Our bet is that chicken breast recipes are a staple at your house. And if that’s true, then it’s also likely that this go-to protein can sometimes become blah if it’s served too frequently. No more! The trick is to rely on different seasonings, sources of heat and serving suggestions to change things up — and we’ve got you covered there. This collection of healthy chicken recipes can get you through months of nutritious meals (really!) without anyone feeling bored.
Easy Healthy Recipes With Chicken
Transform the versatile poultry into flavorful entrées fit for family dinners with the help of delicious seasonings, sauces, healthy side dishes and the occasional cheesy stuffing. Whether you’re looking for an easy sheet pan dinner or set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker feasts, we’ve got ideas for every appetite. And so many of these include heart-healthy veggies, beans and whole grains for a well-rounded meal.
Skinless, boneless chicken can form the basis of any healthy eating plan, as it’s an excellent source of protein that’s low in saturated fat and high in the essential nutrient choline. Grilled or rotisserie chicken will boast better nutritional benefits than breaded or fried versions — but we love those options for comforting meals that still contain an impressive protein punch. Feel free to switch it up between chicken breasts and chicken thighs, which are high in iron. Ready for some menu ideas? Check out these must-try healthy chicken ideas to revamp your mundane meals, stat.
If the thought of a plain, boring chicken breast makes you want to roll your eyes, you need to check this list, STAT. We’ve got healthy versions of your favorites (lightened up chicken parm, anyone?), plus salads, lettuce wraps, skillet dinners, and more. Don’t drag your feet when it comes to chicken. The key is to buy from a high quality store and always opt for chicken thighs— they’re just tastier. If you you haven’t perfected your roast chicken this is your time to shine. Oh, and don’t forget to save all those bones and toss them into a stock to stick in your freezer. Chicken stock has a massive amount of collagen(bye wrinkles), and besides being super good for your skin—it’s sooooo hydrating!
There’s a few tips and tricks we like to do to maximize chicken recipes but our number one is to double up on your marinade. If you are going to make the effort of blending and making a marinade—you may as well make a double batch. Grab some extra chicken thighs or whatever you’re using—and throw a few of those marinated portion sized Ziplocks into the freezer. They will be a savior that one night when you don’t feel like cooking.
Get ready for your chicken meals to be super elevated soon—there’s only so many times you can make that lemon chicken after all. To round out your meal, make one of our best side dishes for chicken and finish with a healthy dessert!
1. 30 Minute Chicken Caprese
This bright and flavorful dish features my favorite caprese salad ingredients ingredients and store-bought pesto with boneless chicken breasts for a quick-to-make dinner that’s perfect for weeknights.
2. Thai Chicken and Cucumber Salad
This simple, refreshing salad is a favorite all year long with tender chicken cooked in a lighter Thai flavored sauce to make a crunchy salad that makes a meal.
3. Chicken Fajitas
These easy, one-skillet, restaurant-level fajitas only take 30 minutes to make, and are so legit. The key to their awesome flavor is the simple homemade fajita seasoning mix and the almighty cast iron skillet.
4. Vietnamese Curry Chicken and Rice Noodle Salad Bowl
This clean and fresh noodle salad gets its savory flavor from curried chicken dressed with the most addicting lime and rice vinegar dressing and fresh herbs. Tons of fresh veggies and peanuts give it an irresistible crunch.
5. Easy Chicken Breasts with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This isn’t your same-old, same-old chicken dinner recipe. Pan fry chicken breasts in a creamy mushroom sauce and serve alongside orzo and asparagus for a go-to dinner idea no matter the time of year.
6. Thai Basil Chicken Recipes
You’re just a few easy steps away from a spicy dinner that highlights authentic Thai flavors – think fresh ginger, Thai basil and a coconut sauce – and works perfectly over rice or noodles.
7. Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl with Broccoli and Tomato
This healthy, Mediterranean-inspired chicken quinoa bowl is perfect for quick and easy meal-prep dinners. Plus, it’s flexible enough to mix and match ingredients for take-to-work lunches that never get boring.
8. Easy Chicken Piccata
An Italian classic! This easy chicken piccata is topped with a lemon-caper sauce for a light, bright dinner. With just 10 minutes prep time and 10 minutes cooking time, it’ll be on your plate, ready to be devoured, in nearly no time at all.
9. Thai Coconut Chicken and Rice
How easy is this one-pot recipe? So easy. This chicken and rice recipe puts a load of healthy ingredients into one slurpable bowl. Serve it over rice or noodles for the perfect chopstick practicing exercise. Win/win/win.
Baked and Roasted Chicken Recipes
Whether it’s a sheet pan chicken dinners or a classic roast chicken, you can’t go wrong.
10. The Best Baked Chicken Breast
Whether you’re working on making your weekly meal prep easier, or need a quick and simple recipe for weeknight dinners, this recipe has all my secrets for the best baked chicken breast guaranteed to come out perfectly juicy every single time.
11. Roasted Chicken, Butternut Squash and Guacamole Rice Bowls
Sheet pan roasted chicken breasts, butternut squash, and red onion served with black beans, brown rice and guacamole make this a healthy, hearty meal in a bowl that is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
12. Cast-Iron Skillet Whole Roasted Chicken with Potatoes
Place a whole chicken in an already-hot cast iron skillet with sliced potatoes and onions for an ultra-easy meal that’s ready in just one hour. Best yet, you’ll have plenty of leftovers to repurpose for lunches throughout the week.
13. Baked Chicken Parmesan
This easy, super delicious chicken Parmesan is baked instead of fried, but is just as crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. If you’re trying to cut down on carbs, serve it over a bed of zucchini noodles or roasted spaghetti squash.
14. Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing
This Chinese Chicken Salad takes the lighter road than the heavier versions I always see at those popular food chains that everyone loves. It’s made with crunchy romaine, wontons, and an almond crunch, and is topped with protein-packed chicken breast, pasta noodles, and a killer sesame dressing you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
15. 40 Cloves of Garlic Roast Chicken Recipes
Garlic lovers, rejoice! Even if you don’t love garlic, you will after making this chicken dinner. The garlic mellows when roasted alongside a whole chicken, becoming soft, buttery and surprisingly sweet.
16. Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Breast
The best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it to your family’s tastes. Love barbecue? Craving tangy salt and vinegar? Keeping it real with ranch? Add some creamy mac and cheese and steamed broccoli for a delightfully kid-friendly dinner.
17. Easy Tandoori Chicken with Vegetables
This version of the classic Indian tandoori chicken dinner is baked on a sheet pan with Indian spiced vegetables for a simple and complete meal any night of the week. Don’t forget the naan!
18. Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets
Quick and easy to prep, these chicken fajita foil packet dinners with a simple homemade fajita seasoning mix are cooked on the grill or in the oven and ready to eat in just about 30 minutes.
19. Whole Oven Roasted Chicken With Lemon Rosemary Garlic Butter
Tender and juicy, this whole roasted chicken is brushed with lemon rosemary garlic butter and stuffed with fresh aromatics, all using ingredients you likely already have at home. Bonus: as the bird cooks, your house will smell amazing.
20. Beyond Easy Chicken Mole Enchiladas
This super easy, no-cook, homemade mole sauce is made from scratch, and gives regular chicken enchiladas a delicious twist for a super fast Mexican dinner to meal prep or even throw together for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Grilled Chicken Recipes
No matter what time of year it is, chicken is always worth firing up the grill for.
21. Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
This grilled cilantro lime chicken recipe delivers lots of flavor thanks to a quick marinade, and with just 7 ingredients and 3 steps, it’s easy enough to cook any night of the week. I love serving it with quinoa or rice and a yummy salad.
22. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado
A simple balsamic dressing does double duty as a marinade for the chicken in this light and healthy, fresh avocado and strawberry spinach salad that I love for lunch or dinner, all year-round!
23. The Best BBQ Chicken
The best BBQ chicken breast recipe doesn’t call for complicated marinades or rubs, it’s all about this easy on-the-grill or in-the-oven cooking method sweetened with BBQ sauce for moist and juicy chicken breasts every time. It’s perfect with your favorite sides, or in this BBQ chicken salad.
24. Grilled Greek Chicken Kebabs
Boneless, skinless chicken breast marinated in the traditional Greek flavors of lemon, garlic and oregano then threaded on skewers with a few veggies makes these grilled chicken kebabs an easy and healthy weeknight dinner winner.
25. The Best Greek Chicken Marinade
This zingy garlic, lemon, and oregano Greek marinade is one of my favorites. It packs some serious flavor! Whether you use it for chicken that’s grilled, baked, or pan-fried, you really can’t go wrong. Serve it over a hearty Greek salad or try it alongside some grilled veggies and orzo with fresh dill, mint, and feta.
