servings. Now that’s a cheap way to feed your family healthy food.
Sides for thinly sliced chicken recipes:
One of the best reasons to cook chicken in general, beyond its lean protein and nutritional profile, is that chicken plates well with a variety of sides from pasta salads, rice, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and more!.
Here are a few side dishes that you could pair with your chicken including hot honey brussels sprouts, zesty Italian pasta salad, spicy cucumbers, edamame and bean salad, Tex-Mex salad, and mediterranean rice pilaf!.
1) Thinly sliced chicken breast recipes for every day:
If you need thinly sliced chicken that can pair with just about any recipe, here are 10 ways that you can prep your thin chicken pieces to serve with your sides of choice:
Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe by Pinch of Yum
Air fried to golden perfection, this every day chicken breast is thinly sliced and coated in spices and a brown sugar with corn starch mixture for delicious flavor.
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenderloins by Key to my Lime
Get dinner on the table in under 15 minutes with these easy, stove top garlic butter chicken tenderloins.
Baked Chicken Tenderloin Parmesan by Skinny Taste
These chicken tenderloins parmesan can be made with just a few easy-to-find items. They make a great dinner for the whole family.
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders by Project Meal Plan
These air fryer breaded chicken tenders have a simple coating that makes them great for wraps, salads, and feeding hungry kids!
Lemon Butter Chicken Tenders by Cooking Classy
Full of lemon and garlic flavor, these chicken tenders pair nicely with rice, salads, and pastas!
The Best Chicken Cutlets Recipe by Food Network
A mix of Panko and Pecorino Romano result in a perfectly crispy and golden exterior to this flavorful and juicy chicken cutlet.
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken by Spend with Pennies
Baked, not fried, this juicy parmesan crusted chicken comes together quickly and is perfect to eat on its own or in a sandwich.
Blackened Chicken Cutlets by Pressure Luck Cooking
This blackened chicken is keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo and is a great addition to a balanced meal.
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets by Healthy Fitness Meals
These easy to make and perfectly baked crispy chicken cutlets are a dinner that the entire family will enjoy.
Oven Baked Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts by Momma Fit Lyndsey
This oven baked chicken breast recipe is a quick and easy way to get a flavor filled protein on the table in no time.
2) Italian inspired recipes for thinly sliced chicken:
Bruschetta Chicken by Nourish and Fete
Full of fresh Italian flavors, this bruschetta chicken is topping with a delicious tomato-basil mixture and will be on your dinner table in 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Italian Chicken Cutlets by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
These air fryer Italian chicken cutlets come together in a flash and pair perfectly with simple side dishes or placed on a pasta.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken by Salt and Baker
Smothered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach tuscan sauce, these chicken tenders are full of flavors a pair well with your favorite sides.
Baked Pesto Chicken Tenders by 5 Dinners 1 Hour
These baked chicken tenders have a quick 5 minute prep time and are so easy, even a beginner cook can make them!
Crispy Baked Chicken Cutlets, Italian-Style by Mangia with Michele
Baked, not fried, these crispy Italian chicken cutlets are full of flavor and will not disappoint!
3) Thin chicken breast recipes with soy:
Honey Soy Chicken Tenderloins by Allie Carte Dishes
These chicken tenderloins are covered in a delicious honey soy sauce and taste as delicious as they look!
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders by Little Sunny Kitchen
These flavor filled chicken tenders come together in 20-minutes and are made in just one pan!
Honey-Gochujang Fried Chicken Tenders by The Kitchn
Make the perfect game-day snack or delicious dinner with these chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy sauce!
Zesty Honey Soy Baked Chicken by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
This thinly sliced chicken breast recipe is baked to perfection and covered in a zesty honey soy sauce that your entire family will love.
Asian Lemon Chicken Tenders by Damn Delicious
A lemon glaze adds a fun twist to your favorite chicken tenders.
4) Sort of spicy thinly sliced chicken breast recipes:
Looking to turn up the heat? Switching out condiments, toppings, and dips is an easy way to add some spice to your thinly sliced chicken recipes. Here are 5 recipe ideas that feature slightly spicy chicken you may enjoy:
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders by This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Whether you serve them as an appetizer or make them a meal, these slightly spicy buffalo chicken tenders are guaranteed to impress!
Spicy Chicken Tenders by Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
If you’re looking for an extra crunch, these thinly sliced chicken breasts are coated in buttermilk and hot sauce then deep fried to deliciousness!
Tex-Mex Chicken Strips by Taste of Home
You can pair these chicken strips with dips like guacamole and salsa or chop them and add them a taco salad or bowl!
Gochugaru Chicken Tenders by Feeding the Frasers
These chicken tenders are seasoned with a Korean chile flakes blend bringing your chicken from boring to bursting with flavor.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Tenders by Saving Room for Dessert
Full of citrus and chipotle flavors, these grilled chicken tenders feature a sweet heat that pairs nicely with a spicy slaw.
There you have 25 delicious ways to cook with thinly sliced chicken breast! Whether you use chicken tenderloins or butterfly your chicken breasts into thin chicken cutlets, these chicken recipes are a quick and easy way to get a tasty protein on the dinner table in no time!
How Many Calories Are in Chicken Breast
FAQ
How many calories are in 1 thin sliced chicken breast?
A single thin-sliced chicken breast (approximately 4 oz or 112g) typically contains between 110 and 130 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the brand and specific cut of the chicken breast.
What does 4 oz of sliced chicken breast look like?
Four-ounce chicken breasts are about the size of your palm without the fingers. 2 oz is obviously half of that but 2 oz is hardly enough of a serving anyways.
What do 100 calories of chicken breast look like?
100 calories = 2 ⅓ oz or ⅓ average piece chicken breast Even a lean cut of meat like chicken is still calorie dense.
How much chicken breast is 200 calories?