Tired Of Eating Chicken? Hear Us Out.
Chock full of protein, easy to cook, and complementary to so many flavors, chicken is a certified weeknight hero. But finding new, healthy recipes to shuffle into your repertoire can be challenging. Enter: This collection of epic, easy, healthy chicken recipes (really!). Get your grocery lists ready...
Featuring the lovable, lean protein, these ideas draw inspiration from flavors across the globe and use various cooking methods to prepare chicken in all sorts of ways, from warming soups and veggie-packed plates to loaded wraps, grain bowls, stews, salads, and more.
While nothing here is vegetarian, of course, I included options that fit into a variety of diets, including gluten-free and keto chicken recipes.
Why trust Women's Health? The team of food experts in the WH Test Kitchen develop, tweak, then cross-test each recipe (that means that every recipe is made—and tasted—at least twice!) before it's ready for your kitchen.
Many of these recipes use chicken breast (the blank-canvas cut, IMO) and slather it with nutty marinades, bright citrus, aromatic broths, herby pestos, or punchy dressings—because the protein can stand up to pretty much any flavor combo.
Chicken thighs are also an ace choice; while they're higher in fat, they offer a satisfying bite and more pronounced, savory flavor (and irresistibly crispy skin if you purchase bone-in, skin-on cuts).
And if you think "healthy" means "sad," stop right there. These recipes incorporate hearty grains, creamy sauces, fired-up spice, and plenty of crunch to keep things very interesting.
So whether you're craving a simple chicken salad, chicken curry over rice, or citrus-y chicken with veggies, there's a delicious pick for you on this list.
Curious about your options beyond chicken? Check out WH's complete collection of healthy dinners.
Lemon-Thyme Chicken With Shaved Brussels Sprouts
Sometimes, the best way to amp up the flavor of chicken breast is to serve it with a killer side, like this crunchy Brussels sprout slaw tossed in a delish dressing.
Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken With Shaved Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Per serving: 455 cal, 21.5 g fat (4 g sat), 44.5 g protein, 555 mg sodium, 23.5 g carb, 14 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 5.5 g fiber
Thai-Style Peanut Chicken Wrap
Boost the bone-building vitamin K of any sandwich by swapping in a crunchy Swiss chard wrap for the bread.
Get the Thai-Style Peanut Chicken Wrap recipe.
Per serving: About 207 cal, 8.5 g fat (3.5 g sat), 47 mg chol, 222 mg sodium, 12 g carb, 3 g fiber, 6.5 g sugar (1.5 g added sugar), 21 g pro
Greek Chicken And Farro Salad
Add some staying power to a Greek-inspired salad with hearty farro and lemony chicken.
Get the Greek Chicken and Farro Salad recipe.
Per serving: 380 cal, 10 g fat (1.5 g sat), 26 g protein, 198 mg sodium, 44 g carb, 4 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 7 g fiber
Smoky Chicken Quinoa Soup
Think soup can't fill you up? This protein-packed bowl (made with black beans, quinoa, and shredded chicken) proves otherwise.
Get the Smoky Chicken Quinoa Soup recipe.
Per serving: 488 cal, 14.5 g fat (2.5 g sat), 42 g protein, 945 mg sodium, 50 g carb, 7.5 g sugars (0.5 g added sugars), 12 g fiber
Spiced Chicken With Tomatoes And Chickpeas
Roast juicy tomatoes, crisp up canned chickpeas, and finish cooking seared chicken breast all on the same sheet pan.
Get the Spiced Chicken With Tomatoes And Chickpeas recipe.
Per serving: 391 cal, 16 g fat (2.5 g sat), 40 g protein, 589 mg sodium, 21 g carb, 5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 6 g fiber
Bok Choy, Radish, And Chicken Soba In Dashi Broth
Packed with scallion, dried kombu, garlic, ginger, and more aromatics, this broth is anything but basic.
Get the Bok Choy, Radish, and Chicken Soba in Dashi Broth recipe.
Per serving: 304 cal, 3 g fat (0.5 g sat), 29 g protein, 493 mg sodium, 39 g carb, 3.5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 5 g fiber
Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Spring Pea Salad
Quick tip: Cut chicken breasts horizontally in half to make thin cutlets, which cook up in a flash.
Get the Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Spring Pea Salad recipe.
Per serving: 259 cal, 12.5 g fat (3.5 g sat), 28 g protein, 539 mg sodium, 9 g carb, 3.5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 3 g fiber
Citrus Chicken With Asparagus And Peas
The combo of orange juice and broth quickly infuses this chicken breast with tons of flavor.
Get the Citrus Chicken With Asparagus And Peas recipe.
Per serving: 297 cal, 11 g fat (2 g sat), 35 g protein, 202 mg sodium, 12 g carb, 7 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 3 g fiber
Super-Fast Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Use your Instant Pot to cook creamy-on-the-inside sweet potatoes in minutes, then top 'em with shredded rotisserie chicken, broccoli, and cheese.
Get the Super-Fast Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes recipe.
RELATED: Is Rotisserie Chicken Healthy or Not?
Chicken Bone Broth
Store-bought broths can be loaded with sodium and other additives. Try your hand at homemade for a health—and flavor—upgrade.
Get the Chicken Bone Broth recipe.
RELATED: 8 Very Real Health Benefits Of Bone Broth, According To Nutritionists
Banana Chicken Curry
Overripe bananas blended with spices give this curry a subtle sweetness.
Get the Banana Chicken Curry recipe.
Chicken Fajita Wrap
Cook chicken and veggies on one skillet for a less-mess solution to dinner. (P.S. This whole sitch is ready in 20 minutes.)
Get the Chicken Fajita Wrap recipe.
Per serving: 259 cal, 10 g fat (2 g sat), 30 g protein, 338 mg sodium, 11 g carb, 5.5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 2 g fiber
Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Speed up the typically long-simmered Vietnamese soup by throwing all of the ingredients in your Instant Pot.
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Pho recipe.
Per serving: 234 cal, 5.5 g fat (1.5 g sat), 27 g protein, 724 mg sodium, 17 g carb, 0 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 0 g fiber
Coronation Chicken
Inspired by the recipe created in the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, this salad is equal parts sweet, tangy, and spicy (and 100% yum).
Get the Coronation Chicken recipe.
Harissa Chicken And Farro Salad
Dice up leftover chicken and toss with salad for an epic grain bowl—perfect for a healthy lunch the next day.
Get the Harissa Chicken and Farro Salad recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: 537 cal, 19.5 g fat (3 g sat), 106 mg chol, 415 mg sodium, 48 g carb, 6 g fiber, 8 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 40 g pro
Seared Chicken With Carrots And Mint-Almond Pesto
Think beyond pasta: Pesto makes a killer sauce for veggies and proteins, too.
Get the Seared Chicken With Carrots And Mint-Almond Pesto recipe from Woman's Day.
Per serving: 380 calories, 17 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 39 g protein, 475 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber
Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Chicken
The gentle acidity in a yogurt marinade tenderizes meat and helps create a craveworthy crust (read: win, win).
Get the Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Chicken recipe from Prevention.
Per serving: 352 cal, 39 g pro, 2 g carb, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 20 g fat (5.5 g sat fat), 126 mg chol, 569 mg sodium
Balsamic Chicken And Onion Salad
Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end of cooking creates a luxurious, sticky-sweet glaze without the need for added sugar.
Get the Balsamic Chicken And Onion Salad recipe from Prevention.
Per serving: 360 cal, 34 g pro, 16 g carb, 3 g fiber, 7.5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 17.5 g fat (2.5 g sat fat), 104 mg chol, 584 mg sodium
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Prefer a juicier cut than chicken breast? Consider thighs, which cook up nicely in a slightly sweet, hoisin-based sauce.
Get the Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: 370 cal, 20 g fat (2.5 g sat), 134 mg chol, 827 mg sodium, 17 g carb, 4 g fiber, 7.5 g sugar (5 g added sugar), 31 g pro
Sautéed Chicken And Tomatoes With Roasted Artichokes
Juicy tomatoes and a splash of wine create a built-in sauce. (Sopping up with crusty bread highly encouraged.)
Get the Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes With Roasted Artichokes recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: About 355 calories 14 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 40 g protein, 680 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber
Balsamic Chicken Caprese
Melty cheese can absolutely be part of a healthy diet, especially when paired with a lean protein and colorful veg. Exhibit A: This 5-ingredient dinner.
Get the Balsamic Chicken Caprese recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: 376 calories, 17 g fat (7 g saturated), 155 mg cholesterol, 489 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 3 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 48 g protein
Crispy Chicken Thighs With Buttermilk Fennel Salad
Cooking skin-on chicken thighs? Good. Start the chicken skin side down in a skillet to let the fat render slowly, resulting in crispy skin without the need for extra oil. So good.
Get the Crispy Chicken Thighs With Buttermilk Fennel Salad recipe from Woman's Day.
Per serving: 450 calories, 27 g fat (8 g saturated), 41 g protein, 495 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber
Chicken Satay With Spiralized-Carrot Salad
Between the soy-lemongrass marinade on the chicken and the creamy peanut sauce for dipping, everyone will be coming back for a second (or third) skewer.
Get the Chicken Satay With Spiralized-Carrot Salad recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: 485 calories, 29 g fat (10.5 g saturated), 37 g protein, 1,080 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber
Chicken And Shiitake In Red Cabbage Cups
Pile sweet 'n spicy chicken into red cabbage leaves for a healthy, colorful dinner that delivers major crunch.
Get the Chicken and Shiitake in Red Cabbage Cups recipe from Prevention.
Per serving: 329 cal, 18 g fat (3 g sat), 79 mg chol, 688 mg sodium, 11 g carb, 3 g fiber, 4 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 30 g pro
Snap Pea And Chicken Salad
Put your leftover rotisserie chicken to good use in this fresh, lemony main that you don't even have to cook. (You read that right.)
Get the Snap Pea and Chicken Salad recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: 348 cal, 30 g fat (7 g sat), 23 g pro, 896 mg sodium, 12 g carb, 3 g fiber
Spice-Roasted Chicken With Caramelized Carrots And Shallots
You don't have to be a confident cook to roast a whole chicken. Trust. This recipe shows just how easy—and tasty!—the process can be.
Get the Spice-Roasted Chicken With Caramelized Carrots and Shallots recipe from Prevention.
Per serving: 583 cal, 41 g pro, 18 g carb, 4 g fiber, 10.5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 38.5 g fat (10 g sat fat), 154 mg chol, 466 mg sodium
Grilled Jerk Chicken With Mango Cucumber Salad
Typically made with allspice, cayenne, and a pinch of brown sugar (among other spices), jerk seasoning instantly boosts the delish factor of grilled chicken breast.
Get the Grilled Jerk Chicken With Mango Cucumber Salad recipe from Woman's Day.
Per serving: 275 cal, 7.5 g gat (1.5 g sat fat), 36 g pro, 235 mg sodium, 15 g carb, 2 g fiber
Pan-Fried Chicken With Lemony Roasted Broccoli
Just a sprinkle of flour on chicken cutlets takes them to a whole new level—it allows them to brown nicely in a pan (which means wayyy more flavor).
Get the Pan-Fried Chicken With Lemony Roasted Broccoli recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: About 365 calories, 15.5 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 44 g protein, 375 mg sodium, 15 g carb, 5 g fiber
Lemon-Thyme Chicken
Keep a can of artichokes in your pantry and you're all set to make a super-speedy side any night of the week.
Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken recipe from Woman's Day.
Per serving: 345 calories, 13.5 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 41 g protein, 680 mg sodium, 14 g carb, 3 g fiber
RELATED: 10 Artichoke Health Benefits You Def Want To Get In On
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Roast peppers, onions, and pineapple on the same sheet pan as adobo-spiced chicken for a sweet-savory, one-pan meal.
Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Per serving: 310 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated), 36 g protein, 355 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber
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