Comparing Chicken Breasts, Cutlets, and Tenderloins: Key Differences

While chicken cutlets and tenderloins share a similar taste and texture, they have distinct characteristics. Here's a breakdown of these chicken cuts and how to make the most of each:

What Exactly Is a Chicken Breast?

Fresh chicken breast placed on a clean white plate

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The chicken breast is a lean cut of white meat located on the underside of the bird. A whole chicken has a single breast, typically split into halves for sale. When a recipe mentions chicken breast, it usually refers to a chicken breast half, which is what you'll find at most grocery stores and butcher shops, unless stated otherwise.

Chicken breasts are often preferred over other cuts (like thighs or wings) due to their mild flavor, tender texture, and health benefits. White meat tends to be lower in calories compared to dark meat, making it a popular choice—though this often makes it pricier.

Common Uses

Chicken breasts are incredibly versatile. Whether you bake, grill, fry, boil, or barbecue them, there's no shortage of delicious ways to cook them.

Recipe Ideas

A breaded and baked chicken breast served with rice pilaf and steamed broccoli on the side.

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Looking for dinner ideas? Try these quick and tasty chicken breast recipes tonight!

Garlic Chicken Breasts
Asian Orange Chicken
Balsamic-Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Chef John's Chicken and Mushrooms
Salsa Chicken

Discover more recipes: Chicken Breast Recipes

What Exactly Are Chicken Cutlets?

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A chicken cutlet is a chicken breast that's been sliced horizontally into two thinner pieces. This method ensures the meat cooks more evenly by creating a consistent thickness. Sometimes, cutlets are further flattened with a mallet to speed up cooking and achieve an even cook throughout.

Learn More: How to Prepare Chicken Cutlets from a Chicken Breast

Common Uses

Cutlets are perfect for when you need to cook chicken fast and effortlessly. They're ideal for frying or searing.

Recipe Ideas

Make the most of your chicken cutlets with these quick and tasty recipe ideas:

Photo Credit: Chef John

Chicken Parmesan
Old-Fashioned Chicken Cutlets
Chicken Katsu
Chicken Milanese
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Explore More Recipes: Quick Chicken Cutlet Ideas

What Are Chicken Tenderloins?

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A chicken tenderloin, also known as a chicken tender, is a small, thin muscle found beneath the breast. It's usually separated from the breast and sold as a separate cut.

Chicken tenders are notably more, well, tender compared to other cuts. But that's not all— they also have more calories and sodium than plain chicken breasts.

If chicken tenderloins aren't available at your store, you can easily create a substitute by slicing chicken breasts into thin strips.