Healthy Chicken Recipes You'll Actually Crave (2024)

Better-for-you dinner ideas that are loaded with veggies!

By Samantha MacAvoy and Becca Miller
Healthy Chicken Recipes You'll Actually Crave (1)

“Healthy chicken” may sound a little, well, sad, but it doesn’t have to taste that way. Amped up with spices, seasoned with garlic and herbs or paired with sauces, healthy chicken recipes can make for an exciting weeknight meal. We rounded up our go-to recipes for the bird, including healthy salads, fun flatbreads, one-pan dinners and more. While most of these recipes are complete meals (and recipes ready in under 30 minutes!), feel free to pair them with whole grains and veggie side dishes if you’re serving more people — or seeking extra leftovers.

The healthiest way to eat chicken will depend on your dietary requirements and goals, so we included plenty of variety. Find low-carb recipes and paleo chicken bulked up with extra veggies, keto-friendly options and better-for-you favorites like “fried” chicken that's breaded and crisped-up in the oven, or air fryer recipes like chicken Parmesan. While we love a juicy chicken breast, we also included ideas for chicken thighs, drumsticks and the whole bird!

Chicken is versatile and easy to make, so it's the ultimate family-friendly meal for any night of the week. (Trust us, kids and adults will love our healthier take on chicken tenders.) Plus, leftover chicken is a meal prep hero: Stir it into salads, rice bowls, enchiladas and more for an even faster solution to lunch or dinner.

Ready for some menu ideas? Check out these must-try healthy chicken ideas to revamp your mundane meals, stat.

1

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

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Skip the deep-fry for less oil, fewer calories — and zero stovetop mess!

Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.

2

Za’atar Chicken with Whipped Feta

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Dip za'atar-crusted thighs in a creamy feta yogurt spread for a satisfying dinner you won't even realize is gluten-free.

Get the Za’atar Chicken with Whipped Feta recipe.

RELATED: Save Room for Dessert! Here Are Our Best GF Sweets

3

Roasted Chickpea, Tomato and Chicken Bowls

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Cooking smashed garlic and spiced tomatoes with your chicken creates a jammy, sauce-like condiment for this vibrant bowl.

Get the Roasted Chickpea, Tomato and Chicken Bowls recipe.

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4

Air Fryer Chicken Strips

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Combine this with your go-to greens for a complete meal. The tangy and slightly sweet dipping sauce pairs equally well with veggies!

Get the Air Fryer Chicken Strips recipe.

5

Sheet Pan Chicken with Apples and Delicata Squash

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Save this for the first chilly day post-summer. Loaded with caramelized apples and squash, it's a stunning celebration of fall crops.

Get the Sheet Pan Chicken with Apples and Delicata Squash recipe.

RELATED: 70 Cozy Fall Dinner Ideas

6

Japanese Chicken Curry

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The secrete to the subtle sweetness of this dreamy, flavorful curry? Applesauce!

Get the Japanese Chicken Curry recipe.

RELATED: 21 Easy Curry Recipes That Deliver Big Comfort

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7

Smoky Chicken Thighs on Baby Romaine

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Don't skip the crusty, toasted sourdough in this salad: It helps soak up all that tangy, garlicky salad dressing.

Get the Smoky Chicken Thighs on Baby Romaine recipe.

8

Balsamic Chicken Caprese

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Healthy recipes don't have to be complicated: This flavorful stunner has only five ingredients.

Get the Balsamic Chicken Caprese recipe.

RELATED: 25 Easy, Delicious 5-Ingredient Meals to Make for Dinner Tonight

9

Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken

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Roast bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts alongside veggies to impart some of that delicious, chicken-y richness into your produce.

Get the Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken recipe.

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10

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

11

Italian-Marinated Chicken

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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 for Seriously Delicious Midday Fuel

12

Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads

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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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13

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.

14

Lemon-Pepper Linguine with Creamy Chicken and Broccoli

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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.

15

Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale

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Chicken cutlets get a quick lemony twist (read: a three-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.

RELATED: 30 Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes That You'll Be Making All Summer

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16

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: 60 Best Summer Chicken Recipes for a Healthy Weeknight Dinner

17

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

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

Get the Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe.

18

Crispy Chicken Salad

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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 Seriously Pack In Flavor

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19

Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

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Cooking juicy tomatoes in the air fryer creates a hands-off, stellar sauce. Spoon it over dinner for added flavor!

Get the Mediterranean Chicken Bowls recipe.

20

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.

Healthy Chicken Recipes You'll Actually Crave (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.

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.

Which is the tastiest chicken dish in the world? ›

Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, has recently claimed the top spot in the "Top 100 Chicken Dishes in the World" list by TasteAtlas, (an online guide for traditional food) solidifying its place as a global culinary sensation.

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.

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

Generally speaking, skinless chicken breast is the leaner option and often the cut most widely suggested for weight loss. This is because dark meat like the thighs (as well as the wings and legs) is higher in fat than the breast.

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.

What meat is healthier than chicken? ›

Lean beef (defined by government guidelines as having less than 10 grams total fat, 4.5 grams or less saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3.5 ounces) can be healthier than chicken, fish - or tofu (bean curd) for that matter - depending on how much is eaten and how it's prepared.

Can I eat chicken to lose belly fat? ›

Chicken helps lose overall body weight if consumed as a healthy and balanced diet. In the process, one can also lose belly fat. While eating chicken, remember to opt for lean chicken breast; it is a good source of protein with fewer calories.

Can you lose weight by only eating chicken and rice? ›

Yep, chicken and rice is a solid meal choice for weight loss. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, meaning it'll supply more protein for less calories than other cuts of meat like lean steak or salmon. Plus, the combo of carbs and protein will keep you satisfied for hours.

Is rotisserie chicken good for weight loss? ›

Since rotisserie chicken is highly nutritious and a good source of protein, it can offer several health benefits. Here are some possible health benefits of rotisserie chicken. Promotes weight loss. Since protein takes longer to digest, it can increase fullness levels, making it easier to reach a caloric deficit.

What is the most expensive eating chicken? ›

The poulet de Bresse or Bresse chicken is claimed to be one of the world's most expensive chickens.

Which cut of chicken do chefs prefer for most recipes? ›

Way More Flavorful

Any good cook knows that fat is flavor, and that is yet another reason why thighs are superior to breasts. Chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat, which means they're going to have more intense, rich flavor than their white meat counterparts.

Which culture eats the most chicken? ›

The country that consumes the greatest amount of chicken is the United States. Every year, the United States consumes approximately 15,000 metric tons of chicken, placing it significantly in front of the second-place region.

Is it healthier to cook chicken in the oven or on the stove? ›

Baked chicken is also a healthy method of preparation because you can choose to forego any oils before you bake it. Many people remove the skin of chicken breasts before baking, making it a low-fat and high-protein choice for meals.

Is it healthier to fry or bake chicken? ›

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).

Is it healthier to bake or pan fry chicken? ›

The best way to cook chicken for the health benefits

When it comes to pan frying, the type of fat you use to grease the pan is important. A healthy oil, such as olive or coconut, is going to be a healthier choice than animal fat, like butter. However, the healthiest way to cook chicken is to bake it or boil it.

Is it healthy to cook chicken with oil? ›

Benefits of frying chicken in olive oil

The product can help prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It's also an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich.

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