20 Chicken Breast Recipes (Healthy and Simple!) - Weelicious (2024)

How often do you buy a pack of chicken breasts, but get stumped with what recipe to make? You know they’re healthy and easy to cook, but what will be quick? Will your kids actually eat what you make? Will there be enough flavor to get you excited enough to make the dish again? These recipes are such game changers that you’ll be jazzed to buy chicken breast time and time again.

Every week when I go to the grocery, I pick up a pack of chicken breasts to make for lunch or dinner. They’re the perfect base for a variety of marinades, toppings, vegetables, seasonings and more. Since they’re high in protein, easy to digest and super kid friendly, they’re one of the first foods I grab at the market. Keep reading for 20 Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes that I love!

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Marinated Chicken 6 Ways

Having marinated chicken in your freezer ready to go is a game changer when it comes to meal prepping. These are 6 of my favorites!

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Middle Eastern Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

This chicken dish is super easy! It cooks all on one pan (clean up is a breeze), and is bursting with Middle Eastern inspired flavor.

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Chicken Fajitas

I love chicken fajita night because everyone can build their fajitas the way they like it!

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Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

This roast chicken recipeis super simple (hello only 5 ingredients and one pan) and incredibly delicious. The caramelized lemons are my favorite!

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Easy Chicken Nuggets

These easy chicken nuggets healthier version of their fast food counterpart made with chicken breast, some spices and baked to perfection.

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One Pot Spiced Chicken with Toasted Couscous

You can use chicken breast or thighs in this recipe simple one pan recipe. It comes together really easily and packs a punch of flavor.

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Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken

I love this Hawaiian chicken recipe. It slow cooks for a few hours leaving you with tender, juicy and flavorful chicken.

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Air Fryer Preserved Lemon Chicken

I love my air fryer and this Air Fryer Preserved Lemon Chicken is one of my go-to recipes!

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Lemon Herb Chicken

This simple Lemon Herb Chicken recipe is the easiest way to prepare chicken and is absolutely delicious! It's a great weeknight entree the entire family will love.

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Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken is a simple weeknight dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes. Not to mention, bursting with flavor and so easy to make!

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Sweet and Spiced Chicken

Sweet and Spiced Chicken will send your taste buds soaring. Serve this on it's own with some vegetables or use it to top your salads!

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Chicken, Peach & Bell Pepper Skewers

These Chicken, Peach and Bell Pepper Skewers are marinated in a tangy, sweet marinade that is beyond delicious. They're a perfect recipe for your summer BBQs!

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Chicken Tikka with Cucumber Mint Raita

Chicken Tikka is marinated in greek yogurt with Indian spices to create the most juicy chicken ever. Serve with a refreshing Cucumber Mint Raita for the perfect combo!

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Grilled Chicken & Corn Quesadilla

I love making quesadillas when I have leftover chicken breast. It's a simple way to make last night's dinner into something different for lunch!

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Arepas with Pulled Poblano Chicken

This recipe will get you out of your comfort zone, but will be quickly added to your family's favorite meals!

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Chinese Chicken Salad

This is another recipe I love to make when I have leftover chicken breast. It's fresh, crunchy and of course super tasty.

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Chicken Paillard with Summer Salad

Chicken Paillard is in my top favorite ways to prepare chicken breasts. They're tender and juicy with a crispy exterior that's unreal.

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Mu Shu Chicken

Shredded chicken breasts in a delectable sauce makes Mu Shu Chicken an irresistible recipe you've got to try.

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Pretzel Fried Chicken

Pretzel Fried Chicken is the crispiest and most tender fried chicken you'll ever make! Crunchy pretzels coat the outside to give you the most satisfying crunch.

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Stir-Fried Chicken in Lettuce Cups

These lettuce cups are crunchy and fresh. In combination with the stir-fried chicken with herbs and a slightly sweet sauce it's really something special.

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Let me know in the comments what recipes you’re making with this versatile protein! And of course tag me on social media if you make one of these recipes!

Published August 4, 2022 by Catherine McCord

Categorized in All Recipes, Entrees, Freeze Well Recipes, Meats and Proteins, Roundups, School Lunch Ideas, Toddler Recipes

About the Author

Catherine is a mama of three. A Kentucky girl living in California. Here’s what I know: all kids can be great eaters and mealtime must be easy. I create simple, healthy recipes the whole family will love.

Learn More

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20 Chicken Breast Recipes (Healthy and Simple!) - Weelicious (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat chicken breast for weight loss? ›

4 weight loss-friendly ways to eat chicken
  1. Poached. Poaching is a really easy way to cook chicken that doesn't involve adding any fat. ...
  2. Steamed. Steaming is much like poaching in that it results in super tender chicken without added oil. ...
  3. Stir-fried. ...
  4. Grilled.
Jan 8, 2024

What is the secret to cooking chicken breast? ›

Chicken breasts must be at room temperature before going in the pan as cold chicken can cook unevenly and tends to be tough. Allow the chicken breast to sit out for 20 minutes. That should do the trick.

Is eating 2 chicken breast healthy? ›

According to the American Heart Association, eating lean poultry, like chicken breast, can be a part of a heart-healthy diet. And data shows that a high intake of poultry does not adversely affect cardiovascular disease risk, per a 2021 review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.

Is it better to bake or pan fry chicken breast? ›

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.

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.

How many chicken breasts should I eat a day to lose weight? ›

So, how much chicken can you eat? No matter what type of protein you're enjoying as part of your weight loss diet, you want to aim for a serving size no larger than a deck of cards [9]. You can also assess your intake in terms of calories. In 100g of cooked chicken breast, for example, there are about 158 calories [2].

Can I eat chicken every day? ›

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 to avoid when cooking chicken breast? ›

6 Chicken Breast Mistakes That Can Easily Leave You With a Dry, Flavorless Meal
  1. You Didn't Thaw Them Soon Enough.
  2. You're Not Using Skin-on, Bone-In.
  3. You're Not Marinating Them.
  4. You're Not Adequately Seasoning Them.
  5. You're Overcooking Them.
  6. You're Not Letting Them Rest.
Jan 4, 2023

How to make chicken breast taste great? ›

Here are 7 tricks to make chicken breasts taste better and even totally delicious.
  1. Cook them right. Most people get scared and overcook chicken breasts, cooking out all the moisture and leaving them tough and dry. ...
  2. Marinate them. ...
  3. Cut them thin. ...
  4. Fry them. ...
  5. Stuff them. ...
  6. Shred them. ...
  7. Use the right pan.

How do you get the most flavor out of chicken breast? ›

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.

How many times a week should you eat chicken breast? ›

Can I eat chicken everyday? Absolutely. Grilled or baked chicken throughout the week is the suggested way to prepare chicken. You can make simple, healthy chicken dinners, served over a salad of mixed greens, or mixed with peppers and onions for fajitas.

What is it called when you don't eat red meat but eat chicken? ›

A pollotarian is a semi-vegetarian who eats only poultry and cuts red meat and pork from their diet. Health benefits that may be associated with becoming a pollotarian include a lowered risk of certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. A pollotarian is someone who eats poultry but not red meat or pork products.

What is the best form of protein? ›

Proteins that come from animal sources, such as meat, eggs, and milk, as well as soy and quinoa, are called complete proteins. This means they contain all the essential amino acids the body needs and are the highest-quality protein sources. You can also get essential amino acids from plant-based foods.

Is it healthier to grill or bake chicken breast? ›

Overall, both cooking methods are perfect for making chicken. They have some pros and cons, like baked chicken, which is healthier but has a mild flavour, while grilled chicken gives you a delicious, bold flavour but requires more oil or fat and attention while cooking.

Is it healthier to steam or bake chicken? ›

Steam Cooking with Meat and Poultry

In fact, Harvard Medical School recommends steaming as a cooking method for a healthy diet. Preparing meat at extremely high temperatures can increase disease risk due to the formation of compounds, but so can cooking for long periods using methods that cause nutrient loss.

Is it healthier to fry or bake chicken breast? ›

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.

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