Skip the Oil and the Sodium With These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
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Skip the Oil and the Sodium With These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Our bet is that chicken is a weeknight staple at your house. And if that's true, then it's also likely that you (and your kids!) sometimes find that this go-to protein can become tiresome if it's served too frequently. The trick, then, is to rely on vastly different seasonings and sources of heat to change things up — and we've got you covered there. This collection of healthy chicken dinners can get you through two whole months without anyone feeling bored.
Transform this versatile diet staple into flavorful entrées fit for the whole family with the help of delicious seasonings, salsas, and sides. Whether you're looking for an easy sheet pan dinner or set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker recipes, we've got ideas for every appetite. And so many of these include heart-healthy veggies, beans, and whole grains for a well-rounded meal.
Skinless, boneless chicken can form the basis of any healthy eating plan, as it's an excellent source of protein that's low in saturated fat and high in the essential nutrient choline. Grilled or rotisserie chicken will contain less calories and fat than breaded or fried versions — not to mention other processed, red meats. Feel free to switch it up between chicken breasts, which have slightly more protein, and chicken thighs, which contain more iron. Both nutritionally dense choices belong in the rotation, no matter which type of diet you ascribe to. Ready for some menu ideas? Check out these must-try healthy chicken dinner recipes to revamp your weeknight meals, stat.
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Cheesy Tex-Mex Stuffed Chicken
Nix your Chipotle craving in the bud with this 30-minute dinner. A zesty mix of scallions, jalapeños, cilantro, and Monterey Jack get tucked in stuffed chicken breasts.
Get the recipe for Cheesy Tex-Mex Stuffed Chicken »
RELATED: 70+ Healthy Dinners to Make Tonight
- 3/61
Moroccan Olive and Orange Chicken
Swap brown rice for the pilaf in this North African-inspired recipe and you'll get an extra fiber-filled boost from the whole grains.
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- 4/61
Broccoli-Parmesan Chicken Soup
A healthy, cheesy soup? It's possible when you load up on the broccoli and spinach. One bowl will run you less than 350 calories.
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Grilled Chicken With Coconut-Lime Slaw
You'd be hard pressed to find a dinner under 250 calories that eats this hearty and is this filling. The best part? It's ready in 20.
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Chicken Curry
Looking for a dinner that can be served in 30 minutes or less? This ultrafast curry makes use of garlic, ginger, onions, and a few other spices to create a bold dish in half the time.
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- 7/61
Spatchcocked Roasted Chicken
Spending a little extra time to butterfly a whole bird (a.k.a. spatchcocking it!) can help it cook much faster. The gentle herbs and spices used here will please even the pickiest of eaters.
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Pan-Fried Chicken With Lemony Roasted Broccoli
We love a good one-pot dinner, and this sautéed broccoli and chicken make for a quick-yet-delicious meal.
Get the recipe for Pan-Fried Chicken With Lemony Roasted Broccoli »
- 9/61
Chicken Roulades With Marinated Tomatoes
Stuffing a chicken breast makes it doubly delicious, and the addition of iron-rich spinach manages makes this healthy dinner even lighter.
Get the recipe for Chicken Roulades With Marinated Tomatoes »
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- 10/61
Roasted Sweet Potato and Chicken Salad
A hearty trifecta of sweet potatoes, chicken, and avocado mean this salad recipe will actually fill you up. It's the umami-flavored miso vinaigrette that will inspire you to make it again and again.
- 11/61
Autumn Squash Salad With Chicken
Buy precut butternut squash to save yourself some time — or learn how to chop it up yourself with this handy tutorial.
Get the recipe for Autumn Squash Salad With Chicken »
RELATED: 10+ Delicious Fall Salad Recipes to Make the Most of Harvest Season
- 12/61
Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken With Fennel and Radicchio Salad
You'll find both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton whipping up roast chicken in their kitchens ... so what are you waiting for?
Get the recipe for Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken With Fennel and Radicchio Salad »
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- 13/61
Caribbean Chicken Thighs
Calling all Crock Pot and Instant Pot fans: This recipe simmers in your slow cooker all day for tender, fall-off-the-bone meat by dinner time.
Get the recipe for Caribbean Chicken Thighs »
RELATED: 25 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes That Basically Make Themselves
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Seared Coconut-Lime Chicken With Snap Pea Slaw
Crunchy peas and zingy ginger lend themselves to a fresh and verdant plate. Go ahead and reach for seconds – it's only 290 calories per serving!
Get the recipe for Seared Coconut-Lime Chicken With Snap Pea Slaw »
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Slow Cooker Sesame-Garlic Chicken
Lighten this Chinese takeout classic even further by serving over a bed of low-carb cauliflower rice instead. The cauli kind cooks faster, too.
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- 16/61
Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash
Creamy, crumbled feta adds just the right amount of saltiness to balance out a sweet glaze. Don't forget to sprinkle with mint just before serving!
Get the recipe for Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash »
- 17/61
Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers
This recipe makes extra roasted bell peppers that you can add to a salad or omelette the day next — so smart.
- 18/61
Grilled Chicken Romesco
What is Romesco, you ask? Consider this Catalonian condiment as next-level tomato sauce with the addition of nuts, peppers, garlic, and sherry vinegar.
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- 19/61
Instant Pot Chicken Soup
If you didn't already own an Instant Pot, the possibility of making homemade chicken soup in just 30 minutes will convince you to make the leap. Get even more pressure cooker recipes in our Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook.
- 20/61
Grilled Basil Chicken and Zucchini
Fire up the grill for this summery dish that takes a mere 20 minutes to make. Sliced red chile will add another kind of heat.
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Light Chicken Cacciatore
Loaded with olives, diced tomatoes, and cremini mushrooms, you won't even notice this classic Italian dish isn't sitting on a bed of pasta (until now).
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- 22/61
Spiced Sesame Chicken With Carrots and Couscous
Go all out for game day with sticky-sweet sesame drumsticks and carrot fries (sweet potatoes, who?).
Get the recipe for Spiced Sesame Chicken With Carrots and Couscous »
- 23/61
Herb-Roasted Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes
Fennel and rosemary bring life — and flavor! — to this hearty dish.
Get the recipe for Herb-Roasted Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes »
- 24/61
Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry
Bust out the Sriracha for this 20-minute meal. If that's too spicy for your taste, omit it altogether and make it a sweet dish instead.
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- 25/61
Chicken Marsala
This Italian-inspired meal still has its famous creamy, decadent flavor but without the high calorie count. Yes and yes.
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Turmer Chicken With Lemon Radish Salad
Jamie Vespa, MS, RD, the brains behind Dishing Out Health, combined the delicate profile of a juicy radish with the kick of turmeric in this incredibly satisfying dinner. You'll be licking the yogurt sauce off the plate!
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Peanut Noodles With Chicken
The more veggies you add to this Asian-inspired dish, the more delicious it will be.
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- 28/61
Air Fried Chicken Breast
Healthier fried chicken is possible with the help of an air fryer — which helps you fry up tender yet crispy breasts without copious amounts of oil.
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Air-Fried Drumsticks
It's the closest thing you'll ever get to "healthy" fried chicken. Unlike the kind you get from a hot bar or a drive thru, these crispy drumsticks are free of hydrogenated oil and lots of sodium.
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Crispy Chicken Thighs With Buttermilk Fennel Salad
Chicken thighs are cheap, delicious, and most of all, so easy and versatile to make. This version sings thanks to a creamy salad with a riff on ranch dressing.
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- 31/61
Keto-Friendly Chicken Fajita Bowl
You can prep these flavorful bowls ahead of time as part of your weekly meal prep, and while they're designed to assist Keto dieters, everyone will love classic fajita flavors here.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
RELATED: The 10 Best Keto Cookbooks of 2020
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Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken
In a rush? Throw five ingredients on a pan and enjoy!
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Chipotle Orange Chicken
Everyone needs a standout grilled chicken recipe, and these spicy and citrusy thighs are our go-to.
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- 34/61
Chicken With Creamy Spinach and Artichokes
A squeeze of lemon does wonders on this classic roasted chicken dish.
Get the recipe for Chicken With Creamy Spinach and Artichokes »
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Lemon-Dill Chicken Meatball Soup
Chicken breast makes for a leaner alternative to regular red meat — and they'll be just as delicious.
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Skillet Lemon Chicken With Artichokes
These easy-to-make zesty chicken thighs will cook in just 30 minutes' time.
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- 37/61
Smoky Peanut Chicken Tacos
Taco night just got a little more interesting.
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Waldorf Salad
Got leftovers? Turn this flavor-packed salad into a wrap for tomorrow's lunch.
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Caribbean Chicken and "Rice"
There's nothing more genius than cauliflower rice — except when you put a coconut and hot sauce-glazed piece of chicken on top.
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- 40/61
Slow-Cooker Tex-Mex Chicken Soup
Turn on the Crock-Pot and take the night off. You deserve it.
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Honey Mustard-Glazed Chicken Bake
Can we all agree that honey mustard is the greatest condiment of all time?
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Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
Know what makes grilled chicken kebabs even better? Toasted pita and garlicky tomatoes.
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- 43/61
Chicken Quinoa Bowls
With 500 calories per serving, this feel-good grain bowl is the perfect light meal to chow down on when your night gets a little hectic.
Get the recipe for Chicken Quinoa Bowls »
RELATED: 40+ Healthy Lunch Ideas That Will Actually Keep You Full Until Dinner
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Chicken Taco Pizzas
This protein-packed taco pizza will please even the pickiest of eaters. Subbing pitas for pizza dough is a smart carb hack!
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Gingery Chicken and Spinach Stir-Fry
It's better than a drive thru and ready in only ten minutes, no wok necessary!
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- 46/61
Braised Chicken Thighs With Almonds and Olives
If you haven't paired soft olives with freshly chopped almonds... what are you waiting for?! This texture profile is super unique (and probably one of the most delicious combos we've tasted).
Get the recipe for Braised Chicken Thighs With Almonds and Olives »
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Crispy Baked Chicken
Try this recipe when you want fried chicken, but not the food coma that comes with it.
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Rustic Smoky Glazed Chicken and Veggie Bake
Throw it all on the pan, roast it up, and call it dinner.
Get the recipe for Rustic Smoky Glazed Chicken and Veggie Bake »
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- 49/61
Rotisserie Chicken Cobb Salad
Cobb salads are classic. Plus, using store-bought rotisserie chicken will make your weeknight cooking a breeze.
- 50/61
Grilled Chicken With Herbed Corn Salsa
Trust us. You're gonna want to make a double batch of that cheesy, corn salsa.
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Sweet and Sticky Chicken With Snow Peas
The messier the food, the tastier. Get the wet wipes out for this one.
Get the recipe for Sweet and Sticky Chicken With Snow Peas »
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- 52/61
Lemon-Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes
Dinner's more fun when you get to unwrap it. Oh, and did we mention zero cleanup?
- 53/61
Chicken Adobo Over Gingery Rice
Don't skip on the brown rice. You're going to want something to soak up all that garlicky, gingery goodness.
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Nutty Chicken Noodles
Have dinner ready in six minutes — not even joking.
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- 55/61
Light Chicken Parmesan
Even if you're craving the real deal, a.k.a. stacks of crispy chicken and cheese, this leaner version definitely doesn't disappoint.
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Spanish Chicken and Peppers
This one-and-done sheet pan dinner means less dishes to wash. You're welcome!
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Roasted Baby Vine Tomato Grilled Chicken
Roasted cherry tomatoes bring bright flavors to this 45-minute-ready meal.
Get the recipe for Roasted Baby Vine Tomato Grilled Chicken »
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- 58/61
BBQ-Ranch Chicken Wraps
Forgo the fast food for these super simple wraps made with (shhh ... ) store-bought ranch.
- 59/61
Chicken and Red Plum Salad
Top a bowl of arugula with grilled chicken and plums for fresh fruity flavor.
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Basil Chile Chicken Stir-Fry
Stir-fry, the ultimate lazy human's dinner, never gets old.
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- 61/61
Moroccan-Spiced Chicken and Couscous
Fancy enough for your dinner party, easy enough for weeknight dinner. Put this one in your arsenal. Find 115+ more amazing chicken recipes in the cookbook Slim Chicken!
Say hello to your new weeknight dinner heroes. 😍