Looking to add more protein to your meals in a healthy way? Chicken is a versatile option that can be fried, baked, shredded for tacos, or added to your favorite noodle dishes. While dining out may offer tempting chicken-centered dishes, they often come with added fats and sodium. To maintain nutritional value and flavor, consider trying these healthy chicken recipes right in your kitchen.
Chicken is prized for being a lean protein compared to beef or pork. For instance, a 4-ounce serving of skinless chicken breast offers about 26 grams of protein and only one gram of fat. However, cooking chicken breast alone can result in a bland dish.
Thankfully, with the help of these tasty yet healthy chicken recipes, you can enjoy the benefits of lean protein without sacrificing flavor. Discover more inspiration below, and for additional nutritious recipes, explore our collection of 34 High-Protein Breakfasts That Keep You Full.
Healthier Grilled Caesar Salad
You may be used to Caesar salads that are doused in dressing and don’t offer much nutritional value at all, but this healthy chicken recipe is different. The dressing is made from scratch, so you know exactly what’s going in it, and you can control how much dressing is used. Plus, the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and olives will give you a boost of flavor and nutrients.
Get our recipe for Grilled Caesar Salad.
RELATED: 15 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes You Can Make in Minutes
Mexican Quinoa and Chicken Salad
This recipe is the perfect way to get protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants all in one meal. What many people don’t realize—but is an added bonus—is that quinoa is the only grain that is also considered a complete protein, meaning you’re getting all of the essential amino acids through this food, which you wouldn’t get with other types of grains.
Get our recipe for Mexican Quinoa Salad.
The Best-Ever Oven-Fried Chicken
Southerners may grunt and grumble about the travesty of “fried” chicken not being cooked in big skillets of melted lard, but we’d bring this crispy, succulent bird to a church potluck in Savannah without batting an eye. A long soak in buttermilk spiked with hot sauce both tenderizes and flavors the meat, while the spiced panko provides a layer of captivating crunch. We won’t go as far as to say you won’t taste the difference (properly fried chicken has a depth of flavor that stretches straight to your soul), but we can confidently say that this chicken hits the spot.
Get our recipe for Oven-Fried Chicken.
Best-Ever Healthier Chicken Pot Pie
Pot pies will forever be one of America’s favorite comfort foods. Still, you don’t want to waste an entire day’s worth of calories, fat, and sodium in just one meal, which is what ends up happening in many restaurant renditions. We take the opposite approach, cutting the calories and fat in a pot pie you will still love.
Get our recipe for Best-Ever Healthier Chicken Pot Pie.
Healthier Orange Chicken
This version slashes the calorie count of your usual orange chicken takeout. So, enjoy a healthier take on this classic Chinese takeout dish with our easy-to-make orange chicken recipe.
Get our recipe for Healthier Orange Chicken.
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Roast Chicken and Vegetables With Fall Spices
There’s something about the smell of roasting chicken, potatoes, and butternut squash that make you nostalgic. It reminds you of crisp fall days, huddled up with sweaters, sipping on a cup of warm soup, and enjoying a flavorful roast. Another plus side? This roast chicken with vegetables is naturally gluten-free and low in calories.
Get our recipe for Roast Chicken and Vegetables with Fall Spices.
Pesto Chicken With a Garden Salad
This is a picture-perfect weeknight meal of chicken breasts topped with mozzarella cheese and pesto sauce. Pesto, made from basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts, adds rich, satiating, heart-healthy unsaturated fats to the dinner. And the peppery bite of arugula, fresh tomato, and red onion are the perfect complement to the gooey melted cheese.
Get our recipe for Pesto Chicken with a Garden Salad.
Harvest Pizza With Chicken, Grapes, and Goat Cheese
Need to use up the leftover cooked chicken in your fridge? This harvest pizza recipe is the perfect way to do so! Mixed with refreshing grapes, fennel, goat cheese, and arugula, this harvest pizza is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Get our recipe for Harvest Pizza with Chicken, Grapes, and Goat Cheese.
Crunchy Popcorn Chicken With Spicy Chipotle Aioli
We use almond flour, chopped almonds, and a flaky spelt cereal to create a unique crunchy combo that adheres beautifully to little pieces of chicken. While many traditional crunchy chicken recipes use cornflakes, spelt flakes are lower in carbs and provide a toasted, nutty flavor.
Get our recipe for Crunchy Popcorn Chicken with Spicy Chipotle Aioli.
Tomato Chicken Curry With Cauliflower Rice
Looking for something on the spicier side? By using jalapeño in the recipe, this chicken curry comes with a slight kick, but between the sweetness of the coconut milk and the acidity of the crushed tomatoes, this tomato chicken curry recipe is the perfect dinner dish no matter what season you’re in.
Get our recipe for Tomato Chicken Curry With Cauliflower Rice.
Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing beats a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup on a sick day, does it? Especially if it can be cooked with minimal effort! This Crock-Pot chicken noodle soup recipe is the perfect meal to make you feel better as you’re healing.
Get our recipe for Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.
Chicken Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms and Spinach
A big bowl of ramen sounds like the perfect meal for a rainy night, right? Well, if you’re paleo, ordering a bowl of ramen isn’t always an option. Nevertheless, a simple swap from noodles to zucchini noodles (also known as zoodles!) can easily solve that salty ramen craving.
Get our recipe for Chicken Ramen With Shiitake Mushrooms and Spinach.
Healthy Crispy Chicken Breasts
Is there anything more delicious than fried chicken? That crispy, salty goodness, the juiciness of the meat…you don’t need to do much to make it a delicious meal. But fried chicken is often filled with extra calories and fat, making it one food you may not want to eat on a regular basis. If you’re still craving that crunchy meat, though, you’ll love this crispy chicken recipe. Baked in the oven, this healthy chicken recipe is better than the typical fried stuff.
Get our recipe for Healthy Crispy Chicken Breasts.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili
If there’s one meal you should truly master making in your slow cooker, it’s chili. Nothing is more comforting than a warm, fiery chili, and we found a way to bring unique flavors to the classic dish by really elevating basic chili with the addition of pumpkin and chicken.
Get our recipe for Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili.
Air Fryer Sesame Soy Garlic Chicken Wings
This recipe for air-fried chicken wings makes a tender wing with a crisp exterior that holds up to a sesame soy garlic glaze. There’s no batter and no vat of oil—just some crispy chicken tossed in a spicy sauce.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Sesame Soy Garlic Chicken Wings.
Rotisserie Chicken Parm Casserole
The genius of getting a whole rotisserie chicken is that it can be used in a multitude of different flavor profiles and dishes—it’s like a blank, protein-filled canvas. This healthy chicken recipe is a simplified version of the iconic dish that’ll be ready in about 30 minutes (but equally hearty as the original).
Get our recipe for Chicken Parm Casserole.
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Garam Masala Chicken Skewers With Fire-Roasted Jalapeño Dip
Ready to kick your appetizer game up a notch? This recipe for garam chicken masala skewers will do just the trick. Thanks to the flavorful seasoning, these chicken skewers are anything but basic.
Get our recipe for Garam Masala Chicken Skewers With Fire-Roasted Jalapeno Dip.
Rotisserie Chicken, Kale, and White Bean Salad
The easiest way to make sure you’re eating a healthy dinner is to plan ahead, and you can make meal prep even easier by buying a rotisserie chicken and using it in several different ways to create a nutritious plate. This salad is a great example and is not only quick and easy to make, but it’s full of flavor, too.
Get our recipe for Rotisserie Chicken, Kale, and White Bean Salad.
RELATED: How Long Is Rotisserie Chicken Good For? We Asked the Experts
Chicken Marinades
Bored of making the same chicken recipe over and over again? Never fear, chicken marinades are here! These delicious marinade ideas are the perfect way to switch up your usual chicken routine with just a few splashes of oil, vinegar, juices, and more. Add in a few healthy side dishes, and you have yourself an easy dinner!
Get our recipes for 8 Chicken Marinades.
Baked Fiery Buffalo Wings
Sometimes, you just really crave a classic dish, and it doesn’t get more classic than some Buffalo wings. This version isn’t fried like most wings tend to be, and is instead a baked version, which cuts the fat content significantly. It’s also easier, cheaper (no oil for frying), and tastier this way, too.
Get our recipe for Baked Fiery Buffalo Wings.
Chicken Mole Enchiladas
Authentic Mexican food can be incredibly healthy, as the dishes usually consist of tons of fresh produce and lean proteins. These enchiladas are not only easier to make than the Americanized versions served in most restaurants, but they’re tastier and contain fewer calories, staying true to their roots.
Get our recipe for Chicken Mole Enchiladas.
Low-Calorie Chicken and Black Bean Nachos
If you order a plate of nachos at a restaurant, you’re most likely going to end up with soggy tortilla chips that are drowning in cheese, sour cream, and oily ground beef. This version ensures that every chip is evenly covered with protein-packed chicken and fiber-rich beans, plus enough salsa, lime-spiked sour cream, and cheese to keep your mouth watering.
Get our recipe for Chicken and Black Bean Nachos.
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Crispiest Stuffed Chicken
This is one common restaurant chicken dish that you’ll typically find infused with cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing, ruining any shot you have at a good day of eating. Apply those same appealing flavors at home to crispy stuffed chicken breast, filled with veggies and pine nuts, and you’ll escape unscathed.
Get our recipe for the Crispiest Stuffed Chicken.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Chimichurri Sauce
This is one chicken sandwich you can’t get at the local drive-thru! It brings a ton of flavor, thanks to the chimichurri sauce it’s dressed in. And along with a solid supporting cast of sweet peppers, sharp raw onions, and peppery greens, you can’t beat this dish that comes in at only 310 calories.
Get our recipe for Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Chimichurri Sauce.
Rotisserie Chicken Tacos With Salsa Verde
Everyone loves rotisserie chicken, and it’s a fast and easy go-to for dinner when you’re in a pinch with no prep needed. But once you’re ready to get back in the kitchen, turn to this great chicken tacos recipe that you can use with leftover pieces of the meat. Tossed with a good dose of mildly spicy salsa verde, these tacos bring a ton of flavor.
Get our recipe for Rotisserie Chicken Tacos with Salsa Verde.
Chicken Salad Sandwich With Raisins and Curry Powder
Chicken salad is often just doused in mayo, but this version is unlike the one you’ll find at your local sandwich shop. It uses a modest amount of olive-oil-based mayo, then adds in plump golden raisins and curry powder for a sweet and savory combo. Make a big batch of the salad as part of your weekly meal planning and enjoy it stuffed into other sandwiches, in pitas, or even atop a bowl of mixed greens.
Get our recipe for Chicken Salad Sandwich with Raisins and Curry Powder.
Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Chicken buried in mushrooms and cream is the type of dish that’s at home in a country kitchen as well as in an upscale city restaurant. We combine elements from both ends of the spectrum: brown mushrooms and chicken stock from the country, a touch of sherry, and some dried mushrooms from the city. The combination of Greek yogurt and half-and-half gives the sauce richness and a velvety texture, without weighing it down.
Get our recipe for Creamy Mushroom Chicken.
Grilled Chicken With Cranberries and Avocado Salad
Sometimes, salads can end up being calorie bombs in disguise, especially if you decide to order one at a restaurant. So how about you make a salad right at home that keeps it the healthy meal it should be? This recipe is rich in protein, and it is guaranteed to cut the number of calories you’d have on a salad you order in a restaurant in half.
Get our recipe for Grilled Chicken With Cranberries and Avocado Salad.
RELATED: White Meat vs Dark Meat Chicken: Which Is Better for You?
Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Craving pizza? Allow yourself to indulge by adding some chicken to it! This recipe is inspired by California Pizza Kitchen’s Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, and as good as theirs is, we’re confident this barbecue chicken pizza recipe rivals the original. Plus, it’s cheaper to make at home and has just a third of the calories.
Get our recipe for Barbecue Chicken Pizza.
Chicken and Dumplings
Nothing screams comfort quite like chicken and dumplings. This recipe features root vegetables, savory broth, shredded chicken, a roux to thicken the soup base, and, you guessed it, fluffy dumplings.
Get our recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.
Loaded Alfredo Pasta With Chicken and Vegetables
We put a healthy spin on a typical Alfredo dish you would find at a restaurant. We ditched the cream base and made a basic béchamel sauce with flour, milk, butter, and Parmesan in our version of an Alfredo pasta recipe. And with chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes added in, you won’t be overstuffed once you’re done eating this pasta dish, but happily and healthily content.
Get our recipe for Loaded Alfredo Pasta With Chicken and Vegetables.
Chicken Parm with Spinach
In this healthy chicken recipe, we serve chicken parmesan with garlicky spinach in place of the pasta, which not only cuts calories and boosts nutrition but also adds a flavor punch that pairs perfectly with the saucy chicken.
Get our recipe for Chicken Parm With Spinach.
Chicken Panini With Pesto and Peppers
Keep it simple with this chicken panini recipe. A light, healthy spread like pesto, a low-calorie cheese, and a layer of lean white meat chicken. You certainly can’t go wrong with that!
Get our recipe for Chicken Panini With Pesto and Peppers.
Chinese Chicken Salad
This is no doubt one of the most popular salads in America, sharing space on menus at four-star restaurants and Wendy’s alike. Here we have a lighter version of the Chinese chicken salad that isn’t bogged down by too much dressing and too many fried noodles. You can use your favorite Asian-inspired dressing or even make your own.
Get our recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad.
Roasted Chicken Wings in an Asian Marinade
In this roasted chicken wings recipe, we soak the chicken in an Asian marinade, then roast (not deep frying already makes these so much healthier) them at high temperature in the oven to crisp them up. This option saves you many calories, but will still give you the taste you crave.
Get our recipe for Roasted Chicken Wings in an Asian Marinade.
RELATED: This Is Exactly How Long You Should Be Marinating Chicken, According to Chefs
Tastiest Sunday Roast Chicken
You don’t have to wait until Sunday to whip up this dish! The key to this roasted chicken is seasoning it long before you start cooking so that it will create a juicier roast. Then serve with butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, or any of your other favorite vegetables.
Get our recipe for Tastiest Sunday Roast Chicken.
Simple Chicken Greek Salad
This Greek salad recipe is both hearty and healthy without adding any heavy, high-calorie ingredients. And if you double the recipe, you’ll be able to serve yourself a few spoonfuls for lunch each day and be set. Plus, you can use freshly cooked chicken or leftovers from the rotisserie chicken you brought home.
Get our recipe for Simple Chicken Greek Salad.
Seared Chicken Pizzaioli
We lighten up this chicken dish by ditching the breading (which gets soggy underneath the sauce anyway) and searing the chicken instead of frying it. A ladle of red sauce and a thin layer of bubbling mozzarella rounds the dish out for a twist on classic comfort food that’s actually good for you.
Get our recipe for Seared Chicken Pizzaioli.
Spicy Thai Chicken With Basil
This Thai classic gets its flavor from chiles, garlic, and fresh herbs. They’re all nutritional powerhouses that make for a next-level flavor experience that trumps any basic stir-fry, at least in the health department! Place over a bed of lettuce or some rice for a complete meal.
Get our recipe for Spicy Thai Chicken with Basil.
Red Chile Chicken Enchiladas
When you’re in the mood for some Mexican food, it’s always a good idea to make beloved dishes right at home. That way, you’re in control and can make them much healthier than any version you would be served at a restaurant. Thankfully, that’s exactly what this red chile chicken enchilada recipe does.
Get our recipe for Red Chile Chicken Enchiladas.
RELATED: 20+ Healthy Sheet Pan Chicken Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss
Flavorful Provençal Chicken
This is the type of simple, healthy, satisfying meal that gives Mediterranean cooking its reputation as the perfect blend of flavor and nutrition. With white wine, tomatoes, olives, and herbs, this healthy chicken recipe has the soul of southern France in every bite.
Get our recipe for Flavorful Provençal Chicken.
Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore gets all its delicious flavor from a stew of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and wine. So, not only is this a dish that will make your tastebuds soar, but it’s healthy for you, too. And that is the true sign of a meal you will happily turn to again and again.
Get our recipe for Chicken Cacciatore.
Classic Herb Roast Chicken With Root Vegetables
This roast chicken recipe produces a bird so moist that no other will compare. Plus, it’s simple enough to make on a weeknight. It’s best with root vegetables like carrots that you can roast in the oven, but if you’re not a fan of these orange veggies, you can replace them with things like Brussels sprouts, zucchini, eggplant, etc.
Get our recipe for Classic Herb Roast Chicken With Root Vegetables.
Basque Chicken
This dish combines some of the great flavors of northern Spain—smoked paprika, sweet peppers, and piquant chorizo—in a slow-cooked stew that could warm even the most frigid of souls. We put our own spin on the basque chicken with the addition of dark beer, which brings a great flavor that will leave your taste buds in awe and your guests wanting more.
Get our recipe for Basque Chicken.
Easiest Chicken Adobo
This may be the easiest chicken recipe of all time. The key is to reduce the sauce down to a syrup thick enough to cling to the chicken, as that will infuse your meal with a huge jolt of savory garlic-soy flavor. Pair with a side of veggies, and you’ll be set for the perfect dinner. This dish also goes great with brown rice, but any type of grain will do.
Get our recipe for Easiest Chicken Adobo.
Mediterranean-Inspired Baked Chicken With Tomatoes and Capers
This baked chicken breast recipe will have you roasting the meat with tomatoes and capers, then olive oil basting the chicken in a savory broth, which keeps the meat moist as it’s topped with a chunky, textured sauce. And it’s made in just one baking dish, making for easy cleanup!
Get our recipe for Mediterranean-Inspired Baked Chicken With Tomatoes and Capers.
Chicken Under a Brick
Gone are the days of drowning your chicken in a bottled barbecue sauce! Instead, this basic, rustic way of grilling chicken—no special sauces or condiments needed—gives you tons of flavor without the added calories. All you need is a brick or two and aluminum foil. Why does this work so well? That kind of extra weight from the brick pushes the chicken down evenly, which results in juicier meat and a crispy skin that no one can resist.
Get our recipe for Chicken Under a Brick.
Chicken Burger With Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli
We know chicken burgers can err on the side of bland, so this recipe takes the basic patty up a notch with a sun-dried tomato aioli sauce. It stays low-calorie, but it adds a rich texture and flavor to the chicken without overpowering the patty. Once you make this sauce, you’ll want to put it on everything.
Get our recipe for a Chicken Burger With Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli.
Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Sandwich
Those who love sweet and spicy things are up for a real treat with this sandwich. Between teriyaki-glazed chicken, sweet grilled pineapple, and spicy jalapeños, this has every element you’d want in one meal.
Get our recipe for Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Sandwich.
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken
Cooked in chicken broth with a touch of fresh lemon juice, this Instant Pot lemon chicken recipe is an easy and flavorful protein to add to your dinner plate. Pair it with some easy sides like roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts for a well-rounded meal.
Get our recipe for Instant Pot Lemon Chicken.
Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup does everything a comfort food is supposed to do, and it does so without a hefty caloric price tag. But steer clear of canned chicken soup. Not only is it sparse on chicken and vegetables, but a single cup can also carry up to half a day’s worth of sodium. This version is light on the salt and loaded with chunky vegetables and shredded chicken for a truly hearty bowl of soup.
Get our recipe for Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Given the rate of wing consumption in this country, hot sauce-slathered chicken and blue cheese is clearly a winning combination for American palates. With this healthy chicken recipe, we stay true to the flavors people love—basting the chicken in hot sauce butter after grilling, topping with a yogurt-based blue cheese sauce—but manage to do what not many people can do: make Buffalo chicken into a healthy meal. Plus, you can try the same technique with grilled shrimp.
Get our recipe for Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
Margarita Chicken
Sizzling chicken and steak platters clutter the menus of nearly every major chain restaurant in this country, a testament to the enduring popularity of meat and melted cheese. We can’t fault people for loving it—who wouldn’t? But we do take issue with the fact that these savory skillets rarely contain fewer than 1,000 calories, regardless of who’s holding the spatula. Unless you are, that is! Our version—a meal that you can have on the table in 20 minutes—contains all the same bells and whistles with much fewer calories.
Get our recipe for Margarita Chicken.
Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala
It takes many years to master the complex spice art at the heart of Indian cuisine, but tikka masala is the perfect beginner’s dish—light on ingredients and relatively mild in flavor. Tikka masala normally involves a heavy hand with both butter and cream, but we found that the combination of Greek yogurt and half-and-half gives you the same velvety texture for a fraction of the calories.
Get our recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala.
Asian-Inspired Sesame Noodles With Chicken
These sesame noodles are both delicious and full of nutritional value. Add some protein and as many or as few vegetables as you like, and toss the whole package with a light but powerful dressing. If you follow the recipe as is, you’ll be able to enjoy a huge burst of flavors with only 340 calories per serving.