Chicken Cutlets vs Breast vs Tenderloins (What’s the Best Cut?)

Chicken cutlets, breasts, and tenderloins are popular chicken cuts that can be cooked in different ways. However, these cuts are from the same chicken but each has its unique taste. So it is very important to understand the difference between them before choosing one.

Here I’ll compare chicken tenderloins, breasts, and cutlets as well as also tell you which cut will be better for you. I’m sure that if you read this article carefully, then you’ll be able to clear up all of your doubts about chicken cuts.

Let’s dive in and see which cut wins!

What Is Chicken Cutlet

A chicken cutlet is a thin, boneless, and flat piece of chicken meat that is often taken from chicken breast. There are many chicken cutlet cooking techniques such as frying, baking, or grilling. It’s a tasty and popular meal for many people.

Because they are thinner, they cook faster than breasts and are a good option for a quick meal.

To prepare chicken cutlets, slice a chicken breast horizontally into thinner pieces or pound it with a meat mallet until the desired thickness is achieved. They’re often seasoned or marinated for extra flavor before cooking.

I know many people will be eager to know that “How many cutlets are in a chicken breast?”. Basically, it depends on the size of the chicken breast. A large breast can have 3 to 4 cutlets and a small breast will have 2 cutlets.

What Is Chicken Breast

First, I’ll tell you about the chicken breast. Chicken breast is the lean, white meat taken from the chest of a chicken’s body. It is one of the most popular cuts of chicken because it can be used to make many different types of dishes and is easy to cook.

It is usually boneless and skinless but can also be found with the bone and skin. It is a good source of lean protein and vitamins, making it a healthy and nutritious meal option.

According to my experience, a chicken breast weighs about 180 grams. However, the weight of a chicken breast may vary depending on its size and breed.

There are many chicken breast recipes, including pan-frying, baking, and grilling. I prefer grilling because it tastes so good and is easy to make. 

Is That White String In My Chicken Breast

The white string you see in a chicken breast is a tendon. Tendons are dense connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, allowing the muscles to exert force and move the bones. While tendons are generally safe to eat, they can be tough and chewy, so many people prefer to remove them before cooking or consuming chicken breast.

What Are Chicken Tenderloins

Chicken tenderloins are the soft, thin muscles of meat attached to the chicken’s breast. They are also known as chicken tenders. It can be a little confusing because some people think of the breast as a tendon, but it is not a breast at all.

They are more tender and juicy than other parts of the chicken. People like to cook and eat them because they taste good and are easy to prepare. You can fry, bake, or grill them and serve them with barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, or other sauces. They’re often used in sandwiches or salads.

Chicken tenderloins come in many different sizes and weights. However, on average, each tenderloin weighs between 100 grams. The length typically ranges from 4 to 5 inches and the width is around 0.5 to 1 inches.

What’s The Best Chicken Meat Cut

It totally depends on your personal preferences and cooking requirements which cut of chicken is best for you. However, I can provide the characteristics of each cut to make an informed decision that fits your needs.

If you are looking for a lean and affordable chicken cut, chicken breast is a good option. However, if the breast is not cooked properly, it can be dry and tough. Next is a chicken cutlet. If you need a tendered cut that cooks quickly and evenly, chicken cutlets can be a good option. And finally, if you need a slightly more favorable cut than breast and tenderness in it that also cooks fast, chicken tenderloins are best for you.

Cut Chicken Breast Into Cutlets

Cutting chicken breasts into cutlets is a simple process that requires a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a clean workspace. Here’s how to do it:

• Before you start cutting, wash your hands and sanitize your work area. Make sure that your cutting board and a sharp knife are clean.
• Remove any visible fat, skin, or connective tissue from the chicken breast.
• Place the chicken breast on your cutting board with the smooth side facing up. Hold it steady with one hand, then slice horizontally through the thickest part of the breast. Don’t cut all the way through; you want to create a butterfly shape.
• Once you have cut the chicken breast horizontally, gently open it like a book to reveal two thinner pieces still connected in the middle.
• To make individual cutlets, carefully slice through the middle connection of the two halves to separate them completely. Now you have two thinner cutlets from the initial chicken breast.