Grilling thin sliced chicken breast can seem tricky. Without the right technique, it’s easy to end up with dry, overcooked meat. But have no fear! With a few simple tips, you can achieve perfectly juicy flavorful chicken breast off the grill every time.
Select the Right Thickness
When preparing thin sliced chicken breast for the grill, opt for uniform slices that are around 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick. This thickness allows the chicken to cook quickly without drying out. If the slices are too thin, they will overcook very fast. Too thick, and the inside may be underdone while the outside burns. 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch is the sweet spot.
You can ask your butcher to slice chicken breasts for you, or do it yourself at home Just use a sharp knife to carefully slice the chicken lengthwise into thin, even cuts Aim for consistency to ensure even cooking.
Pound the Meat
Before grilling, it helps to gently pound the chicken slices to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This tenderizes the meat so it grills up tender and helps the chicken cook nice and evenly from slice to slice.
A light pounding also allows seasonings and marinades to better penetrate the chicken for enhanced flavor. Take care not to overdo it though, as you don’t want to end up with mushy meat.
Marinate for Moisture and Flavor
Marinating is a must for keeping thin sliced chicken breast juicy and imparting tons of flavor. The acid in marinades tenderizes the lean meat, while oil coats it to prevent drying out over the heat.
Try marinating for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 1-4 hours for best results. Go longer if you have the time, as more marinating time equals more flavor!
Some easy marinade ideas are Italian dressing, teriyaki sauce, lemon-herb vinaigrette, or a mix of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and spices. Get creative with your own signature marinade.
Pat Chicken Dry before Grilling
After marinating, always pat the chicken slices dry with paper towels before tossing them on the grill. The paper towels will soak up any excess moisture so you get a nice sear when grilling. Too much moisture causes steaming instead of browning.
Grill Quickly over Direct Heat
The key to juicy, flavorful grilled chicken breast is cooking quickly over high, direct heat. Thin slices only need a few minutes per side. Any longer and they’ll dry out.
Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, about 400°F. Clean and lightly oil the grates first to prevent sticking. Place the chicken directly over the heat source and grill for just 2-3 minutes per side until done.
Use tongs to flip the chicken only once during cooking. Flipping repeatedly causes moisture loss.
Monitor Doneness Closely
Since thin chicken breast cooks so quickly, it’s important to carefully monitor doneness to avoid overcooking. Judge by appearance and feel.
The chicken should turn opaque and develop nice grill marks on the surface. To check for doneness, nick a slice with a knife and look for clear juices running out and no pink meat inside.
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a slice should read 160-165°F when done. Remember, you want to pull it off just before 165°F since the temperature will continue rising as it rests.
Let Chicken Rest before Serving
Never slice into chicken straight off the grill! Let it rest, tented loosely with foil, for 5-10 minutes first. The resting period allows juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when you cut into it.
Chicken is delicate, so slicing too soon results in dry meat. Be patient – the wait is worth it for tender, juicy results.
Season and Sauce Just Before Serving
Wait until after the chicken is cooked and rested to add any final seasoning or sauces. Brushing with sauce or sprinkling with herbs too soon can burn or dry out on the grill.
After resting, feel free to toss the chicken with your favorite sauce like barbecue, teriyaki, or chimichurri to boost flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice also adds welcome brightness.
Sear Then Finish Indirect If Needed
If your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, you may need to use indirect grilling to ensure even doneness without burning.
Start by searing the slices for 1-2 minutes per side over direct heat to get nice grill marks. Then, move the chicken to the cooler side of the grill, close the lid, and finish cooking indirectly until done, about 5-7 minutes more. Keep a close eye to avoid overcooking.
Best Side Dishes and Serving Ideas
Grilled chicken breast pairs deliciously with so many sides. Try serving with:
- Fresh green salad or coleslaw
- Grilled veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or corn on the cob
- Rice, quinoa, or roasted potatoes
- Warm tortillas for chicken fajitas or tacos
- Pasta salad loaded with veggies and Italian dressing
For an easy yet impressive presentation, slice the chicken and fan it out over a bed of greens, grains, or roasted vegetables. Drizzle with any sauces or vinaigrettes.
Stuff into a pita or wrap with veggies and hummus or tuck into a lettuce-lined tortilla for tasty grilled chicken tacos. The possibilities are endless!
Troubleshooting for Best Results
Having trouble getting perfect results when grilling thin chicken breast? Here are some tips to troubleshoot common issues:
Chicken is overcooked and dry: Thin slices cook fast, so watch closely and remove from heat at 160°F. Let rest before cutting to preserve juices.
Chicken has burnt outside but raw inside: Slice chicken evenly so it grills at the same rate. Sear over direct heat then finish indirect.
Chicken sticks to the grill: Make sure grates are clean and oiled before grilling. Use tongs, not forks, to turn chicken.
Chicken lacks flavor: Marinate for 1-4 hours in an acidic marinade before grilling. Season just before serving.
Chicken breast curls up: Pound to an even thickness so slices cook evenly. Slice against the grain of the meat.
Grilling Thin Chicken Breast to Perfection
Grilling juicy, flavorful thin sliced chicken breast is easy once you know the tricks. Pound to an even thickness, marinate well, and grill quickly over direct heat. Monitor doneness closely and let the chicken rest before slicing for tender, moist meat bursting with flavor.
Pair with fresh veggies and grains for delicious, balanced meals. With these simple tips, you’ll be a pro at grilling thin chicken breast in no time!
What is thinly sliced chicken and why cook with it?
Thinly sliced chicken is simply chicken that has been cut into smaller pieces. Most often, people will buy thinly sliced chicken from the store in the form of chicken tenderloins or thinly sliced chicken breast. You also have the option to buy whole chicken breasts that you can butterfly or thin slice once you get home!
Some of the reasons I recommend cooking with with thinly sliced chicken include:
- Quicker cooking times: Depending on the thickness of the chicken you cook with, thinly sliced chicken pieces can be baked all the way through in about 25-40 minutes. Always ensure you have reached 165 internal temperature with a food thermometer!
- More even cooking: Gone are the days of some of your baked chicken turning out bone dry while other pieces are hardly baked at all. While slicing your chicken into thinner pieces helps the chicken cook more evenly, your chicken can also be pounded down with a mallet so that all of your pieces are even more cohesive in size.
- More chicken! Take 3 breasts and turn them into 6 servings by butterflying them in half… talk about feeding healthy meals on a budget!
Sides for thinly sliced chicken recipes:
One of the best reasons to cook chicken in general, beyond its lean protein and nutritional profile, is that chicken plates well with a variety of sides from pasta salads, rice, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and more!
Here are a few side dishes that you could pair with your chicken including hot honey brussels sprouts, zesty Italian pasta salad, spicy cucumbers, edamame and bean salad, Tex-Mex salad, and mediterranean rice pilaf!
1) Thinly sliced chicken breast recipes for every day:
If you need thinly sliced chicken that can pair with just about any recipe, here are 10 ways that you can prep your thin chicken pieces to serve with your sides of choice:
Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe by Pinch of Yum
Air fried to golden perfection, this every day chicken breast is thinly sliced and coated in spices and a brown sugar with corn starch mixture for delicious flavor.
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenderloins by Key to my Lime
Get dinner on the table in under 15 minutes with these easy, stove top garlic butter chicken tenderloins.
Baked Chicken Tenderloin Parmesan by Skinny Taste
With just a few simple ingredients, you can have these baked chicken tenderloins parmesan on the table for a family friendly dinner..
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders by Project Meal Plan
Coated in a simple breading, these air fryer breaded chicken tenders are perfect for wraps, salads, and serving to hungry kids!
Lemon Butter Chicken Tenders by Cooking Classy
Full of lemon and garlic flavor, these chicken tenders pair nicely with rice, salads, and pastas!
The Best Chicken Cutlets Recipe by Food Network
A mix of Panko and Pecorino Romano result in a perfectly crispy and golden exterior to this flavorful and juicy chicken cutlet.
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken by Spend with Pennies
Baked, not fried, this juicy parmesan crusted chicken comes together quickly and is perfect to eat on its own or in a sandwich.
Blackened Chicken Cutlets by Pressure Luck Cooking
This blackened chicken is keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo and is a great addition to a balanced meal.
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets by Healthy Fitness Meals
These easy to make and perfectly baked crispy chicken cutlets are a dinner that the entire family will enjoy.
Oven Baked Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts by Momma Fit Lyndsey
This oven baked chicken breast recipe is a quick and easy way to get a flavor filled protein on the table in no time.
2) Italian inspired recipes for thinly sliced chicken:
Bruschetta Chicken by Nourish and Fete
Full of fresh Italian flavors, this bruschetta chicken is topping with a delicious tomato-basil mixture and will be on your dinner table in 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Italian Chicken Cutlets by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
These air fryer Italian chicken cutlets come together in a flash and pair perfectly with simple side dishes or placed on a pasta.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken by Salt and Baker
Smothered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach tuscan sauce, these chicken tenders are full of flavors a pair well with your favorite sides.
Baked Pesto Chicken Tenders by 5 Dinners 1 Hour
These baked chicken tenders have a quick 5 minute prep time and are so easy, even a beginner cook can make them!
Crispy Baked Chicken Cutlets, Italian-Style by Mangia with Michele
Baked, not fried, these crispy Italian chicken cutlets are full of flavor and will not disappoint!
3) Thin chicken breast recipes with soy:
Honey Soy Chicken Tenderloins by Allie Carte Dishes
These chicken tenderloins are covered in a delicious honey soy sauce and taste as delicious as they look!
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders by Little Sunny Kitchen
These flavor filled chicken tenders come together in 20-minutes and are made in just one pan!
Honey-Gochujang Fried Chicken Tenders by The Kitchn
Make the perfect game-day snack or delicious dinner with these chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy sauce!
Zesty Honey Soy Baked Chicken by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
This thinly sliced chicken breast recipe is baked to perfection and covered in a zesty honey soy sauce that your entire family will love.
Asian Lemon Chicken Tenders by Damn Delicious
A lemon glaze adds a fun twist to your favorite chicken tenders.
4) Sort of spicy thinly sliced chicken breast recipes:
Looking to turn up the heat? Switching out condiments, toppings, and dips is an easy way to add some spice to your thinly sliced chicken recipes. Here are 5 recipe ideas that feature slightly spicy chicken you may enjoy:
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders by This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Whether you serve them as an appetizer or make them a meal, these slightly spicy buffalo chicken tenders are guaranteed to impress!
Spicy Chicken Tenders by Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
If you’re looking for an extra crunch, these thinly sliced chicken breasts are coated in buttermilk and hot sauce then deep fried to deliciousness!
Tex-Mex Chicken Strips by Taste of Home
You can pair these chicken strips with dips like guacamole and salsa or chop them and add them a taco salad or bowl!
Gochugaru Chicken Tenders by Feeding the Frasers
These chicken tenders are seasoned with a Korean chile flakes blend bringing your chicken from boring to bursting with flavor.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Tenders by Saving Room for Dessert
Full of citrus and chipotle flavors, these grilled chicken tenders feature a sweet heat that pairs nicely with a spicy slaw.
There you have 25 delicious ways to cook with thinly sliced chicken breast! Whether you use chicken tenderloins or butterfly your chicken breasts into thin chicken cutlets, these chicken recipes are a quick and easy way to get a tasty protein on the dinner table in no time!
How to Grill Boneless Chicken Breast
FAQ
How long should you grill thin sliced chicken breast?
At what temperature and for how long should I cook thin sliced chicken breast?
- Lay the thinly sliced chicken on a parchment-lined sheet pan or baking dish and bake for 13-15 minutes at 325°F.
- OPTION: Dry-baked chicken breasts can look gray, which is a little unappetizing.