How to Cook Thin Sliced Perdue Chicken Breasts Perfectly Every Time

Thin sliced chicken breasts can be tricky to cook just right Undercook them and they’ll be dry and stringy. Overcook them and they’ll be tough and flavorless. However, with the right techniques, thin sliced Perdue chicken breasts can turn out juicy, tender and delicious every time

Perdue is one of the most popular brands of chicken in the United States Their thin sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a kitchen staple for many home cooks and chefs Here’s a complete guide on how to cook this versatile ingredient to perfection.

Choosing the Right Thin Sliced Perdue Chicken Breasts

Perdue offers their boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a few different cuts:

• Whole chicken breasts
• Chicken cutlets
• Thin sliced chicken breasts

For this cooking guide, we’ll be focusing specifically on Perdue’s thin sliced chicken breasts. These breasts come individually packaged in resealable trays. Each tray contains approximately 1 pound of thin sliced chicken.

The thin slices make these chicken breasts perfect for quick cooking. The thin cuts allow the chicken to cook through quickly and absorb flavors easily. Thicker whole chicken breasts can take almost twice as long to cook.

When purchasing thin sliced Perdue chicken at the grocery store, look for packages that still have the cold chain intact. The chicken should be chilled, not frozen. Make sure the sell-by date is at least a few days out. Once home, store the chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator if not using right away.

Prepping Thin Sliced Perdue Chicken Breasts

Before cooking, the thin sliced chicken breasts need some minimal prep:

• Rinse the chicken under cold water – This removes any lingering blood or juices from processing. Be sure to pat the chicken dry with paper towels afterwards.

• Trim any uneven edges – The edges of the slices can be a bit irregular. Trim them to an even shape and size to ensure even cooking.

• Pound to an even thickness – Place each chicken slice between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound to an even 1/4-inch thickness.

• Season as desired – Perdue chicken breasts have a mild flavor that takes well to all kinds of seasonings. Try herb rubs, lemon pepper, Italian dressing marinades, or just salt and pepper.

That’s all the prep needed for these thin cut chicken breasts before cooking. Now let’s look at some cooking methods.

Cooking Methods for Thin Sliced Perdue Chicken

There are several easy ways to cook boneless, skinless thin sliced chicken breasts while keeping them tender and juicy:

Pan Searing

Pan searing chicken in a bit of oil creates a nice browned exterior while cooking the inside gently. To pan sear thin sliced Perdue chicken:

• Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat
• Add chicken slices in a single layer
• Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown
• Reduce heat if browning too quickly
• Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Grilling

The hot, dry heat of the grill also browns the outside nicely. For grilled thin sliced chicken breasts:

• Preheat grill to medium heat
• Lightly oil grates to prevent sticking
• Grill chicken slices 4-5 minutes per side
• Move to cooler part of grill if browning too fast
• Grill until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Baking

For an easy hands-off method, baked chicken stays juicy and tender:

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Arrange chicken slices on a baking sheet
• Bake 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Air Frying

Air frying cooks the chicken slices fast with crispy edges:

• Preheat air fryer to 380°F
• Spray basket lightly with oil
• Air fry thin chicken slices 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway
• Air fry until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Poaching

For ultra tender slices, try poaching:

• Bring a pot of water to a bare simmer
• Add chicken slices and poach 8-10 minutes until cooked through
• Internal temperature should reach 165°F
• Drain and use chicken as needed

No matter which cooking method you use, always rely on an instant read thermometer to determine doneness. Chicken is safely cooked once the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165°F.

If the chicken seems to be over-browning on the outside before the inside is cooked, turn down the heat. It’s easy to burn the exterior of thin sliced chicken while the middle remains underdone.

Knowing When Thin Sliced Perdue Chicken is Done

Cooking times will vary based on the thickness and size of the chicken slices. Relying on temperature rather than time prevents both undercooked and overcooked chicken.

Here are signs thin sliced chicken breasts are fully cooked:

• Instant read thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 165°F
• Chicken is opaque throughout when cut into
• Juices run clear when pierced with a knife
• Meat feels firm when pressed with tongs or finger

Undercooked chicken will have a translucent or pink appearance inside. Overcooked chicken becomes very firm and rubbery.

The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. Let the chicken rest 3-5 minutes after cooking before serving. The temperature will rise another 5°F as it rests.

Serving and Storing Cooked Thin Sliced Perdue Chicken

The convenience of Perdue’s thin sliced chicken breasts is that they work for all kinds of meals. Here are some serving ideas:

• Fajitas or quesadillas
• Stir fries
• Sandwiches
• Salads
• Wraps
• Flatbread pizzas
• Pasta dishes

Slice or shred the chicken as needed for serving. Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours. Store cooked chicken 3-4 days. The thin slices make it easy to portion out for quick meals throughout the week.

Tips for Moist and Tender Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts

Follow these tips every time for fork-tender Perdue thin sliced chicken:

• Don’t overcook – Use a meat thermometer for doneness
• Pound to an even thickness – Helps cook evenly
• Brine if desired – A saltwater brine adds moisture
• Cook at lower heat – Prevents tough, dry meat
• Let rest before slicing – Allows juices to redistribute

With the proper prep and cooking methods, Perdue’s thin sliced chicken breasts cook up juicy, delicious and easy. The quick cook time makes them ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, lunches and more. Follow this handy guide for perfectly cooked thin sliced chicken every time.