In addition to being smaller and narrower than the breast, the meat is also less plump. So how is the average shopper supposed to know if they’re getting the real thing?Īs we’ve mentioned, the tenderloin has a distinctive shape that can be difficult to mimic, even for an experienced butcher. This brings us to another valid point: Some supermarkets will simply cut chicken breasts into long strips and market them as tenderloins.
#Chicken tenderloin how to#
Chicken Breast vs Tenderloin: How To Tell The Difference If you’re planning to cook your chicken on the grill, the breast is usually the better choice. It’s all too easy to overcook the delicate meat, which can result in a chalky, dry texture. That said, the cook has to be a little bit more careful with recipes that call for tenderloin. Just be sure to slice against the grain-that is, across the breast, so that you wind up with shorter strips. The differences in flavor and texture will be negligible. For this reason, budget-conscious shoppers might want to consider buying whole breasts and cutting them up into smaller pieces. While chicken breasts aren’t exactly a bargain, they’re less expensive than the tenderloins.
Anyone who’s trying to follow a low-salt diet would do better to stick with chicken breast over tenderloin.Īnother noticeable variance between breast and tenderloin can be found at the cash register. While chicken breast is a low-calorie source of magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and vitamins B-6 and D, the tenderloin provides only trace amounts of these nutrients.Ĭhicken tenderloin is also higher in sodium-a crucial distinction for people with hypertension or heart issues. The tenderloin takes another hit in the nutrition department on account of its lower vitamin and mineral content. This makes it an appealing option for athletes who are looking to bulk up on lean protein sources, but decreases its value for diners who are watching their weight. In addition to the size and shape of the meat, the tenderloin differs from the breast in a few important respects.įirst of all, the meat of the tenderloin is higher in calories. For this reason, many people don’t even realize that this is a distinct portion of the bird, and not just a fancy euphemism. The tenderloin is only visible when the breast meat is separated from the bone. Because the white meat of this muscle is exceptionally tender, it earns the nickname “tenderloin.” It’s typically around half the size of the breast itself, with a slim, elongated appearance. The tenderloin is actually a minor muscle located on the breastbone, just behind the major muscle known as pectoralis minor. The answer is fairly straightforward, although there’s certainly a distinction when it comes to chicken breast vs tenderloin. Chicken tenderloin is one of our favorite picks for dishes like slow-cooker chicken tinga tacos and one-pot meals (like our one-pot shawarma chicken and orzo skillet) since they cook up so much more quickly than larger cuts and are great for smaller groups.8 The Bottom Line What Is Chicken Tenderloin? So if you've yet to swap chicken tenders in place of chicken breast for your weeknight standbys, it's time to jump on that.
#Chicken tenderloin free#
Tenders are usually sold along with the chicken breasts or on their own, so you can feel free to use these cuts interchangeably (just slice the chicken breast about 1/2" in thickness) to get the same result in your stir-fries or kebabs. While maybe not as well known as beef tenderloin or pork tenderloin, chicken tenderloin is a super-quick-cooking protein that's great if you're not up to cooking a whole chicken breast.
What is chicken tenderloin, you might be wondering? Chicken tenderloin (AKA chicken tenders or chicken breast tenders) are attached to the chicken breast and, as you might expect, taste exactly the same. Although, don't get us wrong, we do still find plenty of reasons to make these air fryer chicken tenders for dinner and think you should too! Far from it! There's actually some perfectly delicious chicken tenderloin recipes that go so much further than just chicken tenders, like pasta, tacos, and hearty appetizers. Just because you're all grown-up doesn't mean you have to give up your beloved chicken tenders.
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