In this study, the carboxymethyl porous starch (CMS) synthesized from the corn starch was used as coating material. The inclusion complex of cinnamaldehyde with CMS (CA/CMS) was prepared and its structure was characterized. The results showed that cinnamaldehyde was successfully packed in the porous structure of CMS. A Layerbylayer selfassembly technique using chitosan, a cationic biopolymer with antimicrobial property, was used to encapsulate the anionic CMS. A novel cinnamaldehyde “CA/CMSChitosan” microcapsule was obtained. Its antimicrobial activity and effects on chicken breast fillets preservation were investigated. The results showed that this cinnamaldehyde microcapsule had a broadspectrum antibacterial activity. It can effectively prolong the shelf life for chicken preservation.