13 Healthy Chicken Recipes That'll Make Dinner A Breeze (2024)

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Before You Go Related FAQs References

Chicken RecipesHealthy EatingHealthy Recipes

These will change the way you meal plan.

By

Chloe FoxEditor, HuffPost Hawaii

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with chicken. While it's an easy, go-to choice for dinner, when was the last time you really devoured a chicken dish you made?

After all, simple, baked chicken has become synonymous with joyless, dry dieting, and anything else -- we're looking at you coq au vin -- seems much too rich, complicated and time consuming for our daily repertoire.

But it turns out there are some easy and healthy shortcuts on chicken's road to flavor town. As the 13 healthy recipes below show, chicken just needs a generous dose of flavors like citrus, balsamic or basil to unlock all its delicious glory.

So watch out meal plan,these recipes are coming for you -- and they'll have everyone at the table licking their plates and asking for seconds.

1

Skillet Chicken with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce

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Sally's Baking Addiction

Get the Skillet Chicken with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

2

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

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Skinny Taste

Get the Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets recipe from Skinny Taste

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4

Rainbow Thai Chicken Salad

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Gimme Some Oven

Get the Rainbow Thai Chicken Salad recipe from Gimme Some Oven

5

Basil-Feta Sauce Chicken

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Diethood

Get the Basil-Feta Sauce Chicken recipe from Diethood

6

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

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Damn Delicious

Get the Baked Honey Mustard Chicken recipe from Damn Delicious

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7

Fajita Chicken Kebabs

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Well Plated

8

Orange Rosemary Chicken

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Damn Delicious

Get the Orange Rosemary Chicken recipe from Damn Delicious

9

Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad

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Sally's Baking Addiction

Get the Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

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10

Simple Sesame Chicken Skillet

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How Sweet It Is

Get the Simple Sesame Chicken Skillet recipe from How Sweet It Is

11

One Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice

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Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Get the Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice One-Pan Skillet recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen

12

Pistachio Pesto Chicken with Whole Wheat Pasta

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How Sweet It Is

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13

Spiced Eggplant, Chicken And Chickpea Salad

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The Clever Carrot

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Before You Go

7 Essential Healthy Recipes To Master In 2016

An Always Tasty, Never Boring Veggie Dish(01 of 07)

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Roasted vegetables are one of the most versatile foods you can make throughout the year, but especially in winter, when pickings are slim. This recipe, from Dave Asprey's new Bulletproof: The Cookbook, is a terrific way to eat fresh veggies, since it will be delicious no matter what's in season, from sweet potatoes to carrots to parsnips to broccoli. The trick: Start with thick-cut bacon. Just two slices add the perfect salty and smoky element—and turn a potentially humdrum side into one with rich flavor.

Get the recipe: Winter Vegetable Salad

(credit: Mitch Mandel)

Restaurant-Worthy Seafood You Can Totally Make Yourself(02 of 07)

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A way to make fish with a crunchy, golden exterior without frying? Meet pan-roasting, one of the most effective and mouthwatering techniques for cooking nutritious salmon, cod or other seafood that doesn't involve tons of oil. This recipe, from Bon Appetit: The Food Lover's Cleanse explains just how to do it (the method takes all of nine minutes), and has you top the cooked fillets with a grapefruit-cabbage slaw that gets its creaminess from protein-rich yogurt.

Get the recipe: Pan-Roasted Salmon with Grapefruit-Cabbage Slaw

(credit: Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott)

Veggie Burgers You'll Be Happy to Heat Up(03 of 07)

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Whether you serve them on a bun or over a bed of mixed greens, plant-based patties are a satisfying and healthy vegetarian meal. This simple recipe, from the new book The Plantiful Table, by Andrea Duclos, from the blog OhDearDrea, uses a can of chickpeas as its base and also includes corn, peas, fresh herbs and carrots. The fresh-tasting burgers freeze well, so you'll never need to buy packaged ones again.

Get the recipe: Chickpea Patties

(credit: Andrea Duclos)

An Asparagus Dish That'll Win Over Skeptics(04 of 07)

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If you, or someone at your table, aren't a fan of asparagus, Emily von Euw has the recipe for you. In her new book The Rawsome Vegan Cookbook, she explains that pairing the earthy-tasting, fiber- and folate-packed vegetable with apple-cider vinegar results in a tangy, addictive side you'll make again and again. She also uses a tiny bit of maple syrup for subtle sweetness, plus tamari (a wheat-free soy sauce) for a salty kick.

Get the recipe: Sautéed Asparagus

(credit: Emily von Euw)

A Cheap And Trusty Stalwart You Can Use Anywhere(05 of 07)

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Low and slow doesn't just apply to barbecue—it's also the secret to making deeply flavored, tender cannellini beans. In The Anti-Inflammation Cookbook, Amanda Haas explains how the process couldn't be simpler: You soak the beans overnight (or, you can follow her shortcut soak technique), boil them then simmer for about two hours. The final step is to combine the legumes with garlic, rosemary and thyme that you've cooked lightly in olive oil. Enjoy the beans—which are high in protein and complex carbs—on their own as an entrée, alongside chicken or roasted vegetables or spread on toast.

Get the recipe: Cannellini Beans with Garlic and Herbs

(credit: Erin Kunkel)

A Baked Pasta You Can Feel Great About(06 of 07)

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When comfort-food cravings strike, this reliable pasta bake is one recipe you'll be happy to have in your arsenal. It's easy to prepare and is more healthful than you'd think, thanks to fat-free ricotta and part-skim mozzarella. Plus, it includes spinach for a vitamin boost.

Get the recipe: Baked Pasta with Sausage and Spinach

(credit: Gina hom*olka)

A Shockingly Tasty Mashed-Potato Sub(07 of 07)

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Whipped cauliflower is so delicious that we now prefer it to traditional pureed potatoes. That's because even when you puree the cruciferous vegetable, it retains a bit of texture, but without the gumminess that can result when you overcook the potatoes. Also, you feel a lot less stuffed after eating it, since this dish is low in carbs. Bonus: These mashed potatoes cook in half the time.

Get the recipe: Whipped Cauliflower

(credit: Юлия Атаева /Thinkstock)

Related

Chicken RecipesHealthy EatingHealthy RecipesChickenhealthy dinner recipes
13 Healthy Chicken Recipes That'll Make Dinner A Breeze (2024)

FAQs

What is the tastiest and healthiest way to cook chicken breast? ›

The healthiest way to cook chicken is to bake it in the oven or stir fry it with vegetables. Put the parts in a baking pan, rub some olive oil on them, and surround them with plenty of garlic, lemon, carrots, or whatever you like. Bake at 350° until brown.

How to cook chicken the healthy way? ›

Steaming is another healthy and quick cooking method for chicken. For this method, you use a steaming basket and pot of hot water. Alternatively, you can get the same results by cooking in a steam-assisted hybrid oven.

What is the best way to cook chicken to lose weight? ›

They said that grilling is the healthiest, weight-loss-friendly way to cook chicken. This is because grilled meats have reduced fat content because fat drips off as the food cooks—that way meals are healthier and it makes it easier to manage a low-fat diet. Plus, reduced fat intake helps lower bad cholesterol levels.

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

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

What's the best way to cook chicken breast to keep it moist? ›

  1. Flatten the chicken breasts. ...
  2. Heat the pan. ...
  3. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. ...
  4. Flip the chicken breasts. ...
  5. Turn the heat down to low. ...
  6. Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. ...
  7. Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. ...
  8. Remove lid and take temperature.

What is the healthiest food for a chicken? ›

Good choices include leafy greens, cooked beans, corn, non-sugary cereals and grains, berries, apples and most other fruits and vegetables. Despite often voracious appetites and a willingness to eat just about anything you might give them, there are some foods to be avoided.

Is baked chicken healthier than fried? ›

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 pan frying chicken healthy? ›

Pan frying is a method that requires lower temperatures and incorporates monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, canola oil or avocado oil. This is a healthier alternative since it requires cooking with more nutritious oils at lower temperatures.

Can you lose belly fat by eating chicken? ›

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.

Is chicken good for losing belly fat? ›

If you are a meat-eater, lean chicken breast is a great source of protein if you want to beat belly fat. But do not forget healthy, fatty fish such as salmon.

Can eggs help in weight loss? ›

Eggs are a low-calorie food rich in protein and other nutrients. Eating eggs may support weight loss, especially if a person incorporates them into a calorie-controlled diet. Research suggests that eggs boost metabolic activity and increase feelings of fullness.

What is the most flavorful way to cook chicken? ›

Flavor Trick #1: Marinate Whole or Sliced Chicken Breasts for 30 to 90 Minutes Before Cooking. Marinating not only adds flavor, but the combination of healthy fat and acid in most recipes also helps tenderize the meat.

Is chicken better in oven or pan? ›

While both baking and pan frying can give you tasty, juicy chicken, if you are in a hurry, it is better to pan fry it. Because baked chicken breast is easy to dry out, it needs time to brine or marinade before you cook it.

What are the three ways to eat chicken? ›

Chicken can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, deep-frying, or sautéing. Once the chicken is cooked, serve it with traditional Southern sides or healthy roasted vegetables. You can eat fried or roasted chicken with your fingers. However, boneless chicken is usually eaten with a fork and knife.

Is it healthier to fry or bake chicken breast? ›

Lower fat content: When comparing frying versus oven-baking, a fried and batter chicken breast contains 13.2 grams of fat in a 100-gram serving, while an oven-roasted chicken breast has just 3.6 grams of fat.

Is grilled or baked chicken healthier? ›

Baking tends to give food a more delicate texture and taste. Grilling, on the other hand, produces a bolder flavor and allows fat to drip off the meat, reducing its calorie count. However, baking can be just as healthy as long as you don't add oil, butter and other fats.

How to flavor chicken 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.

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