44 Healthy Chicken Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

From better-for-you takes on lasagna and chicken Parmesan to healthier spins on chicken fingers and pizza, these are meals you’ll want to make again and again.

December 20, 2022

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Winning Weeknight Ideas

When you need a family-friendly meal idea, chicken is always a winner. It’s incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with just about any seasoning or spice blend. Plus, you can prep it advance and use it in a variety of ways: salads, grain bowls, tacos and more. You can even stock prepped chicken in your freezer for a ready-to-cook weeknight stir-fry on the fly. Is there anything chicken can’t do? It should come as no surprise then, that chicken is a great choice when you want to put a healthy meal on the table, too. There are lots of ways to use this powerhouse protein but we can’t get enough of these homemade chicken fingers. The store-bought version is often loaded with all kinds of can’t-pronounce ingredients. This better-for-you take relies on simple ingredients — and is still freezer-friendly, making healthy eating that much easier.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Frozen Chicken Fingers

Chicken and Dumplings

This crowd-pleasing chicken favorite has a healthier profile, thanks to low-fat milk and whole-wheat white flour in the comforting dumplings.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken Chasseur (Hunter-style Chicken)

This French-style classic is rich with Bobby’s creamy, wine-tomato-and-mushroom sauce. Perfect for a night in.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Chasseur (Hunter-style Chicken)

Lemon Herb Chicken Pasta with Green Peas, Snap Peas and Spinach

Eddie's gorgeous lemony chicken pasta feels like spring with the addition of green peas, spinach and snap peas, plus fresh parsley and basil.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Herb Chicken Pasta with Green Peas, Snap Peas and Spinach

Chicken-Chickpea Curry

Don’t know what to do with your canned chickpeas? They’re the perfect ingredient for bulking up this chicken curry.

Get the Recipe: Chicken-Chickpea Curry

Buffalo Chicken Salad

The highlight of this salad is Ellie's easy blue cheese dressing. Low-fat buttermilk and fat-free yogurt keep the calories low but the flavor high.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad

Roman-Style Chicken

Giada packs her hearty chicken dish with fresh herbs, tomatoes and peppers, keeping it light yet satisfying.

Get the Recipe: Roman-Style Chicken

Marinated Chicken Breasts

Marinating chicken breasts in a homemade herbed-vinaigrette ensures that the meat stays moist and flavorful when it's grilled.

Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Breasts

Baked Chicken Fajita Naan Pizza

Having an arsenal of foolproof recipes you can effortlessly whip up in minutes is key to eating healthfully even on the busiest days. Here, Tex-Mex flavors meet Indian in a chicken fajita naan pizza that's easy to make. Throw it in the oven and in less than 15 minutes you'll be sitting down to a tasty meal.

Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Fajita Naan Pizza

Chicken Fingers with Curried Ketchup

These chicken fingers are baked, not fried, but they're coated in panko crumbs (Japanese breadcrumbs), which make them just as crispy as the fried version.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Fingers With Curried Ketchup

Stuffed Chicken Divan with a Sherry Dijon Sauce

Try a modern take on this normally cheese-filled dish. Crisp broccoli and tender chicken pair well with a low-calorie sherry sauce that tastes just as decadent as the full-fat version.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Divan with a Sherry Dijon Sauce

Greek Spinach-Stuffed Chicken

An easy way to incorporate more greens into your diet? Mix tender baby spinach with salty feta cheese and stuff it inside lean chicken breast before cooking.

Get the Recipe: Greek Spinach-Stuffed Chicken

Garlic-Ginger Chicken Thighs

Save yourself some time on the day of a cookout and marinate your chicken in a blend of garlic, ginger, soy sauce and orange juice the night before.

Get the Recipe: Dirty P's Garlic-Ginger Chicken Thighs

Curried Chicken and Rice Soup

Dill, lemon and curry add a boost of bold flavor to chicken soup, without any added fat.

Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken and Rice Soup

Orange Chicken Fingers

Lighten up traditional takeout fare by coating chicken in crushed rice cereal. Don't forget the sweet and tangy low-sugar orange dipping sauce made from marmalade and teriyaki sauce.

Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken Fingers

Hearty Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Skip sodium-laden soup from the can and make your own with chicken, carrots, celery, whole-wheat pasta and spinach.

Get the Recipe: Hearty Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Sweet Soy-Glazed Chicken

A sweet-and-savory glaze is the perfect way to dress up plain chicken thighs. This one only requires a handful of ingredients: sweet soy glaze, rice vinegar and garlic.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Soy-Glazed Chicken

Apple-Honey Drumsticks

Enjoy these drumsticks with their zesty-sweet sauce at little more than 300 calories per pair. Bonus: Drumsticks are one of the most inexpensive parts of the chicken, so this recipe is as friendly to your wallet as it is your waistline.

Get the Recipe: Apple-Honey Drumsticks

40 Cloves and a Chicken

Alton bakes chicken with 40 (yes, 40!) cloves of garlic and fresh thyme. The sharp flavor of the garlic mellows as it cooks and the resulting meat is ultra-flavorful.

Get the Recipe: 40 Cloves and a Chicken

Spring Chicken Salad

The Greek yogurt-based dressing in this salad is a great substitute for store-bought alternatives.

Get the Recipe: Spring Chicken Salad

Chicken Parm Wings

No one will be missing the gluten when they get a taste of these crispy wings, which include all the signature elements of a classic chicken Parm.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Wings

Honey-Mustard Chicken and Apples

In this chicken dish, be sure to use apples that are good for cooking such as Cortlands, which are resistant to browning and bring a tart, bright flavor.

Get the Recipe: Honey-Mustard Chicken and Apples

Creamy Lemon-Pepper Orzo With Grilled Chicken

If you love risotto but want something quicker, this simple orzo takes half the time. Rich cheese and cream are switched out for tangy Greek yogurt and goat cheese for equally-satisfying creaminess. Sweet green peas plus fragrant tarragon and basil scream spring, even though this dish is a year-round classic.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon-Pepper Orzo with Grilled Chicken

Grilled Caribbean Chicken Thighs

Who ever said that healthy eating had to be boring? This dinner is a tropical treat, flavored with mango, lime and jerk seasoning.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Honey Chicken Thighs with Eggplant Mango Salad

Middle Eastern-Style Chicken, Veggies and Rice

This one-dish meal is packed with flavor and as easy as it is healthy. Rotisserie chicken, microwavable brown rice and pre-trimmed beans make this meal a cinch to prepare in less than 30 minutes. The bold spice blend and toasted nuts bring warm Moroccan flavor that'll make this dish memorable.

Get the Recipe: Easy One-Pan Chicken, Veggies and Rice

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Lasagna

Have to feed a crowd? Craving something comforting? Need a quick and easy weeknight meal? Looking for a recipe that freezes beautifully? This veggie-packed chicken lasagna checks all the boxes.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Chicken Lasagna

Spicy Kale and Corn Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Superfood kale and sweet corn create a duo rich in vitamin A. The pepper jack cheese adds tons of spice while binding the stuffing for the chicken. If spicy's not your thing, try Monterey Jack or Havarti cheese instead for creamy without the heat.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Kale and Corn Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Sesame-Lemon Chicken

With a rub made from sesame seeds and lemon zest, chicken thighs become the centerpiece of this healthy main dish, which includes a simple lettuce and tomato salad.

Get the Recipe: Sesame-Lemon Chicken

Chicken and Rice Paprikash Casserole

The classic Hungarian dish becomes a one-dish dinner in this healthier take, which is made with skinless chicken thighs and brown rice. A dollop of reduced-fat sour cream goes on top.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Paprikash Casserole

Chicken Rollatini

A dish worth every bit of work, this chicken cutlet is stuffed with bread and provolone and wrapped in savory pancetta. There’s no better way to eat healthy!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Rollatini

Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Potatoes

This simplest of chicken dinners pairs juicy bone-in chicken breasts with baby potatoes and a touch of chopped rosemary.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Potatoes

Roasted Chicken with Pumpkin Seed Salsa

Toasted pumpkin seeds mixed with cilantro and chiles become the Mexican-inspired salsa for a roasted chicken with a cumin-coriander rub.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken with Pumpkin Seed Salsa

Herbal Chicken Sandwiches with Apple-Avocado Smoothie

The herbal-tea flavor of this poached-chicken sandwich pairs perfectly with the creamy avocado smoothie.

Get the Recipe: Herbal Chicken Sandwiches with Apple-Avocado Smoothie

Grilled Chicken with Spelt, Pear and Watercress Salad

This easy dinner has it all. It starts with lean protein from the skinless chicken breasts. Then it gets whole grains and green vegetables from the salad — a mix of watercress and spelt berries tossed with a simple lemon dressing and topped with tasty cheese shavings.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Spelt, Pear and Watercress Salad

Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes

This saucy chicken parm-inspired dish skips the breading, opting to add some toasted focaccia breadcrumbs to the dish near the end of the cooking process. It’s a genius way to get all the classic flavors into the dish.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes

Greek Chicken Salad with Whole-Wheat Pita and Yogurt with Apricots

Use grilled triangles of whole-wheat pita and a crunchy romaine salad with lemon-oregano dressing as the bed for simply grilled chicken. For a healthy dessert, soak dried apricots in orange juice and serve atop yogurt.

Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Salad with Whole Wheat Pita and Yogurt with Apricots

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken with Corn Salad

This BBQ sauce packs a powerful punch of vitamins and antioxidants from the mango, raisins and sun-dried tomatoes. It pairs perfectly with juicy chicken thighs but goes just as well with grilled pork chops.

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken with Corn Salad

Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Tender chicken, asparagus, snow peas and carrots get sauteed with apricot preserves and fresh tarragon for a fresh and healthy dinner that's ready in just 35 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Honey Mustard and Red Onion Barbecued Chicken

A small dose of allspice and curry powder in the honey mustard basting sauce brings robust flavor to Rachael's tender barbecued chicken.

Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard and Red Onion Barbecued Chicken

Lentil-Crusted Chicken Parmesan

There are some days when you need a comforting chicken dish that doesn't require too much cooking time. Chicken Parmesan certainly fits that criteria. This version uses red lentils as part of the breading mixture, for extra nutrition.

Get the Recipe: Lentil-Crusted Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Noodle Soup

With just eight ingredients and seven minutes' prep time, you can have Alton's lighter take on classic chicken noodle soup ready in a pinch.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Herb-Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

"Fit Chef" Eddie makes a herb-roasted whole chicken with carrots, turnips and rutabaga that will make your entire house smell delicious.

Get the Recipe: Herb-Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

Ginger-Scallion Chicken Parchment Pack

Season chicken tenders with this Asian-inspired marinade. When you cook them in parchment paper with snow peas and shitake mushrooms, you seal the flavor and moisture inside without added fat and calories.

Get the Recipe: Ginger-Scallion Chicken Parchment Pack

Grilled Chicken with Roasted Kale

Roasting kale creates a crispy texture that pairs perfectly with simply grilled chicken. Fresh lemon juice adds a dose of freshness to this easy, healthy dish.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken With Roasted Kale

On Tonight

44 Healthy Chicken Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

Related To:

Winning Weeknight Ideas

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken Chasseur (Hunter-style Chicken)

Lemon Herb Chicken Pasta with Green Peas, Snap Peas and Spinach

Chicken-Chickpea Curry

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Roman-Style Chicken

Marinated Chicken Breasts

Baked Chicken Fajita Naan Pizza

Chicken Fingers with Curried Ketchup

Stuffed Chicken Divan with a Sherry Dijon Sauce

Greek Spinach-Stuffed Chicken

Garlic-Ginger Chicken Thighs

Curried Chicken and Rice Soup

Orange Chicken Fingers

Hearty Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Sweet Soy-Glazed Chicken

Apple-Honey Drumsticks

40 Cloves and a Chicken

Spring Chicken Salad

Chicken Parm Wings

Honey-Mustard Chicken and Apples

Creamy Lemon-Pepper Orzo With Grilled Chicken

Grilled Caribbean Chicken Thighs

Middle Eastern-Style Chicken, Veggies and Rice

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Lasagna

Spicy Kale and Corn Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Sesame-Lemon Chicken

Chicken and Rice Paprikash Casserole

Chicken Rollatini

Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Potatoes

Roasted Chicken with Pumpkin Seed Salsa

Herbal Chicken Sandwiches with Apple-Avocado Smoothie

Grilled Chicken with Spelt, Pear and Watercress Salad

Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes

Greek Chicken Salad with Whole-Wheat Pita and Yogurt with Apricots

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken with Corn Salad

Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Honey Mustard and Red Onion Barbecued Chicken

Lentil-Crusted Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Noodle Soup

Herb-Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

Ginger-Scallion Chicken Parchment Pack

Grilled Chicken with Roasted Kale

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