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.

chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless

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)

Amount per Serving

Calories 231Calories from Fat 44

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 5.0g 8%

Saturated Fat 1.4g 7%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 119mg 40%

Sodium 103mg 4%

Total Carbohydrate 0.0g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0.0

Protein 43.4g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 2% • Iron 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find boneless chicken breasts: 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.

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

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

Poultry Products

Chicken pieces 91 Ground chicken 23 Chicken 1213 Chicken meat, cooked 40 Chicken thighs, boneless, skinless 146 Chicken, whole 226 Chicken breast halves, boneless, skin-on 14 Chicken tenders 27 Chicken breasts 1188 Chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless 800

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.

Nice Chicken Taco Soup

This is an excellent recipe, low in fat and full of fibre.

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.

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.

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!

Burn Your Bra Chicken Breast (A 70's tribute)

Quick 'n easy chicken breast recipe that only uses a few common pantry ingredients. Pair it with rice and veggies and you can have it ready in 20 minutes or so.

Old El Paso - Spicy Rice & Chicken Enchiladas

Spicy succulent strips of chicken, onion and peppers mixed with sweetcorn, rice and cheese served in a warm tortilla. A great sharing dish – help yourself to a couple of enchiladas and eat with a fresh green salad, scatter with the rest of the grated cheese.

Chicken, Pepper & Tomatoes

Very quick and easy to prepare, a perfect simple week-night chicken dinner. Nice contrasting textures from the celery, carrots and sweet bell peppers.

Sweet Chili Lime Chicken with Cilantro Couscous

"Chicken breast cubes simmered in a sweet and spicy lime-soy glaze are served with cilantro couscous in this quick and easy supper."

Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry

Chicken stir fry with broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and bell pepper in a savory onion soup-mix sauce. A pantry-friendly weeknight dinner in 30 minutes.

Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables

This was very easy to prepare, but I would double the chili paste next time and add some "red" to it- i.e. red bell pepper or carrots.

Crockpot Sweet & Sour Chicken Stew with Sweet Peppers

Juicy pineapple, sweet peppers, chicken breasts and carrots in a sweet and sour sauce. Easy slow cooker prep.

Walnut Chicken/Shrimp Stir-Fry

So quick and easy to put together, and it tastes delicious with a good amount of flavorful sauce that's perfect with a bed of rice. Don't have Chinese cabbage? Use bok choy or other similar leafy greens, or even broccoli instead.

Chicken Mushroom Quesadillas

An easy Mexican-style chicken, mushrooms and spinach between crispy tortillas.

Sesame Chicken Fingers

Super quick, and fuss-free. Loved the idea of using parmesan and sesame seeds, also added some garlic powder and black pepper to give the chicken fingers more flavor. I used equal amount of honey and mustard, the sauce was sweet enough for me. An easy and tasty snack that both kids and grown-ups love to have.

Nutty Chicken Fingers

Super quick and easy to make, and these chicken fingers came out delicious. The aroma during the cooking made the whole house smell great...

Soft Black Bean Tostadas

This was very quick and simple to make and the flavor was wonderful...

Chicken with Stir-Fry Vegetables

Chicken with stir-fry vegetables tosses sliced chicken breast with celery, carrots, red bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, and water chestnuts in a lemon teriyaki glaze. Quick wok dinner ready in 40 minutes.

Tandoori Spiced Chicken Breast with Grilled Tomato Jam & Herbed Yogurt Sauce

Absolutely worth the effort of preparation. The chicken tasted so delicious and packed with flavor. No need to order take-out from now on. This homemade tandoori chicken is as yummy as the restaurant one.

Pesto Chicken Florentine

Extremely rich combination of chicken, spinach and creamy pesto sauce. Serve with crunchy bread and romaine salad.

Thai Chicken Curry With Pineapple

I love curry but I like it simple with lots of curry sauce. This is easy and delicious

Mama Delilah's Jammin Jambalaya

Nothing says lovin like some spicy Louisiana cooking. I absolutely LOVE making this when I have the time. I'm toning down the amount of creole seasoning that I use, because I tend to be a little heavy handed with it. The amount is an approximate - season to your taste. Fell free to substitute cajun seasoning for the creole. It's all about personal preference. Enjoy!!