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

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 of07)

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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 of07)

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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 of07)

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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 of07)

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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 of07)

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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 of07)

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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 of07)

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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 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 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.

Are baked chicken breast healthy? ›

The Bottom Line. Chicken breast is part of many healthy diets, including the DASH diet and Mediterranean diets. As long as it isn't prepared with excessive amounts of saturated fat, salt or sugar, including a serving of chicken breast in your overall healthy diet can support your health goals in an impressive way.

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 best 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.

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.

Can I eat chicken and still lose weight? ›

When creating a healthy diet plan, grilled chicken is almost always a staple. This is because grilled chicken is lean and contains far less fat and calories than other types of meat. Eating it regularly can help you lose weight, especially when you swap it out for fattier meats like beef or pork.

Can I just eat chicken to lose weight? ›

Benefits of a chicken-only diet

Therefore, an all-chicken diet can help some people start off with weight loss for a short time, after which they should transition to a healthy, well-balanced diet. However, this diet has many disadvantages and is not considered the best diet for weight loss.

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 cooking method makes chicken most tender? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

Are rotisserie chickens healthy? ›

A rotisserie chicken is better than some of the other alternatives. 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.

Should you cover chicken when baking in oven? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

What is the best time to eat chicken? ›

Boil Chicken for Lunch or dinner Boil chicken is best for lunch and dinner. The only catch is to include some complex carbs such as multi grain/oats bread or chapatti in the lunch with chicken. In the dinner take carbs only in the form of salad along with chicken eat egg white omelette as a post workout meal.

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).

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.

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.

Does frying chicken destroy protein? ›

A review on macro- and micronutrients losses and gains during frying is presented here. Frying has little or no impact on the protein or mineral content of fried food, whereas the dietary fibre content of potatoes is increased after frying due to the formation of resistant starch.

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