5 Healthy Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

By Beauty Adams
January 21, 2024

Chicken is one of the most versatile and popular proteins in the world. It’s lean, low in fat, high in protein, and easy to cook. But sometimes, it can get boring to eat the same old chicken dishes over and over again. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 5 healthy chicken recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and easy to make. Whether you’re looking for a cozy soup, a crispy oven-fried treat, or a zesty salad, you’ll find something to suit your taste buds and your health goals. Let’s get started!

1. Creamy Chicken Potpie

Nothing beats a warm and comforting chicken potpie on a cold day. This recipe uses phyllo dough instead of a traditional pie crust, which makes it lighter and crispier. It also has a creamy filling with chicken, mushrooms, carrots, peas, and herbs. You can make individual servings or a large pie to share with your family. This dish is sure to satisfy your cravings without weighing you down.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Cooking spray
8 sheets phyllo dough, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, vegetables, parsley, and thyme and remove from heat.
Coat a 9-inch pie plate or four 10-ounce ramekins with cooking spray. Spoon chicken mixture into prepared dish or dishes. Cover with phyllo dough, tucking edges under. Spray phyllo with cooking spray and cut several slits on top. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1/4 of recipe):

Calories: 388
Fat: 11 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 86 mg
Sodium: 414 mg
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 6 g
Protein: 34 g

2. Teriyaki Marinated Chicken

If you love Asian flavors, you’ll love this teriyaki marinated chicken recipe. It’s simple, quick, and flavorful. All you need is soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger to make a delicious marinade that infuses the chicken with sweet and savory notes. You can grill, broil, or bake the chicken, depending on your preference. Serve it with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin (Japanese rice wine)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Cooking spray

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger until well combined. Place chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag and pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat or oven to 375°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade. Grill or bake chicken until cooked through and juices run clear, about 15 to 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Transfer to a platter and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 chicken breast):

Calories: 222
Fat: 3 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 99 mg
Sodium: 538 mg
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 10 g
Protein: 34 g

3. Chicken Waldorf Salad

This chicken Waldorf salad is a classic recipe that never goes out of style. It’s crunchy, creamy, and fruity, with a tangy dressing that ties everything together. It’s also a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. You can enjoy it as a light lunch or a side dish, or serve it on lettuce leaves, bread, or crackers for a more filling option.

Ingredients

1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
2 medium apples, cored and diced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. In a large bowl, toss together chicken, apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1/4 of recipe):

Calories: 314
Fat: 14 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 83 mg
Sodium: 287 mg
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 17 g
Protein: 28 g

4. Oven-Fried Chicken on a Stick

Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Unfortunately, it’s not the healthiest choice, as it’s high in fat, calories, and sodium. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy the crispy and juicy taste of fried chicken with this oven-fried chicken on a stick recipe. It’s fun, easy, and kid-friendly. You just need to coat chicken tenders with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and bake them in the oven. Then, you can dip them in your favorite sauce, such as honey mustard, barbecue, or hot sauce.

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
1/4 cup low-fat milk
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Cooking spray
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
12 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, salt, and pepper. In another shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk. In a third shallow dish, stir together breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Thread each chicken tender onto a skewer, leaving some space at the end. Dip each skewer in flour mixture, shaking off excess, then in egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then in breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on prepared baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake until chicken is cooked through and coating is golden and crisp, about 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (2 skewers):

Calories: 260
Fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg
Sodium: 346 mg
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 2 g
Protein: 26 g

5. Sicilian Olive Chicken

This Sicilian olive chicken recipe is full of Mediterranean flavors, such as tomatoes, spinach, olives, and capers. It’s a one-skillet dish that’s easy to make and easy to clean up. The chicken is simmered in a rich and tangy tomato sauce, then topped with cheese and served over pasta or rice. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that will transport you to Italy.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup chopped green olives
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Cooked pasta or rice, for serving

Directions

Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and cook chicken, turning once, until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
In the same skillet over medium heat, cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, olives, capers, and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Return chicken to skillet and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Serve chicken and sauce over pasta or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 chicken breast and 1/4 of sauce):

Calories: 305
Fat: 11 g
Saturated fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 101 mg
Sodium: 653 mg
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 8 g
Protein: 38 g

FAQs

Q: How do I store and reheat leftover chicken dishes?

A: You can store leftover chicken dishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can use the microwave, oven, or stovetop, depending on the dish and your preference. Make sure the chicken is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before eating.

Q: How do I make my chicken dishes more flavorful?

A: There are many ways to add flavor to your chicken dishes, such as using different spices, herbs, sauces, marinades, rubs, or glazes. You can also experiment with different cooking methods, such as grilling, roasting, baking, or frying. You can also pair your chicken with different sides, such as salads, grains, vegetables, or fruits.

Q: How do I make my chicken dishes more healthy?

A: You can make your chicken dishes healthier by choosing lean cuts of chicken, such as boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, and trimming any excess fat or skin. You can also use low-fat or non-fat dairy products, such as yogurt, milk, or cheese, instead of cream or butter. You can also use whole-wheat or gluten-free flour, breadcrumbs, or pasta, instead of refined ones. You can also add more vegetables, fruits, nuts, or seeds to your dishes, to increase the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Conclusion

Chicken is a healthy and delicious protein that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you’re looking for a cozy, crispy, fruity, or zesty dish, you’ll find a recipe that suits your taste and your health goals in this list. Try these 5 healthy chicken recipes and let me know what you think in the comments below. Bon appétit!