Thin Baked Chicken Breast Cutlets

Thin baked chicken breast is juicy, flavorful, and cooks fast for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep recipe everyone will love.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Course: Dinner Entree

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 98kcal

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 ¼ lbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
Fresh parsley for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Slice each chicken breast in half to create two thin cutlets per breast, four total. To ensure uniform pieces, slice chicken breasts horizontally and pound them between plastic wrap using a meat mallet.
Drizzle the olive oil over both sides of each cutlet and rub it in with your hands. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl, then sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of all four cutlets. Press gently so it sticks.
Arrange the cutlets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer without overlapping. Give them a little space between each piece. Bake for 12 minutes. No flipping needed. Check for doneness. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If your cutlets are slightly thicker than average, add 1 to 2 minutes. If they're very thin, check at 10 minutes.
Rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing or serving to keep the chicken juicy. Top with fresh herbs if desired before serving.

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Buy thinner chicken breasts if you can. Grocery store chicken breasts have gotten huge over the years. If yours are on the larger side, the horizontal slice might still leave you with pretty thick cutlets. Either pound them gently or add a minute or two to the bake time and use a thermometer.

Room temperature chicken bakes more evenly. Pull the chicken out of the fridge about 10 to 15 minutes before baking. It takes the chill off and helps it cook through without the outside drying out before the inside is done.

Don't open the oven. Every time you open the door you drop the temperature and throw off the timing. Set a timer and trust it.

Nutrition