How to Cut Chicken Breast for Chicken Strips

Chicken strips are a great way to add protein to meals like salads, pasta, sandwiches, and more. Making your own chicken strips at home is easy and allows you to control the ingredients. The key is learning how to properly cut raw chicken breasts into even, thin strips that will cook quickly and evenly.

Why Cut Chicken Breast for Strips

There are a few advantages to cutting chicken breasts into strips rather than cooking them whole:

• Cooks faster – Slicing the chicken into thin, uniform strips means it will cook through in just a few minutes. This makes chicken strips ideal for busy weeknights.

• More surface area – Cutting the chicken exposes more surface area to get crispy and browned when cooking. Whole breasts tend to end up with just two flat sides that brown.

• Versatile – Chicken strips can be used in all kinds of recipes from appetizers to main courses. Their thin shape also makes them easy to eat on salads, in wraps or sandwiches, etc.

• Portion control – When eating chicken breasts for dinner, it can be hard to visually determine a serving size. Cutting them into strips makes it easier to portion out the right amount.

How to Buy Chicken Breasts for Strips

When purchasing chicken at the grocery store here are some tips

• Boneless skinless – For easier slicing, look for chicken breasts without bones or skin. Removing these yourself makes cutting more difficult.

• Individual breasts – Pieces that are roughly 4-6 oz or 3/4 lb total are best. Larger, family-pack breasts can be tricky to slice evenly.

• Look for uniform thickness – Try to avoid breasts that taper off into a thin end. The most even strips come from uniformly thick pieces of chicken.

• Avoid enhanced chicken – Chicken that is injected or marinated with a sodium solution will release a lot of water when cut. This makes the strips soggy.

How to Cut Raw Chicken Breasts into Strips

Cutting raw chicken is an easy process but there are some important techniques that will give you the most consistent, professional results:

Prep the Chicken

• Thoroughly rinse chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove any loose fat or tissue.

• Place chicken on a cutting board or flat work surface. Have ready a large plate or sheet pan.

• Make sure your hands and work area are clean to avoid spreading bacteria.

Determine Cut Direction

• Locate the grain of the meat by looking for thin white lines running through the chicken.

• You will cut across the grain, not with it. This results in shorter muscle fibers so the cooked meat is tender.

Slice the Chicken

• Use a sharp chef’s knife approximately 8-10 inches long. Dull knives make cutting difficult and dangerous.

• Hold chicken firmly with one hand, keeping fingers curled under to avoid being cut.

• With the other hand, make long, clean slices across the grain to create even strips.

• Cut strips to the desired thickness based on your recipe. Aim for around 1/2 inch.

• Strips from one breast will number from 5 to 7 depending on thickness.

Tips for Cutting Success

• Work slowly and be precise – Rushed cuts mean uneven strips that cook unevenly.

• Use a light touch – Let the sharp knife do the work. Pressing too hard mashes the meat.

• Cut perpendicular to board – angling knife makes strips wider on one end.

• Keep strips uniform – consistency ensures even cooking.

• If chicken slides, try freezing it briefly before cutting to firm it up.

Cooking Chicken Strips

The thin shape of chicken strips enables quick and even cooking. Here are some top cooking methods:

• Pan-fry – Dredge strips in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs for perfectly crisp and juicy chicken tenders. Fry in 1/2 inch oil for 2-3 minutes per side.

• Bake – Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 450F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush with oil or spices.

• Air Fry – Mist strips with oil spray and cook at 390F for 8-10 minutes, shaking basket halfway through. Gets crispy with less oil.

• Grill – Great on the BBQ in summer. Oil lightly and grill over direct heat for just 2-4 minutes per side. Charred but tender.

Serving Ideas for Chicken Strips

The uses for homemade chicken strips are endless! Here are just a few serving ideas:

• Chicken salads – top leafy greens with strips, veggies, cheese, nuts, and dressing

• Chicken wraps – stuff strips into tortillas or flatbread with fixings like lettuce, tomato, avocado

• Chicken sandwiches – brighter tasting than fried nuggets on buns with pickles and sauce

• Chicken pasta – toss strips with noodles, olive oil, parmesan, spinach, and seasonings

• Chicken skewers – alternate strips with peppers, onion, pineapple on skewers for colorful kebabs

• Chicken nachos – pile crispy strips atop tortilla chips and finish with cheese, salsa, guac and sour cream

• Chicken fried rice – stir strips into rice with carrots, peas, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs

So pick up a pack of chicken breasts next time you shop and give homemade chicken strips a try! Properly cutting the raw chicken is the key to unlocking so many easy and delicious meals.