If the thought of rubbing chicken cutlets with mayo before grilling them makes you feel bad, I understand. I did too until I tried it. Now I use mayonnaise as the base for nearly every marinade I use, whether I’m cooking on the grill or in a cast-iron skillet indoors. The magic of mayo is that it helps your other marinade ingredients spread evenly across the surface of the meat, delivering more consistent flavor, while improving browning. (Don’t worry, the cooked meat doesn’t taste like mayo. In this recipe, that means chicken cutlets that brown and cook all the way through in four minutes. A drizzle of fresh chimichurri sauce after grilling brings out the deep flavor. This recipe will work with nearly any marinade, exactly as written: You could use pesto, salsa verde, bottled barbecue sauce, jarred Thai curry paste, teriyaki sauce or mole, all with equal success.
Chicken breast cutlets are a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious grilled chicken. But getting the timing right can be tricky. Undercook them and you risk foodborne illness. Overcook them and you’re left with dry, tough meat. So how long should you grill chicken breast cutlets for optimal flavor and texture? Let’s break it down.
What Are Chicken Breast Cutlets?
Chicken breast cutlets are thin slices that are cut across the breast of a chicken. They are typically boneless and skinless. Cutlets cook faster than whole chicken breasts since they are not as thick. Their uniform thickness also promotes even cooking.
Cutlets can be prepared plain, breaded, stuffed, or marinated. They can be used for many different foods, like sandwiches, salads, main courses, and more. By understanding the features of cutlets, you can make the most of their ability to cook quickly.
Why Cutlets Cook Faster Than Whole Breasts
There are two main reasons why cutlets cook more quickly than regular chicken breasts:
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Increased Surface Area – When you slice a breast horizontally into cutlets you greatly expand the surface area. This exposes more of the meat to direct heat during grilling.
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Decreased Thickness – Cutlets are pounded to a thinner, more uniform thickness. Heat penetrates thin meat faster than thick pieces.
So with a larger surface area and decreased thickness, cutlets grill up with a fraction of the time needed for whole chicken breasts This makes them a great choice for speedy weeknight meals
Proper Preparation for Grilling Cutlets
It’s important to properly prepare cutlets before grilling them if you want them to cook quickly while still staying juicy and flavorful. Here are some tips:
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Pound to Even Thickness – Place cutlets between plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to gently pound to an even thickness. This promotes even cooking.
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Marinate for Flavor – Cutlets benefit greatly from marination. The thin cuts absorb flavors well. Try olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and spices.
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Pat Dry Before Grilling – Blot cutlets with paper towels before grilling. Excess marinade can cause flare-ups.
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Allow to Come to Room Temp – Do not grill straight from the fridge! Let cutlets sit out for 15-20 minutes first for better cooking.
Following these preparatory steps sets you up for grilling success. Now let’s look at determining the ideal cook times.
Recommended Grill Times for Chicken Breast Cutlets
The grill times below will yield cutlets that are cooked through but still juicy:
- 1/2 inch thick cutlets – 4 to 5 minutes per side
- 3/4 inch thick cutlets – 6 to 7 minutes per side
- 1 inch thick cutlets – 8 to 10 minutes per side
The times above are for cutlets grilled over direct medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F. Adjust times as needed for lower or higher temperatures. You may need to extend the times for very thick cutlets. Always rely on a thermometer for doneness.
Internal Temperature – The Foolproof Method
While the times above provide a general guideline, the only way to guarantee safely cooked cutlets is to use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any potential bacteria.
To check for doneness, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a cutlet, avoiding any bones. Let it sit for 15 seconds to get an accurate reading. This handheld tool takes the guesswork out of determining when your chicken is fully cooked.
Other Factors That Affect Cook Times
Several other variables can impact just how long you need to grill those cutlets:
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Marinades – Acidic marinades used for flavor can slightly extend cook times.
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Breading – Breaded cutlets take a few extra minutes due to the coating.
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Grill Temperature – Hotter grills shorten cooking duration. Cooler temps increase it.
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Cutlet Starting Temp – Colder cutlets straight from the fridge will need longer.
If you pay attention to all of these things, you’ll be able to find the best times to grill your cutlets.
Tips for Keeping Cutlets Juicy
Chicken breast cutlets can quickly go from succulent to dry and overcooked. Use these pro tips to maintain moisture:
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Allow cutlets to rest for 5 minutes after grilling before cutting or serving. This helps retain juices.
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Resist the urge to flip cutlets more than once or twice. Frequent flipping accelerates moisture loss.
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Apply sauce or seasoning right before serving rather than during grilling. This avoids burning.
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Pull cutlets at 160°F internal temp. Carryover cooking will finish them.
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Arrange cutlets so they are not crammed together. Even heat exposure prevents drying.
Putting It All Together
The right preparation, proper cooking times, monitoring temperature, and employing a few juicy-enhancing tricks results in grilled chicken breast cutlets that are cooked through, flavorsome, and tender every time. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F and adjust your grilling times based on thickness. In about 10-15 minutes total you can have a healthy, delicious meal hot off the grill!
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Question about the mayo searing. If you are going to sous vide, do you put the mayo on the meat before or after the sous vide?.
Adding 1 tablespoon of garlic paste and 1 tablespoon of mushroom powder to 1/4 cup of mayo is a great way to change things up. Its amazing on almost any meat or fish. When a grill is not available it makes 6oz filet mingon steaks done in my cast iron skillet come out perfectly medium rare, with a beautiful and delicious note of crust that doesnt require overcooking.
Ok now the whole nation is going to be cooking with mayo 🙂 If you like Indian flavors, it can get even simpler. Buy masala from any Indian store (I prefer one of the the Shaan kabab mixes for this). Mix the masala with mayo (adjust based on preferred spice level), slather it on the meat and bake. This works best for thinner portions of meat. Lamb or goat chops work well. Use a thermometer to control doneness. You can throw in some veggies into the pan as well. Elegant family dinner in 20.
Not a good recipe unfortunately. Chimichurri recipe itself is odd with way too much oregano. It made a lot of smoke when it was cooked in a cast iron pan. I should have known that the mayo would do that. Had to finish in the oven because the chicken wasn’t fully cooked after going through the fire.
Excellent recipe! However I made a chimichurri using parsley and cilantro, as I’m not a big fan of oregano. Came out fantastic.
I love the mayo tip – it makes so much sense! I’ve mixed many other flavours in for other dishes and it really works as a great medium to carry flavour as well as an ideal fat to fry/cook inPrivate comments are only visible to you.
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FAQ
How long do chicken cutlets take to grill?
Place chicken breasts, smooth-side down on preheated grill; cook, covered, until no longer pink and juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side. May 2, 2025.
How long does it take to grill thinly sliced chicken breast?
How Long to Grill Chicken Breast. Grilling time depends on the thickness of the chicken. For thin-sliced chicken breasts or cutlets, grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side over medium-high heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Thicker breasts may take 5 to 7 minutes per side.
Is it better to grill chicken at 350 or 400?
The ideal grill temperature range for chicken is between 350 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is narrowed down by whether you’re grilling chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. Oct 1, 2024.
How long does it take to grill chicken cutlets?
The even thickness of cutlets requires very little cooking time, so you can get dinner cooked and on the table in less than half an hour. Chicken cutlets are boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces with even thickness throughout, making them well-suited for grilling.
Are chicken cutlets suitable for grilling?
Chicken cutlets are boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces with even thickness throughout, making them well-suited for grilling. The even thickness of cutlets requires very little cooking time, so you can get dinner cooked and on the table in less than half an hour.
How long does it take to cook chicken cutlets?
Due to their even thickness, chicken cutlets require very little cooking time. You can have dinner ready and on the table in less than half an hour. Season your cutlets with light salt and pepper for a quick protein addition to your salad, or create a marinade with Asian- or Latin American-inspired ingredients for an international main dish.
How long do you cook chicken on a grill?
Place chicken directly over the hot side of the grill, cover, and cook, rotating the pieces occasionally (but not flipping them), until the chicken is almost completely cooked through and only a few pink spots remain on the top side, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken and cook on second side until just done, about 30 seconds.
How do you cook a boneless chicken breast?
Place a boneless, skinless chicken breast between two pieces of plastic cling wrap. Pound it to an even thickness with a meat mallet. You can then grill your chicken cutlets with light salt and pepper or make a marinade with Asian- or Latin American-inspired ingredients.
How long does it take to cook Big Fat Chicken?
Big fat chicken breasts take a good 15 minutes to cook, even if you pound them relatively flat, as we recommend in our guide to grilling boneless, skinless chicken breasts.