What Are Boneless chicken breasts and How Can I Use Them?
Wondering what to do with boneless chicken breasts? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them, plus 800 recipes to put them to work.
Key Points
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and mild but can dry out easily.
- Cook gently to 165°F (74°C); remove at 160-162°F (72°C) and rest for juiciest results.
- Brining or marinating improves moisture.
- Store fresh breasts in the refrigerator for 1-2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Chicken thighs or turkey breast can substitute depending on the dish.
What are boneless chicken breasts?
Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves are the lean white meat cut from the breast of the chicken. They are one of the most popular proteins because they are mild in flavor and cook quickly.
How to Choose It
Look for breasts that are plump, pink, and evenly sized. Avoid packages with excess liquid or any gray or yellow discoloration. Air-chilled chicken often has better texture and flavor than water-chilled.
How to Cook It
Chicken breasts dry out easily. Cook them gently to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For the juiciest results, remove them from the heat at 160-162°F (72°C) and let them rest 5-10 minutes so they finish cooking while the juices redistribute.
Brining or marinating helps keep them moist. Common methods include pan-searing, baking, poaching, and grilling. Pound them to an even thickness for faster, more even cooking.
Common Uses
Chicken breasts work well in stir-fries, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and sheet-pan meals. They are also popular for meal prep. Their mild flavor takes well to marinades and sauces.
Storage
Fresh chicken breasts should be used within one to two days. Store them in the coldest part of the refrigerator. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
Substitutes
Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay juicier. Turkey breast can be used when a similar lean white meat is desired. For vegetarian options, try seitan or firm tofu.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, chopped or diced (140g)Where found
Boneless chicken breasts are usually found in the poultry section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless are a member of the Poultry Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much do boneless chicken breasts weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup, chopped or diced | 140 grams |
| 1 unit (yield from 1 lb ready-to-cook chicken) | 52 grams |
| ½ breast, bone and skin removed | 86 grams |
Related
Poultry Products
- In Chinese:
- 鸡胸脯肉，去骨，去皮
- British (UK) term:
- Chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless
- en français:
- désossées sans peau et les poitrines de poulet
- en español:
- sin hueso y sin piel pechugas de pollo
Recipes using boneless chicken breasts
There are 800 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Waldorf 2015
This modern Waldorf salad swaps walnuts for cucumber and adds protein-packed chicken. Crisp apples, sweet raisins, and creamy mayo over fresh romaine in 20 minutes.
Chicken Stir-Fry
Quick Chinese chicken stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, and celery in a savory soy-ginger sauce. Marinate 30 minutes, cook in 10 for a weeknight dinner that beats takeout.
Satay Peanut Chicken
Satay peanut chicken skewers marinated in peanut butter, soy, lemon, garlic, ginger, and red pepper, then grilled and served with the reserved sauce for dipping. A Southeast Asian classic with a kick.
Grilled Chicken Breasts with Wild Mushroom & Bourbon Sauce
Tender lemon-rosemary chicken meets an earthy wild mushroom sauce spiked with bourbon, creating layers of savory depth perfect for elegant dinners.
Chicken Satay with Coconut Marinade
Chicken satay marinated in a fragrant coconut-turmeric paste with garlic, shallots, and cumin, then grilled on skewers until charred and juicy. Golden Southeast Asian skewers made for peanut sauce.
Tikka Chicken
Chicken pieces marinated in spiced yogurt with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and coriander, then grilled on skewers until charred and tender. Authentic Indian chicken tikka at home.
Mexican Chicken Chili
Mexican chicken chili blends home-ground chicken breast with a little lean beef, simmered low and slow with warm spices and tomatoes. Topped with avocado, a dollop of yogurt, and fresh cilantro for a lighter bowl.
Refreshing Cobb Salad
Classic Cobb salad with chicken, bacon, avocado, egg, and Roquefort dressing. Composed salad with rows of colorful toppings over crisp lettuce, perfect for elegant lunches.
Sweet Justice Kung Pao Chicken
Traditional Chinese Recipe. You can cook this kung pao chicken in many ways, it depends on your own flavour, this sweet juistice should be loved by kids and women!
Chicken Caesar Salad
Sautéed chicken breast sliced thin over crisp romaine with homemade garlic croutons, Parmesan, and a from-scratch Caesar dressing made with anchovy paste and fresh lemon. A low-calorie salad that eats like a meal.
Chicken Quesadillas
Quick, easy and delicious. It's hard to go wrong with cheddar, chicken and hot sauce. A great way to have something tasty to eat within no time.
Cream of Chicken Soup
Homemade cream of chicken soup isn't hard to make and it can't compare to store-bought.
Chicken Avocado Melt
Cornmeal-crusted chicken breasts topped with creamy avocado slices, melted cheese, and cool sour cream. This baked chicken avocado melt uses cumin and garlic salt for a Southwestern kick and takes just 45 minutes from start to table.
Mediterranean Pasta
Mediterranean pasta with chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, olives, and rosemary in tomato sauce over vermicelli. Crumbled feta on top. Weeknight dinner classic.
Crockpot Chicken Stew with Pepper & Pineapple
Crockpot Chicken Stew with Pepper and Pineapple recipe
Moo Shu-Style Grilled Chicken
Fantastic. I cooked it for my parents. My mother said it was very aromatic, my father just finished before I started to eat. It was a fun lunch. Thanks!
Pesto Chicken & Pepper Wraps
Easy and delicious chicken wraps are packed with goodness and yumminess.
Chicken Tomatillo Sauce with Mole Chile
Wok-seared chicken in a smoky tomatillo-mole sauce with roasted garlic, chipotle, and coffee. Served over egg noodles with jalapeño Jack cheese and a fresh platter of jicama, cucumber, and radishes.
Chicken Breasts with Roasted Garlic-Chevre Sauce
Chicken breasts in an easy garlic cream sauce with tangy goat cheese. Only 5 ingredients.
Teriyaki Blackened Chicken Satay
Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers drizzled with teriyaki and topped with warm Thai peanut sauce, scallions, cilantro and sesame seeds. A fusion satay that brings restaurant-level plating home.
Lemon Chicken with Thyme
Pan-seared lemon chicken with thyme in a silky pan sauce made from seasoned flour, chicken broth, and fresh lemon juice. A one-skillet dinner ready in 40 minutes.
Chicken Rosemary with Potatoes
An incredibly simple way to prepare the chicken.. wonderful rosemary aroma (I used fresh leaves).. tasteful lunch.. thanks a lot..
Chicken Breast with Sage & Nutmeg
Pan-seared chicken breasts dredged in sage and nutmeg, deglazed with dry vermouth and sweet red peppers for an elegant 30-minute dinner.
Mom's Simple Chicken Parmesan
This is super quick, easy and simple chicken recipe to prepare - all in one pan to facilitate easy cleanup!
