Can I split chicken breast in half?

Yes, you can easily split a chicken breast in half to create two thinner cutlets. There are a few different ways to do this depending on if you want to split the breast with or without the skin on. Splitting chicken breasts in half can be useful for making them cook faster and more evenly, or for creating cutlets that are a better size and shape for recipes like chicken piccata or chicken parmesan.

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Why Split Chicken Breasts?

There are a few main reasons you may want to split a chicken breast in half:

To create thinner, quicker cooking cutlets – Chicken breasts can be quite thick, which means they take longer to cook through. Splitting them in half creates two thinner pieces that will cook faster and more evenly.
To make chicken cutlets for recipes – Chicken cutlets are commonly called for in recipes like chicken parmesan and chicken piccata. Splitting a breast in half yields two ready-to-use cutlets.
To make them a more uniform size – Chicken breasts can vary a lot in size and shape. Splitting them can help create more evenly sized and shaped pieces.

To season or stuff them – When split in half, chicken breasts provide a pocket that can be stuffed with herbs, cheese or other fillings.

How to Split a Chicken Breast

Here are step-by-step instructions for splitting a chicken breast in half both with and without the skin:

Splitting Chicken Breast with Skin On

If keeping the skin on, follow these steps:

Place chicken breast skin-side down on a cutting board. Hold it steady with one hand.
Using a sharp knife, start slicing horizontally through the thickest part of the breast, cutting almost but not fully through.
Open up the breast like a book to split it in half.

Finish cutting through the last bit of meat to fully separate the two halves.

The skin should stay intact on both pieces with this method. You can also use kitchen shears instead of a knife to cut the breast in half if desired.

Splitting Chicken Breast with Skin Removed

To split a skinless chicken breast:

Remove the skin by cutting it away from the underside of the breast meat.
Place the breast skin-side up on a cutting board. Hold it steady.
Slice horizontally through the thickest section, cutting almost but not fully through.

Flip the breast over and finish slicing through the last bit of meat to separate the halves.

With the skin removed first, you’ll end up with two skinless chicken cutlets after splitting.

Tips for Splitting Chicken Breasts

Follow these tips for clean and even splits:

Use a sharp chef’s knife or kitchen shears – A very sharp knife makes cleaner cuts. Kitchen shears also work well.
Cut through the thickest part – Find the thickest portion and cut horizontally through that area.
Don’t cut all the way through at first – Leaving a bit uncut makes it easier to open up the breast and separate the two halves.

Work with chilled chicken – Very cold chicken breast meat is firmer and easier to cut cleanly.
Remove tenderloin if desired – The tenderloin on the underside can be removed prior to splitting for more even thickness.

Storing and Cooking Split Chicken Breasts

Once split, the chicken breast halves can be stored and cooked just like whole breasts. Here are some tips:

Store wrapped in fridge 1-2 days – Keep refrigerated and use within 1 or 2 days for best quality.
Freeze for longer storage – Wrap halves tightly and freeze for up to a few months.
Cook to 165°F internal temperature – Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F, whether baking, pan searing, grilling or sautéing.

Adjust cook times – Since they are thinner, split breasts will cook faster. Decrease oven bake or skillet cook times.
Use as cutlets for recipes – The split halves work great as chicken cutlets for dishes like chicken parmesan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I pound split chicken breasts?

Pounding the split chicken breast halves with a meat mallet or rolling pin can help flatten and even out the thickness. This is optional but can be helpful if the pieces are still uneven after splitting. Gently pounding between two sheets of plastic wrap helps prevent tearing.

Can I still stuff split chicken breasts?

Yes, splitting the chicken breast provides a pocket that can be stuffed. Some options for stuffed split chicken breasts include:

Cheese – Mozzarella, feta, goat cheese
Herbs – Fresh parsley, basil, thyme

Vegetables – Spinach, sun-dried tomatoes
Meat – Prosciutto, sausage

After stuffing, secure the pocket with toothpicks when cooking.

What is the best way to cook split chicken breasts?

Some of the most common cooking methods for split chicken breasts include:

Pan-searing – Cook in a hot skillet with oil over medium-high heat for a few minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
Baking – Arrange on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-25 minutes depending on thickness.

Grilling – Grill over direct medium heat for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Sautéing – Cook in a pan with butter or oil over medium heat until fully cooked and lightly browned.

Can I bread and fry split chicken breasts?

Definitely! Split chicken breasts are perfect for breading and frying as chicken cutlets or chicken fingers. Prepare a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs or panko. Coat each breast half, fry in oil for 2-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.

Conclusion

Splitting chicken breasts is an easy kitchen skill that opens up options for quicker cooking times, uniform sizing, and recipes calling for cutlets. Simply use a sharp knife to slice a breast horizontally in half, cutting almost but not fully through, then finish separating the halves. Adjust cook times for the thinner pieces and use as desired.