What Are Chicken Cutlets, Exactly? Plus, How to Make Them From Chicken Breasts

Chicken cutlets are a versatile cut of meat, made by slicing boneless skinless chicken breasts in half horizontally. The cutlets’ thinness means that they cook quickly, in just a few minutes per side. If you’re rushing to get dinner on the table, chicken cutlets are a good option. Whether you keep them simple with a quick pan-fry or give them the crispy breaded-and-fried treatment, chicken cutlets are a crowd pleaser that goes with everything. Keep reading to learn more about chicken cutlets and how to cook and enjoy them at home.

What Are Chicken Cutlets?

Chicken cutlets are pieces of boneless skinless chicken breast, made by slicing the breast in half horizontally. The resulting cutlets are often pounded with a meat mallet to make them even thinner, which can also tenderize the meat, yielding a better texture when cooked. Slicing a chicken breast into two cutlets can also create the illusion of more meat, which can be helpful when cooking for a large group. 

Chicken cutlets cook evenly and quickly, so they’re a good protein option when you’re running low on time. One crowd-pleasing way to prepare chicken cutlets is by breading and pan-frying ‘em, but there are many ways to cook and enjoy them. 

How to Slice Chicken Breasts Into Cutlets

You may be able to buy pre-sliced and pounded chicken cutlets at the grocery store, but if not, buy boneless skinless chicken breasts and make them into cutlets yourself. Here’s how to do it:

1. If the raw chicken breast is very uneven in size, place it between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound it gently with a meat mallet to even it out before proceeding to the next step. 
2. Place the chicken breast on a clean cutting board. 
3. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice horizontally through the thickest part of the chicken breast, aiming for two even slices (cutlets). 
4. For an even thinner cutlet, place the chicken between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap again, and pound it gently with a meat mallet until it reaches your desired thickness. 
5. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts. 

How to Cook With Chicken Cutlets

Chicken cutlets cook quickly due to their thin, even size, which makes them a last-minute weeknight dinner star. To learn how to make crispy, breaded chicken cutlets, check out our step-by-step recipe. There are many ways to cook chicken cutlets, but the most basic approaches are baking, grilling, and pan-frying. For all of these approaches, make sure to season both sides of the cutlets with salt and pepper. You can also marinate the cutlets in a combination of oil, herbs, and citrus. For more on chicken marinade inspiration, like pesto, fajita-style, and cilantro-lime, click here.

To bake chicken cutlets, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the cutlets, then add them to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the cutlets, or until they’re cooked through. 

To grill chicken cutlets, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush the cutlets with oil before seasoning them with salt and pepper. Grill the cutlets for about 3 minutes per side, depending on their size, or until they’re cooked through. 

To pan-fry chicken cutlets, heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cutlets with salt and pepper, and carefully add them to the skillet, laying them away from you to prevent splatter. Cook the cutlets for about 3 minutes per side, depending on their size, or until they’re cooked through. 

The most reliable way to check if chicken is cooked, no matter how you cook it, is by testing it with a meat thermometer. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the cutlet; the chicken is cooked when it reads 165 degrees. 

Chicken Cutlet Recipes

Now that you know how to make your own chicken cutlets at home, put your knowledge to the test with these delicious chicken cutlet recipes.

Crispy Chicken Cutlets

This is the perfect recipe to learn how to bread and pan-fry crispy, golden chicken cutlets. They’re the adult version of chicken tenders, and once you know how to make them, they’ll likely become part of your regular meal rotation. 

Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Mango Chutney Slaw

Here, chicken cutlets get breaded in a combination of panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) and shredded coconut for a tropical twist. Served with a colorful, zesty slaw, this meal is both craveable and healthy. 

Almond-Crusted Chicken With Arugula Salad

This almond-crusted chicken is the answer for gluten-free folks who love a chicken cutlet. The breading consists of almond flour, sesame seeds, and seasoning, and when pan-fried, that becomes a crispy crust. A simple arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil balances out the rich, juicy chicken. 

Crispy Chicken Cutlets With Artichoke Dressing

Thanks to quick-cooking chicken cutlets and a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, this satisfying recipe comes together in no time. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra dose of brightness. 

Chicken Paillard

Chicken paillard is simply the French term for a chicken cutlet, pounded to tenderize the meat and cooked quickly in a skillet. It’s a blank canvas that goes well with many salads and vegetable sides, like this Spring Green Salad or this Summer Squash With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley.