35 Easy Healthy Chicken Recipes That Won’t Break Your Diet

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Kaye Modified: July 27, 2023
35 Easy Healthy Chicken Recipes That Won’t Break Your Diet
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From keto chicken breast recipes to healthy chicken recipes for weight loss, there’s no denying that this poultry meat is one of the most widely beloved protein sources by fitness enthusiasts. For this reason, we’ve gathered the best healthy chicken recipes for dinner or lunch in this article. Continue reading to discover easy yet nutritious dishes that you can add to your meal prep menu.


Healthy Baked Chicken Recipes

Browse through this section to discover all the best healthy chicken recipes that you can make with an oven.

Chicken Piccata

appetizing chicken piccata

Make healthy chicken dinner recipes tasty by taking inspiration from Italian classics! Try making piccata for a lightly pan-fried chicken that is then baked with lemon slices to finish. You’ll get your fill of protein and vitamin C from this combo! So the next time you wonder what to make with chicken breast, you’ll have this delicious garlicky and citrusy dish in your arsenal.

Recipe for Inspiration: Appetizing Chicken Piccata 

Oven-Baked Chicken

baked chicken breasts recipe

Simply season and bake some lean chicken breast pieces, and you’ve got yourself a yummy low-carb dish with minimal effort. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly to avoid any foodborne illness that you might get from raw meat. Have it by itself, or with a side of leafy greens for heart-healthy recipes with chicken.

Recipe for Inspiration: Baked Chicken Breast

Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

turmeric roasted chicken and sweet potatoes recipe

Making healthy chicken thigh and drumstick recipes is absolutely possible. Try this dish and enjoy a serving of chicken thighs, legs, and yams baked in an earthy marinade. The special ingredient? Good ol’ turmeric spice loaded with flavor, anti-inflammatory compounds, and more nutritional benefits! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Turmeric Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

Honey Garlic Chicken

baked honey garlic chicken recipe

The sweet and sticky honey-garlic blend is a popular flavor for fried chicken wings. But did you know that you can also have this combo with the help of boneless skinless chicken breast recipes for dinner? Take this dish for instance. After all, baked chicken recipes are healthier compared to those that involve deep frying in oil.

Recipe for Inspiration: Baked Honey Garlic Chicken 

Stuffed Chicken Breast

spinach stuffed chicken breast recipe

Out of healthy chicken dinner ideas already? For something different, bake some chicken breasts loaded with healthy greens and cheese! Each piece will greet you with pockets of creamy filling that’s chock-full of nutrients and flavor. This is by far one of the tastiest healthy chicken breast and spinach recipes that you can try!

Recipe for Inspiration: Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Crispy Chicken Salad

creamy garlic parmesan crispy chicken salad recipe

This is one of the best quick and healthy baked chicken breast recipes that you should definitely cook! All you have to do is coat the raw chicken pieces with bread crumbs, and bake them in the oven until golden. While you’re at it, whisk together olive oil, cream, cheeses, and other acidic ingredients. This will serve as a bright and creamy dressing for your mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onions. Place the chicken on top of the salad for serving! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Crispy Chicken Salad

Sheet Pan Chicken With Vegetables

sheet pan chicken and veggie "stir fry" recipe

Doubt if you can make healthy chicken and broccoli recipes taste good? Simply follow the steps indicated to make this dish, and you’ll be halfway there! When you’re finished, you’ll get to dig into a bowl of beautifully roasted chicken and vegetable pieces. Healthy chicken dinners have never tasted this good!    

Recipe for Inspiration: Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggie “Stir Fry” 


Healthy Grilled Chicken Recipes

Apart from baking, grilling is another healthier way of cooking meat. Check out the best ones to try from this chicken dishes list, and get cooking!

Grilled Chicken

delicious grilled chicken

We’re starting this section with healthy and simple chicken breast recipes for dinner. To make this, you’ll only need a few basic ingredients from your pantry to season the meat before grilling. This is the best way to cook chicken breast if you want a meat dish without all the frills. 

Recipe for Inspiration: Grilled Chicken on the Barbie 

Rotisserie Chicken with Salad Greens

rotisserie chicken dinner: the garden-lover recipe

Did you know that it’s possible to make healthy rotisserie chicken recipes? Chop up some store-bought roasted meat, and have the pieces with greens on the side. For minimal effort, simply toss together steamed cauliflower, salad greens, and roasted summer squash with red wine vinaigrette. Nothing beats easy chicken dinner recipes with well-balanced components.

Recipe for Inspiration: Rotisserie Chicken with Salad Greens

Barbecue Chicken Salad

barbecue-chicken-salad-recipe

Heads up because we got more chicken breast dinner ideas incoming! For this one, grill some skinless and boneless chicken breasts and use them as the main protein for a bowl of salad. And for a change, use smoky barbecue sauce to flavor this dish of meat and leafy greens. If you ask us, this is definitely one to add to your roundup of healthy and easy chicken breast recipes.

Recipe for Inspiration: Barbecue Chicken Salad 

Grilled Chicken Salad Wrap

Want to learn how to make chicken wrap recipes healthy? Well, you’re in luck because we got what you need in this list of chicken recipe ideas. Try your hand at recreating this dish, and enjoy tortilla rolls stuffed with a creamy and tangy mixture of grilled chicken and veggies. If you’re going for healthy chicken breast recipes for weight loss feel free to use whole wheat tortillas.

Recipe for Inspiration: Grilled Chicken Salad Wrap


Healthy Crockpot Chicken Recipes

For another easy way of cooking chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and other parts, you can use your Crockpot! Browse this section and find a healthy chicken meal that you can make in a slow cooker.

Chicken and Stuffing

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe, easy and simple creamy crockpot stuffing casserole

What if I told you that you can achieve the warm and welcoming Thanksgiving flavor of roasted turkey with this one pot recipe? Toss together chicken breast with your stuffing mixture for slow cooking, and there’s all there is to it! You might not have expected this upon looking for ways on how to cook chicken breast in this selection of healthy recipes, but it’s one that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Recipe for Inspiration: Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing 

Salsa Verde Chicken

easy crockpot salsa verde chicken recipe

You can’t go wrong with the bright and flavorful casserole dishes of Mexico. So if you’re interested in making healthy chicken casserole recipes, you might want to give this one a try. Simply slow cook some chicken tenders in a tart salsa verde mixture, and you got yourself a meal! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Easy Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken

Chicken Parisienne

Slow Cooker Chicken Parisienne

We’re not exaggerating when we say that you can make a pasta dish in your crockpot. And yes, it’s one of the best slow cooker chicken breast recipes you can try! Slowly simmer the meat for a few hours in a wine-mushroom soup mixture, and you can toss the pasta in it before serving! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Slow Cooker Chicken Parisienne

Mediterranean Chicken

slow cooker mediterranean chicken recipe

Can’t get enough of healthy chicken Crockpot recipes? Check this one out and allow your taste buds to explore classic Mediterranean flavors. You’ll get to dig into a potpourri of chicken thighs, roasted bell peppers, olives, and artichoke hearts slowly simmered in a tart tomato sauce mixture.

Recipe for Inspiration: Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken

Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad

crock pot chicken and black bean taco salad recipe

Bored of the same old easy chicken recipes? If that’s the case then you’ll love this dish! It’s made up of shredded chicken and black beans that have been slowly simmered in chunky salsa. This tastes delicious on lettuce leaves — with cheese and zesty avocado dressing for the full experience! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad 


Healthy Chicken And Rice Recipes

Do you know what else is great with chicken? A side of fluffy, freshly cooked rice. And if not, you can also make do with riced vegetables. Check out the best chicken recipes to make below. 

Chicken Curry

There are all kinds of healthy meals for dinner that call for chicken as the main ingredient in different cuisines. Take this chicken curry dish, for example. Like most healthy Indian chicken recipes, this dish is packed with rich flavor from a combination of different spices. Serve this meal with a side of rice to balance everything out.

Recipe for Inspiration: Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Coconut Rice 

Fried Cauliflower Rice With Chicken

Keto Chicken Fried Cauliflower Rice Recipe

You’re in for a pleasant surprise because this chicken breast recipe makes a low-carb dish that is delicious and healthy at the same time. Instead of using regular rice, pack your meal with even more nutrients by steaming up a riced cauliflower head. Stir fry this vegetable with morsels of chicken and broccoli florets to finish.

Recipe for Inspiration: Keto Chicken Fried Cauliflower Rice 

Lemon Chicken

Homestyle Lemon Chicken and Rice

Among one of the best recipes with chicken breast out there, this boasts a delightful combination of flavors. To make it, lemon juice is stirred into the chicken broth base of this dish, effectively infusing the meat and rice with a hint of tart citrusy quality.

Recipe for Inspiration: Homestyle Lemon Chicken and Rice 

Chicken Fried Rice

shredded chicken fried rice in a white bowl

In case you haven’t noticed, there are many quick and healthy shredded chicken recipes to choose from. And if you got leftovers in your kitchen, this is the perfect recipe to try! There’s no need for cooking chicken because you can just shred up some scraps and fry it with rice and mixed veggies. From white long grain to brown rice, feel free to use any type of grain that you prefer.

Recipe for Inspiration: Shredded Chicken Fried Rice Recipe 


Healthy Chicken Soup Recipes

These simple chicken recipes are here for days when you’re craving warm broth. Browse the soup recipes with chicken below.

Chicken Noodle Soup

instant pot chicken noodle soup recipe

Nothing beats the classic flavor of chicken noodle soup. It’s undeniable that there really is something hearty and comforting about a mixture of meat, veggies, and noodles in light broth! For warming both your body and your soul, this is guaranteed to be one of the best ways of making Instant Pot chicken recipes healthy.

Recipe for Inspiration: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Italian Chicken Stew

Crockpot Italian Chicken Stew

Chicken broth, white wine, tomato paste, and seasonings come together to create a deliciously thick base for this Italian chicken dish. This is one of the best recipes for chicken breast for days when you want something heartier than light soup.

Recipe for Inspiration: Crockpot Italian Chicken Stew

Chicken And Dumplings

gluten free chicken and dumplings recipe

Even if you’re on a gluten-free diet, you’ll get to enjoy healthy chicken dinner recipes like this one. And apart from being good for you, this dish is quite flavorful as well! Each bowl of this soup is loaded with chewy dumplings, chicken, and vegetables in a deliciously hearty homemade chicken broth.

Recipe for Inspiration: Gluten Free Chicken And Dumplings

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Imagine all the bright flavors of Mexican ingredients cooked together to make flavorful soup! This dish consists of chicken, beans, corn, bell peppers, and tortilla chips swimming in a tart and slightly spicy tomato-based sauce. It delivers in terms of both nutrition and flavor, so you can definitely tell that this is one of the best chicken recipes for soup!

Recipe for Inspiration: Chicken Tortilla Soup 


Healthy Asian Chicken Recipes

Who knew that Asian-inspired recipes could be this healthy? Of course, we did! So in this section, we’ll be sharing the best dishes to eat without sacrificing a healthy lifestyle.

Chicken Breast With Peanuts

Peanut Chicken Breast Recipe

This nutty dish is among the best healthy chicken cutlet recipes that you can try. It’s made up of cutlets that have been stuffed with a spicy peanut filling before it’s cooked in a thick savory broth to finish. Simple, but definitely a fun chicken breast idea.

Recipe for Inspiration: Peanut Chicken Breast

Orange Chicken

lighter orange chicken recipe

What if I told you that it’s possible to make a healthy orange chicken recipe? Just steer clear of heavy seasonings and deep-frying, and it’s definitely possible! And don’t worry because the orange sauce pulls through to make everything taste just as delicious! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Healthy Orange Chicken 

Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai Chicken Skewers Recipe

What’s better than chicken skewers? Chicken skewers that are packed with flavor from a range of Asian seasonings! A side note from us: give the chicken fillet pieces enough time to marinate and soak in the sauce for the best results.

Recipe for Inspiration: Thai Chicken Skewers 

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

pf changs chicken lettuce wraps recipe

On the lookout for healthy ground chicken recipes?  You might want to check this out because not only are chicken wrap recipes healthy, but they’re also tasty and fairly easy to recreate!  Sauteed ground meat cradled by pieces of crispy lettuce is always a good meal idea. Serve it with a sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and rice vinegar.

Recipe for Inspiration: PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps 


Healthy Chicken And Vegetable Recipes

Your cravings will surely be satisfied with good chicken recipes. And in our opinion, healthy side dishes and components made up of veggies can take any meal experience to the next level. Take some notes from these dishes:

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

honey mustard chicken salad with bacon and avocado recipe

Running low on dinner ideas with chicken? Check out this dish for another fun salad flavor that you can try! Your meals can’t be dull if you flavor your chunks of protein and greens with a sweet and tart combination of honey and mustard.

Recipe for Inspiration: Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

cilantro lime chicken salad recipe

Speaking of healthy chicken dinner ideas for a salad, this one offers a familiar yet exciting flavor combo.  With its bright cilantro-lime dressing, this dish is bound to be perfect for when you’re craving a meal that’s light and easy.

Recipe for Inspiration: Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

Chicken Divan

lightened up chicken divan recipe

This dish is not your regular chicken casserole because it brings together the meat, veggies, and cheesy sauce for a classic New York meal. One of the best healthy chicken recipes for two or a family! 

Recipe for Inspiration: Lightened Up Chicken Divan

Roast Chicken & Vegetables

roasted chicken and vegetables recipe

This roast chicken-vegetable dish is another classic that you dare not miss! Simply roast a fully seasoned whole chicken on top of mixed vegetables and call it a day.

Recipe for Inspiration: Roast Chicken & Vegetables

Vegetable and Chicken Stir-Fry

vegetable and chicken stir-fry recipe

Stir-frying is another good method of having healthy chicken recipes for dinner. Toss together the meat and veggies in a thick and savory sauce mixture, and you have the perfect dish to serve with steamed jasmine rice.

Recipe for Inspiration: Vegetable and Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken Fajitas

Chili's Chicken Fajitas Recipe (Copycat), copycat grilled chili's chicken fajitas

Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned and grilled, while flavorful vegetables are sauteed in this lively Mexican-inspired dish. Plus according to this recipe for cooking chicken, it tastes even better with nacho chips, salsa, or guacamole

Recipe for Inspiration: Chili’s Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Tacos

You can absolutely whip up healthy chicken recipes even for parties and large gatherings. Try this dish of sauteed chicken chunks with tomatoes and other vegetables for serving on toasty tortillas.

Recipe for Inspiration: Easy Chicken Tacos

Want to share your own healthy chicken recipes or discuss these easy meal ideas further? Join the conversation in the Healthy Eating forum and let us know your thoughts on these 35 easy healthy chicken recipes that won’t break your diet.

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Read Next: 27 Best Keto Lunch Ideas for a Low-Carb Diet 

Kaye

Kaye is a writer and a recent oat milk convert. With a background in Language Studies, she has founded a deep appreciation of cultures, traditions, and the power of words. In her spare time, she enjoys testing some of the trendiest and most accessible recipes on the internet.