Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (2024)

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (1)

Chicken is the ultimate dinner winner. It's a staple in family dinner ideas, starring in delicious dishes from spice-roasted chicken to comforting chicken noodle soup. And it's the perfect lean protein when you're looking to serve up healthy dinner recipes any night of the week because it's so speedy to prep. Take these healthy chicken recipes for example, which are packed with vegetables, but serve up plenty of craveable flavor. And most of them are ready in under 30 minutes!

The classic protein gets a flavor boost with the addition of tasty vegetable side dishes, creamy sauces and delicious marinades. With whole grains and heart-healthy veggies, these dishes not only taste incredible, but are well-rounded meals for the whole family. Fast and oh-so-easy to whip up, these chicken dinners are perfect for the busiest of weeknights. From sheet pan meals to slow cooker feasts (toss it in the pot and let it do its thing!) to under 30-minute meals, you’ll find a recipe here for every night of the week — no stress required.

These dishes go beyond chicken breast recipes — we’ve included various cuts of poultry and cooking methods. 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. Rotisserie chicken or grilled 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. Ready for some menu ideas? Check out these must-try healthy chicken ideas to revamp your mundane meals, stat.

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1

Italian-Marinated Chicken

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (2)

Blitz together the vinegary herb dressing and use it as both a marinade for chicken breasts and a flavor infuser for sliced veggies.

Get the Italian-Marinated Chicken recipe.

RELATED: 70 Healthy Lunch Ideas That You Can Whip Up Quickly

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2

Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (3)

Make your own tandoori masala-inspired rub, then put it to work on both juicy chicken breast and crispy cauliflower florets.

Get the Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads recipe.

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3

Chicken with Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes

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This one-pot wonder features a trio of red veggies, which are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease.

Get the Chicken with Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes recipe.

RELATED: 50 Healthy Dinner Ideas for Two Perfect for Date Night

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4

Skillet Lemony Chicken and Artichokes

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This hearty, healthy, one-skillet dish is easy enough for a cozy night in yet impressive enough for guests.

Get the Skillet Lemony Chicken and Artichokes recipe.

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5

Grilled Chicken Caprese

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Add some juicy, grilled protein and sweet corn to make this classic Italian salad into a complete, filling dinner.

Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.

RELATED: 43 Summer Chicken Recipes to Switch It Up All Season

See Also
11 Must-Try Edamame Recipes19 Classic Chicken Recipes Every Home Cook Should Master21 Paleo Chicken Recipes So You’re Not Making the Same Thing Every Week14 Morning Sickness Recipes

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6

Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (7)

Chicken cutlets get a quick lemony twist (read: a 3 minute marinade) then char up on the grill. We even threw kale on the grates for extra flavor.

Get the Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale recipe.

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7

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

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Herby homemade pesto adds so much flavor, you don't need many more ingredients to make these sandwiches great.

Get the Grilled Chicken Sandwiches recipe.

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8

Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes with Roasted Artichokes

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Canned artichokes come in clutch when you're looking at an empty fridge and want to add a vegetable to dinner. Be sure to check the sodium levels on cans before stocking 'em into your pantry.

Get the Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes With Roasted Artichokes recipe.

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9

Crispy Chicken Salad

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (10)

For crunchy "fried" chicken with only a fraction of the calories, we coated breasts with cornflakes and baked them until nice and crisp (and delicious).

Get the Crispy Chicken Salad recipe.

RELATED: 50 Low-Calorie Meals That Don’t Taste Like Diet Food

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10

Harissa Chicken and Farro Salad

This easy, nutritious dinner boasts a double dose of harissa (in the yogurt marinade for the chicken and in the dressing for the farro), which equals deeply savory flavor in each bite.

Get the Harissa Chicken and Farro Salad recipe.

RELATED: 37 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling

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11

Grilled Chicken with Sunflower Seed Satay Sauce

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For a nut-free twist on satay sauce, we swap in sunflower butter for the usual peanut butter.

Get the Grilled Chicken with Sunflower Seed Satay Sauce recipe.

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12

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (13)

Creamy with Vitamin-C-packed artichokes, this five-ingredient dish is a life saver on busy weeknights.

Get the Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe.

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13

Chicken Satay with Spiralized-Carrot Salad

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Spiralize your carrots — or any veggies you have on hand — for an easy, fun side to sweet and spicy chicken skewers.

Get the Chicken Satay With Spiralized-Carrot Salad recipe.

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14

Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers

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Serve this flavorful main with whole grain rice or flatbread for a healthy dinner inspired by the Mediterranean.

Get the Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers recipe.

RELATED: An Easy Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Beginners

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15

Tandoori Chicken

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (16)

Throw this classic Indian dish in the air fryer for juicy and tender chicken in under 30 minutes!

Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.

RELATED: 55 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That You Absolutely Need to Try

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16

Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde

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Simply throw your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it sit to come back to a flavorful, warming bowl of soup — no stress required!

Get the Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde recipe.

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17

Grilled Chicken Skewers and Kale Caesar

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Light and creamy Caesar salad gets a protein boost with grilled chicken skewers in this simple summer meal, ready in under 30 minutes.

Get the Grilled Chicken Skewers and Kale Caesar recipe.

RELATED: 77 Quick Summer Dinner Ideas for an Easy Weeknight Meal

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18

Chicken and Broccoli Parchment Packets

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (19)

Cooking protein in parchments keeps it nice and juicy. Throw some veggies in there for a built-in side!

Get the Chicken and Broccoli Parchment Packets recipe.

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19

Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (20)

Garam masala adds warming heat and lots of flavor.

Get the Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower recipe.

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20

Lemon-Pepper Linguine with Creamy Chicken and Broccoli

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (21)

Use store-bought pasta to make this fit for any weeknight, or try your hand at homemade pasta for dinner and an activity all in one.

Get the Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli recipe.

Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Anything but Boring or Bland (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest thing to cook chicken with? ›

Poached Chicken

Poaching is great because it adds virtually no fat to your food, yet yields subtle flavour and moisture. To poach your chicken, add your ingredients (chicken and any other vegetables, aromatics, and spices you like) to a skillet or pot, and add a cooking liquid such as broth, wine, or coconut milk.

Read On ›
What is the healthiest chicken to eat? ›

In general, skinless chicken breast is considered one of the healthiest cuts of chicken. It is low in fat and calories, yet high in protein and essential nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, and phosphorus.

Explore More ›
What to eat when you are tired of eating chicken? ›

Stop eating chicken (so much)

A little variety might be all you need. Mix up your meals with seafood, beans, tofu, lentils, eggs, low- fat dairy, or even lean cuts of beef. Try out recipes like grilled halibut and strawberry guacamole, lentil Bolognese, or chipotle tofu and pineapple skewers.

View More ›
Can I eat chicken everyday and be healthy? ›

Chicken is a healthy food (as long as it's poached, baked or grilled), but that doesn't mean you should eat it every single day. As both dietitians have explained, eating a wide variety of foods is the best way to give your body the nutrients it needs.

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What is the best chicken to eat to lose weight? ›

The chicken breast is lean and has the most protein by weight, making it ideal for people who want to lose weight, maintain muscle mass and improve recovery. Fattier cuts like the thigh, drumstick and wings have more calories, which make them better for people wanting to build muscle or gain weight.

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What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

Know More ›
How do you make chicken taste better without adding calories? ›

Marinate the chicken: Marinating chicken in a mixture of acid (like lemon juice or vinegar), herbs, and spices can help to infuse flavor into the meat without adding extra fat. You can also use yogurt or buttermilk as a marinade base.

Keep Reading ›
What can I add to chicken breast to make it taste better? ›

Flavor Trick #1: Marinate Whole or Sliced Chicken Breasts for 30 to 90 Minutes Before Cooking
  1. Lemon-Garlic: ¾ cup olive oil + ¼ cup lemon juice + 4 cloves crushed garlic + 1 teaspoon paprika + pinch of salt.
  2. Balsamic: ¾ cup olive oil + ¼ cup balsamic vinegar + 2 teaspoons fresh oregano + pinch of salt.
Oct 13, 2023

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What is the unhealthiest part of the chicken? ›

The highest fat content in a chicken comes from the skin, followed by the wings, which just barely edge out the next-fattiest cut of chicken meat, the thigh. Next up is the drumstick, followed by breast meat, which is the leanest cut of chicken.

Continue Reading ›
Is rotisserie chicken good for you? ›

Even with additives, a rotisserie chicken is a far healthier choice than a fast food run, says Allers. “It's still lower in fat and calories than fast food. It's serving its purpose – it's fast, but it can still help you create a balanced meal.

Learn More Now ›

What is a high protein food to replace chicken? ›

Whole soy foods, such as edamame, tofu, tempeh, soy milk and soy nuts, are great sources of lean protein. Unlike most vegetarian proteins, soy is a complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids for optimal use by your body.

Learn More ›
What can I replace chicken with for protein? ›

9 Vegetarian & Vegan Protein Substitutes
  • Eggplant. Eggplant offers a meaty texture and an earthy, savory (umami) flavor. ...
  • Mushrooms. It's become quite popular to use portobello mushrooms as a substitute for a burger, but mushrooms can do so much more. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Seitan. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Jackfruit.
Nov 30, 2016

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How do you eat healthy if you hate chicken? ›

13 awesome protein-rich foods that aren't chicken
  1. 1) GREEK YOGHURT - TASTES GREAT WITH FRUIT. ...
  2. 2) EAT COTTAGE CHEESE BEFORE BED. ...
  3. 3) EGGS – THE PROTEIN POWERHOUSE. ...
  4. 4) STEAK. ...
  5. 5) LOAD UP ON POTASSIUM WITH YELLOWFIN TUNA. ...
  6. 6) ANCHOVIES AREN'T JUST FOR PIZZA. ...
  7. 7) SARDINES ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF SELENIUM.
Apr 6, 2022

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Is frying or baking chicken healthier? ›

But there's a healthier, equally delicious way to eat comfort food like fried chicken. And it's all thanks to your oven. By cooking chicken in the oven, you'll use little oil, which will minimize heart health risks. Aside from being healthier for your heart, this chicken is also high in protein (8 g per serving).

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What is the healthiest way to cook meat? ›

Grilling, roasting, baking, broiling, steaming, press cooking and slow cooking are some of the healthiest ways to cook meat. And yes, you should avoid deep-frying it. “Avoid marinades and sauces that are high in sugar and sodium,” she adds.

Explore More ›
Is chicken cooked in olive oil healthy? ›

Benefits of frying chicken in olive oil

There are loads of health benefits when it comes to frying with olive oil. The product can help prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It's also an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich.

Keep Reading ›
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