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thinly sliced seasoned chicken breast on a cutting board

Baked Thin Chicken Breasts- aka versatile meal prep chicken!

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 28 reviews
  • Author: Erica Baty
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Meal Prep
  • Method: Broil
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: High-Protein

Description

Juicy and flavorful, this oven baked thin chicken breast is your versatile chicken BFF- perfect for salads, pasta, wraps and more.


Ingredients

  • 2-lb chicken breast, about 4 large chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to broil. Arrange the oven tray to the top third of the oven (not the highest notch, usually the second one down). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or foil. You may need to use two baking sheets.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
  3. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Trim away any excess skin or sinew. Using a chef’s knife, slice the chicken breast in half lengthwise so they are thin fillets. Do your best to cut them to an even thickness, about 1/2-inch. Drizzle the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle on the seasoning mixture, tossing the chicken until it is evenly coated.
  4. Place the chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, with at least 1 inch between each piece. Broil for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken using tongs and return to the oven. For small, thin pieces, broil another 5 minutes, for thicker pieces you may need 6-8 minutes. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes and then slice or shred or enjoy as is!

This is my go-to meal prep chicken and I love to use it in mason jar salads, this easy chicken and pasta bake, BLT chicken salad, flatbreads, wraps, or sandwiches.


Notes

Oven bake instructions: Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake for 9 minutes, flip the fillets and bake an additional 4-6 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Air fryer instructions: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer. You will need to work in 2-3 batches so you don’t overcrowd the basket. You want space between each chicken piece. Air fry at 410°F for 10 minutes, adding another 2-3 minutes if you have thicker slices, until the internal temperature is 165°F.

Refer to above blog post for ingredient notes, step-by-step instructions, expert tips, variations and answers to frequently asked questions.

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 recipe (3oz cooked chicken)
  • Calories: 165
  • Sugar: 0.9 g
  • Sodium: 285.2 mg
  • Fat: 4.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 25.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 82.7 mg