Beat It

Even thickness leads to even cooking. A basic meat mallet is a great kitchen tool. This highly rated Amazon find is a winner. But you can pound your protein even if you don't own a meat mallet. Just grab a can, and take out all your frustrations on that chicken breast. Not into attacking your dinner? Carefully slice your protein like a sandwich bun, giving you thinner, more even portions. Or purchase chicken breast cutlets, which are generally nice and even!

... in a skillet
Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Cook your cutlet for about 5 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. You can also use a grill pan like this one. (Grill marks make everything taste better!)

... baked in a foil pack
Cooking your food in a packet of foil cuts down on mess and allows for even cooking. It also results in super-tender chicken, perfect for shredding. Just place the chicken cutlet between two pieces of heavy-duty foil sprayed with nonstick spray, and fold the edges to seal. Bake at 375ºF for 25 minutes, or until cooked through.

... in a slow cooker/Instant Pot
Set it and forget it! If you want to whip up a big pot of protein, consider using a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Just be sure to add some liquid, like chicken broth, to avoid scorching your meat. In a slow cooker, you'll want to cook your chicken for 3–4 hours on high or 7–8 hours on low. And here's a recipe for Instant Pot Garlic ‘n Herb Shredded Chicken!

… in an air fryer
Air fryers are everywhere and for good reason! Want your chicken in an instant (well, nearly…) with no fuss? Place it in your air fryer, and spray with nonstick spray. Set it to 370°F (or the nearest degree), and cook for 18 minutes, or until cooked through.