50 Healthy Chicken Recipes

We corralled chicken dishes for family feasts and cozy one-bowl meals alike, so there’s a little something for everyone who loves chicken. If you don’t, our fingers are crossed that these will win you over!

To do that, however, you first have to see the impressive collection below. Wraps, folds, dishes from the Asian cuisine— take your pick! It’s like an episode of The Bachelor, only YOU get to pick from this list of tasty options.

With that said, let’s explore these 50 brilliant ways to get chicken dishes onto your table!

All In a Pan: Chicken Skillet Recipes That Get it Done in One Cook

• Healthy Lemon Chicken. Fresh lemon juice, dill, and parsley are our flavors of choice for the best savory chicken complimented by a vibrant yellow sauce.
• Chicken Cacciatore. An Italian steal. A classic red wine dish with chicken thighs and mushroom. One word: pasta.
• Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs. Rosemary and thyme work in tandem to give these chicken thighs an herby, garlic sear that is simple, but hard to resist!
• Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders. Homemade crispy chicken with nothing but salt and pepper; these chicken tenders are a quick way to get you feeling full.

Stuffed and Rolled: Chicken Roll Up Recipes

• Chicken Cordon Bleu. A fine dining replica stuffed with bacon. Roll the chicken and fry it before biting into a sizzling hot, melted cheese center.
• Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast. We stuffed this low-carb delicacy with spinach and layered it with a double cheese melt for a creamy center. Bonus points for being suitable in any Keto diet!
• Baked Chicken Taquitos. You’ll love these rolled and baked mini tacos for their Mexican chili chicken and zucchini center. They’re perfect for pairing with a simple guacamole dip!
• Chicken Crescent Rolls. There’s nothing like a light, golden-baked pastry to serve a cheesy chicken center atop some cream of mushroom soup, yum!

Dishes You Can Spoon and Sup: Healthy Chicken Soup Bowls

• Chicken and Rice Soup. A popular combination in a much more wholesome form, chicken and rice soup is your simple way to kick off the winter season.
• Chicken Tortilla Soup. Because it’s a sizzling hot chicken gourmet dish, we’d save this for wintry days. It’s a bowl of fire-roasted tomato flavors that will keep you digging.
• Healthy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. This traditional gumbo soup is rich with flavor; you’ll relish it long after the winter days. Okra and smoked sausage are the notes that keep the hearty theme singing.
• Thai Chicken Curry. There’s nothing like a bowl of spicy flavors to comfort and soothe you. This chicken curry soup does just that, with aromas that set a warm tone for cold days.

Ready for Some…Asian Persuasion? Chicken Recipes From the Asian Cuisine

• Moo Goo Gai Pan. We love Asian cuisine. There’s nothing that screams Asian flavor like mushroom and bamboo shoots, with a chewy texture to make it more fun!
• Kung Pao Chicken. Another dish from the Chinese cuisine, with white wine and ginger to give these chicken thighs succulent, spicy flavors— nothing short of delicious.
• Teriyaki Chicken. Beautiful Japanese flavors of cooking mirin and sugar give this seared chicken a saucy, glossy finish.
• Orange Chicken. This is one of our more popular Chinese-American dishes. It’s packed with a citrus zest that makes us fall in love with the glossy orange sauce!

From the Pan to the Oven: Sear Baked Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Pot Pie. Chicken pot pie is in our top 10 must-try American cuisines. It’s our recommendation for a one-pot meal that will have the family talking.
• Buffalo Chicken Dip. From Buffalo chicken wings to Buffalo chicken dips, we love it all. And with a creamy cheese base from mozzarella and cheddar, this meal begs to be indulged!
• Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs. A simple meal that pairs seared chicken thighs with garlic and pepper for a minimalist family dinner dish.
• Pan-Seared Oven Baked Chicken Breast. Weekly meals just got better with these 30-minute chicken breasts. Keep it simple and buttery with some garlic and pepper to complement the dish.

No Sear Here, Straight into the Oven! Baked Chicken Recipes

• Baked Chicken Breast. Although a basic recipe, this oven-baked chicken breast is far from basic. It’s juicy and tender, soaked in butter, and oozing delicate herb and cheese flavors.
• Chicken and Rice Casserole. This works whenever you’re too worn out to spend more time in the kitchen than you need to. Just brush chicken thighs with butter, add mushrooms, and bake.
• Ranch Cheddar Chicken. You need only five ingredients to get this ranch cheddar chicken breast baking to end up with a crispy, crunchy, crusted dish.
• Baked Chicken Parmesan. Chicken parmesan is excellent for low-prep lunch and dinners. It’s a minimal-effort meal that has mesmerizing flavors of parmesan chicken breast, and is best paired with spaghetti.

Fold, Hold and Take a Bold Bite: Healthy Chicken Wrap Recipes

• Healthy Chicken Shawarma. One of the all-time favorite street foods in the Middle East, this pita bread wrap makes its way into our American bellies with delicious cinnamon chicken and buttery avocado flavors.
• Chicken Enchiladas. This hearty Mexican meal is a mix of herb-seasoned chicken breasts. With black beans wrapped in a tortilla that’s swimming in red chili sauce, it’s perfect for cozy family get-togethers.
• Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Lettuce wraps are versatile, and this one happens to be low-carb. Grab a lettuce leaf and add cooked ginger chicken before rolling it into a neat wrap and taking a big bite.
• Low-Carb Avocado Chicken Wrap. Crunchy, crispy breadcrumb chicken is the hero of this low-carb wrap with a buttery avocado, tomato, and chicken center.

Keeping It Simple, But Plenty Delicious: Ridiculously Easy Chicken Recipes

• 2-Ingredient Salsa Chicken. Chicken thigh fillets and salsa are all you’ll need to recreate this slow-cooker chicken dinner.
• Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken. Can you tell why we love slow cookers? All you need is 10 minutes to turn chicken breasts into tender, buttery pieces— that’s insanely easy!
• 3-Ingredient BBQ Ranch. Chicken breasts claim their juicy status with this oven-grilled dinner that you can flavor with ranch dressing and your favorite barbecue sauce.
• Honey Butter Chicken. With a golden-brown sauce that offers bursts of honey flavor, chicken meals continue to be something you’ll look forward to.
• Chicken Salad Sandwich. Better suited for a quick lunch, this effortless chicken salad sandwich is the main meal— yes, it will leave you feeling full and satisfied in just three steps!

Try Pairing This With Rice: Our Favorite Chicken and Rice Recipes

• Chicken Massaman Curry. Chicken thighs are seared, then simmered in a coconut milk and tamarind sauce to make a delicious, succulent Thai chicken curry.
• Chicken Carnitas. Caramelized, crispy chicken. This carnitas bowl with beans, tomatoes, and corn gives a little bit of everything while satisfying those fried chicken cravings!
• Chicken Biryani. Rich and pungent flavors of ginger, cumin, and fragrant cardamom season this chicken in a traditional Indian Biryani gluten-free rice dish.
• Chicken Korma. Meal prep doesn’t get easier than this flavorful Indian curry. It’s a savory treat with paprika, garam masala, and turmeric that go perfectly with rice.
• One-Pot Chicken and Rice. Comfort and ease are the themes for this one-pot mushroom and chicken rice dinner.

Got 30 Minutes to Spare? The Quickest Chicken Recipes out There

• Quick Chicken Garlic Cutlets. Cutlets are one of our quick routes to a satisfying dinner. In under 20 minutes, you can have a delectable chicken entree browned in butter and garlic oil— irresistible!
• Healthy Chicken Piccata. Golden, crispy and parmesan-crusted, these tender chicken fillets are a glossy treat you can serve in less than 30 minutes!
• Chicken Fajitas. Another homemade Tex-Mex recipe that’s easy and perfect as a regular meal. Get your skillet, sear some seasoned chicken breasts, fold in a tortilla, and enjoy fajitas!
• Grilled Sticky Sweet Chicken Skewers. These caramelized ginger and garlic chicken skewers will be perfect at BBQs or parties for people who relish a smokey chicken flavor.
• Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta. What’s intriguing is how a 25-minute dish can pack so much flavor with garlic and cheese, making this chicken perfect for finishing with pasta!
• Chicken Waldorf Salad. Our healthy Waldorf salad is a 30-minute dish made for simple dining. A short cook, quick preparation, and simple ingredients make this chicken and mayonnaise salad our easy dinner night recommendation.

Let’s Get Everyone Together for Dinner: Chicken Recipes for a Family Feast

• Chicken Tikka Masala. We made this Indian delicacy from fragrant herbs, including coriander and cinnamon; only the best spices to create an aromatic Masala dish!
• 15-Minute Chicken Pasta. Chicken and pasta is a family favorite that we couldn’t resist. It’s the cheese, the marinara, and the way the dish comes together. Enjoy!
• Stromboli. This savory turnover is a healthy version of a rolled-up pizza. Stuff the dough with chicken and spinach, bake it to a golden crust, and there you have it— a wholesome chicken dinner!
• Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken. An easy chicken recipe to prepare for a family feast, this lemon and garlic roast sings with tangy essence throughout.

Finally, Our Favorite Chicken Dishes: More Healthy Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Alfredo. Seared chicken and mushrooms in a creamy cheese and milk sauce spell out the ultimate comfort food with this easy alfredo recipe.
• Balsamic Caprese Chicken. Simmered, then grilled to a sweet and sour satisfaction, this Caprese chicken recipe elevates the basic chicken breast into a succulent favorite.
• Sesame Chicken. Bite-sized chunks of garlic-ginger-dipped chicken with a light sesame sprinkle. This is one of our favorite Chinese dinners that you’ll gobble up even quicker!
• Easy Chicken and Dumplings. Our simple take on a classic southern American chicken and dumplings. The pillowy little dumplings are our favorite, but they’re made that much better because of the aromatic chicken broth.
• Best Oven Fried Chicken. Tender chicken breasts and a crispy coating, this paprika-flavored dish is a family friendly alternative to KFC or any deep-fried chicken takeout!

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?

3 days. We suggest you keep cooked chicken in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.

On that note, chicken also tends to lose its soft texture if mishandled. For example, if you store it while warm, it may develop a rubbery texture.

So, what’s the correct way to store it? Leave it to cool to room temperature before storing it in a tightly sealed, airtight container in the fridge. You can also store cooked chicken in the freezer for even longer— between 2 to 6 months.

We don’t think it’s ideal for serving that fresh chicken flavor, but it’s great for things like weekly meal prep! Just be sure to use an airtight, freezer-safe container when storing.

How to Reheat Fried Chicken

The easy way. The best and easiest way to do so is to use an oven.

Anything dry— fried or baked dishes— becomes crispier in the oven.

To achieve this texture, place the meat in the oven at about 400°F and bake until hot, for about 10 to 20 minutes. After that, it’s crunchy, crispy, and ready to eat!

Use a microwave. On the other hand, soups, stews, and sautés reheat better in a microwave. A microwave is excellent for creamy or runny dishes.

Get a microwave-safe dish and reheat the chicken. It should be steaming hot in about 3 to 5 minutes— depending on your microwave’s power setting.

Better yet, you can simmer chicken stew on the stovetop and reintroduce fresh flavors to the dish!

How to Tell if Chicken Is Bad

A foul smell and discoloration. Chicken can easily spoil if left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The first telltale signs that it has gone bad are an unpleasant odor and discolored flesh.

For raw chicken, this means it turns grey. This greyish shade sometimes comes with green tints and white mold in cooked chicken.

In both cases, you may notice a sliminess that further adds to the gross texture of spoiled chicken.

If you see any of these signs before or after cooking chicken, don’t cook it, and definitely don’t consume it! Practice safe handling by tossing it out to avoid food poisoning.

How to Defrost Chicken

Again, use a microwave! The quickest way to defrost chicken is to use a microwave.

Just like you would when reheating, place the meat in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it until thawed and defrosted. If raw, we advise you to cook the chicken immediately to avoid bacteria multiplying.

Or, leave it out to thaw. The other methods include leaving it at room temperature (no longer than 2 hours). As previously noted, cook it immediately once it has thawed.

The same applies to cooked chicken. You can leave it at room temperature to thaw. After that, use either a microwave or oven to reheat it, depending on the cooking method used.

Only when it’s hot is it ready to consume.

Remember that. Whatever you do, don’t consume it cold or without a thorough reheating as it can potentially lead to food poisoning.

How to Tell When Chicken Is Done?

Rely on your eyes. When it comes to cooking chicken, a thermometer is the best tool to measure its readiness, but your eyes can prove reliable too.

Cook it, then use a sharp knife to make an incision and check the flesh. If it has turned from light pink to an off-white shade, it’s ready and cooked.

Don’t take the risk of eating pink, undercooked chicken because it may still contain bacteria like salmonella.

Use the poke test. To ensure it’s completely safe, poke it with a fork or knife and make sure the juice seeping out is clear— not bloody! Undercooked chicken is sometimes rubbery too, so go for a slightly firm but cooked feel that will not be chewy.

Or why not use a thermometer? To seal the deal on cooked chicken, you may feel the need to use one last method of confirmation— a thermometer.

A thermometer will go a long way in settling any uncertainties. The perfect internal temperature of cooked chicken is 165 °F, whether grilled or baked.

Anything lower or higher than this indicates undercooked or overcooked chicken, respectively.

There you have it. 50 healthy chicken recipes to help you prepare delicious dinners with family and friends! You also have a short guide on preparing meat and how to know when it’s ready.

If you want to get more chicken recipe, check out our list of 20 Amazing Chicken Thigh Recipes.

Until next time, folks. 😉