Explore these different methods of cooking chicken cutlets and find recipe inspiration that will satisfy the whole family!
I’ve cooked a lot of chicken because my kids and I both love it, it’s always on sale, it freezes well, and there are SO many things you can do with it. My 7-year-old daughter asked me if they made any meat besides chicken, which made me realize I needed to take a break from the chicken recipes for a while. But because everyone in my family is still a huge fan, I’ll still show you how to cook chicken cutlets.
Chicken breast cutlets are a kitchen staple for many home cooks. Their lean, versatile nature makes them an ideal ingredient for everything from quick weeknight meals to elegant dinner parties. However, achieving the perfect balance of juicy tenderness can be tricky when oven-cooking chicken breast cutlets. Undercooking leaves them dry and tough, while overcooking results in undesirably stringy meat. So how long should you cook chicken breast cutlets in the oven? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key factors that determine cooking time, provide temperature guidelines, and share tips for ensuring your chicken turns out moist and delicious every time.
What are Chicken Breast Cutlets?
Chicken breast cutlets are thin slices of chicken breast meat that are pounded until they are all the same thickness, which is about 1/2 inch. This pounding helps the cutlets cook fast and evenly. They’re also great for chicken parmesan, chicken piccata, and chicken marsala because they all have the same shape.
Cutlets can be made from boneless, skinless chicken breasts or bone-in breasts with the skin still attached. Which you choose comes down to personal preference and what the recipe calls for. Boneless cutlets will cook a little faster than bone-in.
What Determines How Long to Cook Chicken Cutlets?
Several key factors impact how long chicken cutlets need to cook in the oven
Thickness
The thickness of the cutlets is one of the biggest determinants of cooking time Thinner cutlets will cook faster than thicker pieces A good rule of thumb is
- 1⁄2 inch thick cutlets: 20-25 minutes
- 3⁄4 inch thick cutlets: 25-30 minutes
- 1 inch thick cutlets: 30-35 minutes
Oven Temperature
Higher oven temperatures will shorten the cooking time. The ideal oven temp for chicken cutlets is 375°F. This prevents overcooking while still baking the chicken at a rate fast enough to keep it moist.
Breading
Breaded cutlets take a little longer to cook than plain chicken because the coating acts as an insulator. Add 5 minutes to the cooking time if your cutlets are breaded.
Doneness
For chicken to be safe to eat, the temperature inside must reach 165°F. The safest temperature for meat is still 165°F, even if you like it a little rare. Overcooking dries out the chicken.
Step-By-Step Cooking Guidelines
Follow these steps for perfectly cooked oven baked chicken breast cutlets every time:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F.
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Pat the chicken cutlets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. You can also use garlic powder, paprika, oregano, or Italian seasoning.
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Arrange the cutlets in a single layer in a baking dish or sheet pan. Avoid overcrowding.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes for 1⁄2 inch thick unbreaded cutlets, adjusting time up or down for thicker/thinner cutlets. Add 5 minutes for breaded.
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Put an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a cutlet, being careful not to touch any bone, to check the temperature inside. It should read 165°F.
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Let the cutlets rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute so they don’t leak out when you cut into the chicken.
Helpful Tips for Moist, Juicy Chicken Breast Cutlets
Follow these extra tips for the best results:
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Pound the cutlets to an even 1⁄2 inch thickness so they cook evenly. Place between sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper before pounding.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. This causes uneven cooking and steaming instead of browning.
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Brush the cutlets with olive oil or melted butter before baking. This keeps the meat juicy and promotes browning.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness instead of relying on cook time alone. Ovens vary.
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Let the cooked cutlets rest before slicing for juicier meat.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to prevent drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m baking bone-in, skin-on cutlets?
Turn the oven up to 400°F for bone-in cutlets with the skin still on. Cook for 30-35 minutes based on thickness. The meat takes longer to cook through because the bones and skin keep it warm.
Can I freeze baked chicken breast cutlets?
Absolutely! First, let the cooked cutlets cool completely. Then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in airtight containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover cutlets?
Gently reheat leftover baked chicken cutlets in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. Microwaving can lead to dry, rubbery meat.
How can I tell when the cutlets are done without a thermometer?
Make a small cut into the thickest part of a piece of chicken. The meat should be white and opaque all the way through, with no traces of pink. The juices should run clear rather than red or pink.
Can I adjust the oven temp or cook time?
Yes, you can experiment with slightly higher or lower oven temps. Increase temp to speed cooking or decrease to prevent overcooking. Just keep an eye on doneness and adjust bake time accordingly.
Sample Recipe: Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Cutlets
To see how simple baking chicken cutlets can be, try this easy recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breast cutlets (about 1⁄2 inch thick), pounded to even thickness
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp each salt, garlic powder, dried oregano
- 1⁄4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Pat cutlets dry and brush with oil. Season both sides with spices.
- Place in a baking dish in a single layer without crowding.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
- Rest 5 minutes then serve.
Pair with rice pilaf and roasted veggies for a tasty and healthy dinner in under 30 minutes.
The Takeaway
Mastering oven-cooked chicken breast cutlets is easier than you think. Focus on 1⁄2 inch thick cutlets, a 375°F oven temp, and cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow to rest before serving for maximum juiciness. With the proper technique, you can enjoy tender, flavorful chicken cutlets any night of the week.
What Are Chicken Cutlets?
The meat from chicken breasts that has been cut down several times smaller than their original size is called chicken cutlets.
To give you an idea of what we’re talking about, there are approximately 4-5 cutlets per average chicken breast.
I buy these often — for recipes that cover everything from fajitas to chicken chow mein. “Why do I love chicken cutlets?” There are many good reasons to buy and cook chicken cutlets for dinner, and I’m happy to talk about them.
Why Are Chicken Cutlets Best?
I always choose chicken breast because it’s tasty and good for you. When a recipe calls for chicken that needs to be cut up before it’s cooked, I usually grab chicken cutlets.
First, chicken cutlets are already cut and prepped. You don’t need to do much more to get a chicken cutlet recipe ready — the fat is already trimmed, the skin is removed, and the meat is sliced to a reasonable size. This reduces the prep time significantly, making it so much easier for busy families like mine.
It also reduces the risk of contamination, as you’re not using your prep areas to cut and trim chicken. It’s easy to spread bacteria while cutting meat, so anything that can help reduce that risk is a win in my book. (Related: let me help you pick the best cutting board for raw meat.)
If you’re looking for an even thinner portion of chicken breast, chicken cutlets can be pounded flatter with a meat mallet. This helps them cook quickly and evenly, making chicken cutlets an excellent choice for quick, easy, homemade, and guilt-free dinners.