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Do you have to remove chicken tenderloin?

Whether or not you need to remove the tenderloin from chicken breasts is a common question for home cooks. The tenderloin is a thin strip of meat that runs along the underside of chicken breasts. Some people find it unappealing in texture and flavor compared to the rest of the breast meat. However, removing it is not strictly necessary. Here is a closer look at chicken tenderloins and whether you need to remove them.

What is a Chicken Tenderloin?

Chicken tenderloins, also sometimes called fillets, are long, thin strips of meat attached to the underside of chicken breasts. They connect the breast meat to the ribcage of the chicken. When you buy bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, the tenderloin is included as part of the breast.

However, with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the tenderloin may or may not be removed. Some brands and types of packaged chicken breasts still include the tenderloins, while others remove them.

Appearance and Texture

Chicken tenderloins have a thin, oval shape and are typically about 1⁄2 inch wide. They have a very smooth texture and fine grain compared to the rest of the breast meat.

When raw, the tenderloin will be bright white or pale pink, similar in color to the main breast meat. When cooked, it turns white throughout.

Flavor

While tenderloins are made of the same muscle as chicken breast meat, they have a slightly different flavor. Some people find tenderloins to be slightly blander or less flavorful compared to the main breast portion.

They also have a finer, smoother texture that some find less desirable. However, they are also very mild in flavor and tenderness, making them appealing to others.

Do You Have to Remove the Tenderloins?

There are a few reasons some recipes and chefs recommend removing the tenderloins:

  • They have a different texture and flavor than the main breast meat.
  • They cook faster than the thicker breast meat.
  • Leaving them whole can make the chicken breast uneven in thickness, leading to uneven cooking.

However, removing the tenderloins is not an absolute necessity. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to remove them:

Personal Preference

This often comes down to personal opinion on the flavor and texture. If you find tenderloins unappealing, you may want to remove them. If you enjoy their tenderness, keep them in.

Cooking Method

The thinner tenderloins cook faster than thick breast portions. This means they are prone to overcooking if the whole breast is cooked together. Removing them helps prevent this. However, if you are slicing or pounding the breasts to an even thickness, you can cook them together.

Appearance

Whole tenderloins left attached to the breast may not look as clean or uniform once cooked. If appearance is important, removing them can give you a nicer presentation.

Time and Effort

It does take extra time and effort to remove the tenderloins. For quick weeknight meals, leaving them on may be easier.

How to Remove Chicken Tenderloins

If you do opt to remove the tenderloins, it’s easy to do with just a sharp knife. Here are step-by-step instructions:

  1. Place the chicken breast smooth-side down on a cutting board. The tenderloin will be running vertically along the underside of the breast.
  2. Start at the thin end of the tenderloin, nearest the tapered end of the breast. Slide the knife under the tenderloin to detach it from the breast meat.
  3. Holding the knife parallel to the cutting board, slice the tenderloin off in one smooth motion, pulling it away as you cut.
  4. Repeat with the other side of the chicken breast. Check for any remaining pieces of tenderloin and slice those off too.
  5. Discard the tenderloins or save them for another use. Proceed with cooking the chicken breasts.

It helps to use a very sharp, thin-bladed knife. Position your hand firmly on top of the chicken breast while slicing to secure it. Go slowly to avoid tearing or mangling the breast meat.

Optional: Remove the Rib Meat

While you have the underside of the breast exposed, you can also slice off the thin portion of rib meat along the sides. Similar to the tenderloins, some people find this meat tougher and remove it for an evenly textured breast fillet.

What to Do with Removed Tenderloins

Don’t throw those tenderloins out! While they may not be ideal for every recipe, they have some great uses, including:

  • Chicken fingers or nuggets
  • Stir fries
  • Fajitas or tacos
  • Casseroles or pasta bakes
  • Chicken salad
  • Soup

Their mild flavor and tenderness make them ideal for many cooked dishes. Consider breading and frying them for chicken tenders or dice them small for stir fry. Cook them in liquid for soup or braise them for casseroles.

Store Raw Tenderloins

To save raw tenderloins for later use, store them in an airtight container or bag. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them for several months.

Benefits of Removing vs. Leaving Tenderloins

Here is a quick comparison of the potential benefits of removing vs. leaving the tenderloins intact on chicken breasts:

Removing Tenderloins Leaving Tenderloins
– More even shape and thickness
– Even cooking
– Better control over doneness
– Preferred texture
– Improved appearance
– Easier and faster
– No waste
– Retains moisture
– Extra flavor and juice

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chicken tenderloins white meat or dark meat?

Chicken tenderloins are white meat. They are part of the breast muscle (pectoralis minor) which is categorically white meat like the breast and wing meat.

Can you cook chicken tenderloins the same as breasts?

You can, but tenderloins usually cook faster than regular breast portions. Keep this in mind and reduce the cooking time slightly, or cook tenderloins separately to avoid overcooking.

Are tenderloins lower in fat than chicken breast?

There is little significant difference in fat content. Both chicken breast meat and tenderloins are considered very lean types of poultry.

Should you pound chicken tenderloins?

Pounding tenderloins is optional if you want them thinner to cook quickly. However, given their already thin profile, pounding is often unnecessary.

Can you grill chicken tenderloins?

Yes, chicken tenderloins can be grilled either on their own or still attached to the breast. Take care not to overcook them and be sure to brush them with oil so they don’t stick.

Is the tenderloin the same as the tender?

No, they are different. The tenderloin is a thin strip of meat attached to chicken or turkey breasts. The tender (aka tender muscle) refers to the whole tenderloin muscle after it has been removed from the breast.

Conclusion

While some recipes advise removing chicken tenderloins, it is not strictly necessary in most cases. Leaving them on saves time and avoids waste. However, taking them off does allow for more even cooking and a better appearance. Consider your specific recipe and cooking method when deciding whether or not to remove them. Just don’t throw those tenderloins away – they can still be put to delicious use in many dishes.

If you do take tenderloins off, remove them cleanly with a sharp knife held parallel to the cutting board. Refrigerate raw tenderloins for just a day or two before cooking them in stir fries, casseroles, chicken fingers, and more.