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    Home > Meal Type > Main Dishes

    Turkish Chicken Breasts

    Last Updated: Jun 27, 2025 · First Published: Mar 30, 2020
    Author: Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts · Comment: 18 Comments

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    4.39 from 92 votes
    PIN IMAGE - a cooked Turkish chicken breast with text overlay
    PIN IMAGE - a cooked Turkish chicken breast with text overlay
    PIN IMAGE - a cooked Turkish chicken breast with text overlay
    PIN IMAGE - a cooked Turkish chicken breast with text overlay

    This Turkish chicken is packed with flavor and is a great family-friendly way to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

    The chicken breasts are filleted (cut into cutlets), so two large chicken breasts will feed four people, making this superb value for money. Plus, filleting the chicken ensures the chicken stays juicy and moist.

    a cooked chicken breast in a skillet

    You can serve these with pilaf and some salad, or stuff them into rolls for an easy and different chicken burger. Chop the chicken up and add it to your lunch meal prep or serve it with some garlic potatoes.

    Another chicken breast recipe! What can I say? You guys love them! My Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Schnitzel is one of the most popular recipes here on Sprinkles and Sprouts, and my Garlic Butter Pasta with Garlic Chicken is always in the top ten most visited posts! 

    overhead view of a cooked chicken breast with seasonings on it

    Just a very short post for me today, because this really is an easy recipe. The hardest part is filleting the chicken breasts. 

    Regular readers will be sick of me filleting chicken breasts!! I do it with nearly all my chicken breast recipes! 

    So quick recap.... 

    Cutting a chicken breast into two fillets cuts down the cooking time, so the chicken stays tender and moist.

    It also makes it cost-effective, as two chicken breasts will serve four people. 

    To fillet a chicken breast, you want to take a sharp knife and cut vertically through the chicken breast. Keep your knife parallel to the board to ensure the fillets are even. (as shown in the picture below) For a more in-depth look at filleting chicken check out my Creamy Mushroom Chicken post.

    Cutting through a chicken breast on a wooden board, to produce two fillets.

    What does Turkish chicken taste like?

    The marinade on the chicken is a rich, warm, almost earthy seasoning that has plenty of garlic, paprika, cumin in it. Add a touch of sweetness, some cinnamon, turmeric, mint, black pepper, and some salt, and you have a delicious blend that turns your plain chicken into a taste explosion.

    You can see my Turkish seasoning blend recipe here but, I have included it in the recipe card as well. Or you can buy a store-bought Turkish blend.

    split picture -chicken breasts in a red marinade in an oval dish
    4 Turkish marinated chicken breasts in a skillet

    What to serve with your chicken

    We like to serve the chicken breasts with a Turkish Pilaf with Orzo and some Saksuka (which is a delicious Turkish side dish, with eggplant, zucchini, and tomato)

    But the chicken is so tender and delicious you could use it in a roll as a different and flavor-packed chicken burger.

    Want to save this recipe?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    charred chicken breast on a bed of pilaf

    Enjoy x

    For more delicious Chicken Breast recipes, try:

    • Persian Chicken Breasts
    • Chicken Fried Chicken
    • Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breasts
    • One Pan Creamy Bacon Chicken
    • Greek Lemon Dill Chicken
    • Creamy Champagne Chicken
    • Baked Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes
    • Honey Pecan Chicken Breasts
    • Easy Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts
    • See ALL chicken breast recipes
    Red pinterest box that says to pin the recipe for later

    If you try these Turkish Chicken Breasts, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I really appreciate it, and it helps others to know that the recipe is trustworthy. 

    Any questions about the recipe? Use the comments section below.

    Get the Recipe

    close up of a cooked chicken breast with Turkish spices on it

    Turkish Chicken Breasts - Recipe

    Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    This Turkish chicken is packed with flavor and is a great family-friendly way to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken breasts are filleted (cut into cutlets), so two large chicken breasts will feed four people, making this superb value for money. Plus, filleting the chicken ensures the chicken stays juicy and moist. Great served with pilaf and salad or chopped up for your lunch prep.
    4.39 from 92 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Marinade time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Turkish
    Servings 4
    Calories 265 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 chicken breasts
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 3 tablespoon Turkish seasoning

    Optional Garnish

    • sesame seeds
    • fresh parsley

    Instructions
     

    Start by Filleting the Chicken

    • Pat the chicken breast dry to stop it sliding about the board.
    • Lay the chicken breast flat on a chopping board.
    • Use a large sharp knife to cut sideways through the breast.
    • Continue to cut through the chicken breast, keeping the knife flat and parallel to the chopping board.
    • Carefully cut through until you have two plump fillets.
    • If you find they are not an even thickness, you can use a meat mallet (or a heavy pan) to bash the plumper end down.

    Marinate the chicken

    • Pour the olive oil into a non-metallic dish and mix in the Turkish seasoning.
    • Once well combined, add the four chicken fillets.
    • Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.

    To cook the chicken

    • Place a heavy-based frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook on one side without moving for 4 minutes.
    • Flip the chicken and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1813IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition is per serving

    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout

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    Comments

    1. Kelly says

      September 22, 2024 at 7:31 pm

      5 stars
      I recently tried out the Turkish chicken breasts recipe and I have to say, it was a winner with my family! We love to experiment with new and interesting flavors, but being southern born and bred, we also appreciate a good potato salad and some brussels on the side. The flavors in this dish were a perfect match for all of those side dishes!

      The chicken was cooked perfectly and the blend of spices and herbs was definitely unique, but still familiar enough that it didn't feel too out of our comfort zone. My boys are usually picky eaters, but they absolutely loved this dish!

      I highly recommend giving this Turkish chicken breasts recipe a try - it's something a little different that will spice up your weekly meal rotation!

      Reply
    2. Rosy says

      May 17, 2024 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      If you're looking for a super moist and tender chicken breast recipe then I recommend you give this a go! My go to meal now! My kids really enjoyed it too. Thanks!

      Reply
    3. Debbie says

      December 11, 2023 at 1:26 pm

      I was wondering what the recipe is for the rice as it looks delicious as well. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

        December 19, 2023 at 1:26 pm

        Hi Debbie,
        You can find the recipe for the rice here https://www.sprinklesandsprouts.com/orzo-pilaf/
        Cx

        Reply
    4. Sheri says

      October 23, 2023 at 6:57 pm

      I read another version of this recipe. I click on the link for the seasoning and upon return this was the offering. May I have the version that used honey

      Reply
      • Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

        October 23, 2023 at 11:34 pm

        Hi Sheri,
        My Turkish chicken breasts have never had honey in them. Did you perhaps look at my Persian Chicken Breasts?

        Reply
    5. Dianne says

      September 25, 2023 at 1:48 am

      I have the chicken marinading for 24 hrs but found out I'm not cooking tonight....is it OK to marinade for another day?
      Thanks
      P.S.--I got this recipe from a friend who made it and she loved it!

      Reply
      • Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

        September 25, 2023 at 7:34 am

        Hi Dianne,

        The chicken will perfectly okay to marinate for an extra 24 hours. As long as the chicken is fresh enough to keep for another day.
        You can also freeze the chicken in the marinade if you don’t think it will get used.
        Hope that helps
        Cx

        Reply
    6. jen says

      November 16, 2021 at 11:30 pm

      5 stars
      I hate skinny cooks - I see you haven't missed any meals! Good Recipe. Thanks

      Reply
    7. Yvonne says

      May 17, 2021 at 12:07 am

      I made your Turkish chicken breasts & was so pleased with the results. Can I do the same with a whole chicken in the oven

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        May 17, 2021 at 4:42 pm

        You could definitely use the seasoning on a whole chicken in the oven! I think that would taste amazing!!
        Great idea Cx

        Reply
    8. Sharina says

      March 17, 2021 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      We have no leftover with these Turkish Chicken Breasts! Perfectly seasoned and cooked, turned out to be so tender and juicy. New addition to our dinner rotation!

      Reply
    9. Sharon says

      February 18, 2021 at 6:06 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! Such wonderful flavour. I added some cayenne pepper to the Turkish seasoning as you suggested and my husband loved it! Thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 23, 2021 at 8:48 am

        Thank you Sharon!
        So pleased you and your hubby loved the seasoning.
        Isn't the extra heat from the cayenne great 🙂
        Cx

        Reply
    10. Amanda says

      February 17, 2021 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, my gosh, this chicken turned out so good! I made it for dinner last night and couldn't have been happier. I always find whole boneless chicken breasts are a bit too much, so filleting them was the perfect solution. The chicken was nice and juicy and that marinade — so, so flavorful and easy to whip up.

      Reply
    11. Shelley says

      October 27, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Ohh I had never used Turkish seasoning before but this chicken came out so juicy and perfectly seasoned that it'll be on rotation from now on!

      Reply
    12. Connie Lee says

      July 03, 2020 at 2:35 am

      When I pound meat I use a standard size rollin pin. I found that it is faster and I I am able to achieve more even thickness .

      Reply
      • the sigma says

        October 09, 2024 at 4:46 am

        3 stars
        It's not sigma, too expensive.

        Reply
    4.39 from 92 votes (84 ratings without comment)

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    I'm Claire and I love food!!


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