The Best Baked Thin Chicken Breasts

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Have no time to cook but everyone is hungry? These baked thin chicken breasts are the perfect quick chicken dinner solution. Serve them with creamy mashed potatoes and a crisp salad, and you’ll have a meal the whole family will love—all in under 20 minutes.

Golden baked thin chicken breasts on a plate ready to be served.

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Chicken breast can be tricky to cook—it often turns out dry and chewy if not handled properly. For years, I only poached chicken breast to avoid the hassle. But now, I’ve found a foolproof way to bake chicken breasts in the oven. The secret is slicing them thinly and baking them quickly at a high temperature to keep them juicy and flavorful.

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

  • Easy to Make: These baked thin chicken breasts come together in just 20 minutes with minimal effort.
  • Kid-Approved: The light and juicy chicken, paired with a mild dry rub, appeals to big and small eaters.
  • Perfect for Busy Weeknights: With a quick bake time, these chicken breasts make a perfect addition to your weekly routine.
  • Meal-Prep Friendly: They taste great cold, making them perfect for sandwiches, wraps, and lunch boxes.
  • Delicious: I used the same dry rub from my baked dry rub chicken wings to season these thin chicken breasts, and the result is absolutely delicious—juicy, tender, and full of flavor.

This recipe is great! I can’t believe how easy it was to make it. The chicken was juicy and tender, just right. My kids and husband loved it and we definitely will be making it again.


Meg

📝 Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients needed to make baked thin chicken breasts.
  • Chicken Breasts: Thinly sliced chicken cutlets, no thicker than 1 cm (1/3 inch), ensure quick and even cooking. Slice them yourself, ask your butcher, or buy pre-cut chicken cutlets at the store.
  • Dry Rub: Use your favorite seasoning mix, or check out my dry rub recipe in the recipe card👇. It’s a perfect blend for juicy, flavorful chicken.
  • Extra virgin olive oil.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients 👇

Variations

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you can swap out my seasoning for any spice mix you love while sticking to the same method for baking thin chicken breasts. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

  • Spicy: If you like a spicy kick, try our homemade pastrami seasoning.
  • Mediterranean: Use a blend of rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder for the ultimate Mediterranean flavor.
  • Middle Eastern: Try our chicken shawarma recipe for a delicious Middle Eastern seasoning.

How To Make Baked Thin Chicken Breasts in The Oven

Step 1: Set the oven to 210°C (420°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Someone cutting chicken breast horizontally into thin steaks.

Step 2: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally if needed.

two thin chicken breast slices on a green chopping board.

Depending on the size of your chicken breasts you might be able to make 3-4 slices.

Thin chicken breasts in a white mixing bowl seasoned with spices.

Step 3: Add them to a bowl with your chosen seasoning and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.

Thin chicken breasts are arranged on a baking tray ready to be baked.

Step 4: Place chicken slices on the prepared tray, leaving space between them. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

That’s it! Now you have the best baked thin chicken breasts! Enjoy

How Long To Cook Thin Chicken Breast In The Oven

To cook thin chicken breasts in the oven, you’ll want to bake them at a high temperature to keep them juicy without drying them out. Here are the general guidelines:

  • Oven Temperature: Preheat your oven to 425°F (210°C).
  • Cooking Time: Bake the thin-sliced chicken breasts for about 10-12 minutes, depending on their thickness. The chicken should be golden and fully cooked through by this time.
  • Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), which ensures the chicken is fully cooked but still moist.
  • Resting: After removing from the oven, let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy.

Adjust the time slightly based on the thickness of the chicken breasts, but the key is to avoid overcooking.

☀️ Top Tips

  • Preheat for Crispy Results: Always preheat your oven to ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
  • Space Between Cutlets: Leave space between the chicken slices to prevent them from steaming.

🍴 What To Serve With Baked Thin Chicken Breasts

Baked thin chicken breasts are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of side dishes. For a classic meal, serve them alongside creamy mashed cauliflower or fluffy basmati rice to soak up any delicious juices. A vibrant, fresh salad such as an easy cucumber avocado salad or traditional coleslaw is perfect for a light option that balances the richness of the chicken.

If you’re looking for something more fun, use the chicken as a filling for hearty toasties or wraps. Layer it with your favorite toppings like avocado, cheese, or crunchy veggies for a satisfying lunch. You can even turn them into chicken tacos with fresh mango and avocado salsa and guacamole or stuff pitas for a quick, on-the-go meal.

The possibilities are endless, making these baked thin chicken breasts a great addition to any dinner table!

Baked thin chicken breasts served with mashed cauliflower and cucumber salad.

❄️ How to Store Baked Thin Chicken Breasts

Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheat: Warm in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 10 minutes until heated through without drying out.

Baked thin chicken breasts stored ina glass container.

Baked Thin Chicken Breasts Recipe FAQs

How do I avoid overcooking the thin chicken breasts?

To avoid overcooking thin chicken breasts, monitor the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Chicken is perfectly cooked at 165°F (approximately 74°C). Additionally, once baked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes so the juices can redistribute, keeping it moist and delicious. This simple technique ensures your thin chicken breasts stay juicy and tender.

Should I bake thin chicken breast covered or uncovered?

You don’t need to cover the chicken while baking. High temperature and short baking time are enough to ensure the chicken breasts are cooked through.

Can I bake chicken breast without baking powder?

You can go ahead and bake chicken without baking powder however, baking powder makes chicken breast tender and gives a nice golden color. Make sure to use aluminium-free baking powder.

If you tried this Baked Thin Chicken Breasts Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Happy cooking! 🧑‍🍳

Golden, delicious looking thin chicken breasts are served on a white plate.

The Best Baked Thin Chicken Breasts

Elena Elliott
These baked thin chicken breasts are quick, easy, and juicy—perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. With just 12 minutes in the oven, they’re a family-friendly dinner option that pairs well with salads, potatoes, or wraps.
5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine European
Servings 4 people
Calories 263 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts aproximatelly 1 kiogram (2.205 lb)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sumac
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder aluminium-free if possible

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Thinly slice the chicken breasts to about 1 cm thick if not pre-sliced. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the dry rub ingredients. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil, then coat them with the dry rub. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
  • Arrange the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). The chicken should be golden and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

Notes

  • Thin slicing and using a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken.
  • The dry rub is a versatile seasoning mix; feel free to customize it to your taste!
Calories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 48gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 872mgPotassium: 854mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 191IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 190mgIron: 1mg

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE this meal!! I could eat it every week and never get tired of it!
    Didn’t have a dinner plan the other night and it was just perfect, quick and easy and YUM!

5 from 4 votes

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