Chicken cutlets are a pantry staple for many home cooks. These thin, boneless chicken breasts cook quickly and can be incorporated into a variety of dishes. However, it’s easy to fall into a rut of making the same few meals over and over. If you’re looking for fresh inspiration on what to cook with chicken cutlets, you’ve come to the right place!
Here are 22 delicious recipes to add variety and excitement to your chicken cutlet routine
Easy Breaded Cutlets
Breaded chicken cutlets are a fast weeknight dinner classic Coating the chicken in breadcrumbs creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender and juicy, Upgrade basic breaded cutlets with these flavorful variations
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Lemon-Herb Breaded Cutlets – Coat cutlets in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, dried oregano, and parsley. Bake or pan-fry until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges.
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Coconut-Crusted Cutlets – For a tropical twist, dredge cutlets in coconut flakes mixed with breadcrumbs before frying or baking. Delicious with pineapple salsa.
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Parmesan-Panko Cutlets – Mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Dip cutlets in egg wash then breadcrumb mixture. Fry or bake for a cheesy, crispy crust.
Cutlets with Creative Sauces
Jazz up basic pan-fried or baked cutlets with a flavor-packed sauce. Some mouthwatering options include:
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Honey-Mustard Chicken – Top seared cutlets with a sauce of Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and fresh herbs.
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Chicken Marsala – Sauté cutlets and mushrooms, then make an easy pan sauce with Marsala wine and broth.
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Buffalo Chicken Cutlets – Fry cutlets then coat with Buffalo wing sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing for dipping.
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Creamy Lemon Chicken – Sautéed cutlets baked with an easy lemon cream sauce made with half and half, Parmesan, and fresh lemon juice.
Sheet Pan Dinners
Cooking cutlets and veggies together on one sheet pan makes for fast, fuss-free dinners with minimal cleanup. Some of our favorites include:
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Chicken Fajitas – Bake cutlets with bell peppers, onions, chili powder, cumin, and lime. Serve with tortillas, guacamole, etc.
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Balsamic Chicken and Veggies – Roast cutlets with potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and red onion. Toss with an easy balsamic vinaigrette.
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Chicken Sausage and Potatoes – Bake cutlets with sliced potatoes, red onion, and chicken apple sausage. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary.
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Chicken Finger Bake – Bread cutlets and bake with oven fries and frozen veggies like broccoli or green beans. Kids big and small will love this one!
Global Flavor Inspiration
Ethnic spices and sauces add bold, complex flavors to simple chicken cutlets. Some international flavor ideas:
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Jerk Chicken – Rub cutlets with a homemade jerk seasoning blend. Grill or broil until lightly charred.
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Tandoori Chicken – Marinate cutlets in yogurt with Indian spices like garlic, ginger, coriander, and garam masala. Bake or grill.
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General Tso’s Chicken – Fry breaded cutlets then toss with a sweet, slightly spicy sauce with rice vinegar, chili sauce, and scallions.
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Chicken Shawarma – Pan fry cutlets seasoned with a shawarma spice mix. Slice and serve in pita with tzatziki sauce.
Cutlets for Sandwiches & Wraps
Chicken cutlets make tasty, protein-packed fillings for sandwiches and wraps. Here are some creative combinations:
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Bacon Ranch Chicken Wrap – Fill a tortilla with cutlets, ranch dressing, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon.
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Buffalo Chicken Sandwich – Layer fried cutlets coated in Buffalo sauce with blue cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a bun.
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Chicken Pesto Panini – Grill cutlets with pesto, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and spinach on ciabatta bread.
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Chicken Caesar Pitas – Stuff pita pockets with cutlets, romaine, Parmesan, and Caesar dressing.
Healthy-ish Cutlet Meals
Chicken cutlets provide a neutral, lean protein canvas to build healthy-ish meals that don’t skimp on flavor. Try these lightened-up dishes:
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Chicken Fajita Salad – Top a salad of greens, peppers, corn, black beans, and avocado with sliced fajita-spiced baked cutlets.
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Chicken Caprese – Bake cutlets topped with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic reduction.
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Greek Chicken Bowls – Serve baked Greek yogurt-marinated cutlets over rice with cucumbers, olives, feta, and tzatziki sauce.
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Creamy Chicken & Veggie Skillet – Cook cutlets in a skillet with broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms. Make a light creamy sauce with chicken broth, milk, and Parmesan. Serve over pasta or zoodles.
So break out of your chicken cutlet comfort zone and try out some of these fun, tasty recipes! With endless options for flavors, ingredients, and techniques, you’ll never get bored cooking with cutlets again.
What customers are saying
Serving Per Recipe: 4
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 2.5g 13%
Total carbs 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
How to Make Perfect Crispy Chicken Cutlets | From the Test Kitchen | Bon Appetit
FAQ
What else can you do with chicken cutlets?
Often fried until golden brown and crispy, cutlets can be used in so many more ways. They’re great wrapped in prosciutto or bacon, which adds fat and flavor to the lean cut. They’re also tasty simmered in a cream sauce, or topped with a zesty salsa.
What are chicken cutlets good for?
Chicken cutlets are a godsend when it comes to quick and easy meals. The thin slices are perfect for searing and frying, but they also make great options if you’re just looking for a piece of meat you know will quickly cook evenly.
What is a good side to have with chicken cutlets?
Roasted vegetables, salad, quinoa or couscous, mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, pasta salad.
What can be served with cutlets?
- Serve with a dollop of Maggi Tamarind Sauce or your favorite chutney.
- Serve with a dollop of spicy mayo, 3:1 mixture of mayo to Sriracha with a squeeze of lime.
- Serve drizzled with an herby ranch dip (page TK The Weekday Vegetarians)