Chicken is an essential protein for a healthy diet. So, if you want to lose weight, maintain it, or simply eat healthy, these healthy chicken recipes are worth saving and trying.
Protein plays an essential role in the body. They are the building blocks of your muscles.
Protein also helps increase fullness levels and slightly helps increase the metabolism (promoting weight loss).
One of the best protein options is chicken. However, if you don’t know how to cook chicken, it can become a very bland meal.
And healthy and flavorful don’t have to be mutually exclusive. They can go hand in hand.
Here, I have 31 delicious, healthy chicken recipes for you to enjoy.
1. Baked Chicken Cutlets
Source: allnutritious.com
These baked chicken cutlets are so delicious, crunchy, and juicy that you won’t believe they are only 291 calories per serving.
Once you try this way of coating your chicken, you won’t go back to traditional breading.
The best thing is that it pairs nicely with any side dish of your choice. For example, add some rosemary, small potatoes, and a green salad, and you’ll have the perfect balanced meal.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 291
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 20.7g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Sugar: 2.2g
2. Chicken Burrito Bowls
Source: allnutritious.com
I love making burritos, but making them ahead of time is not an option. At least for me, since I don’t like my wraps to become soggy.
These chicken burrito bowls are a great way to get all the flavors from a traditional burrito, but with the advantage that you can meal prep the recipe—saving time and money.
One of the things I like about making a bowl is that you can adapt the ingredients based on your needs and preferences.
Need more protein? Add more chicken! Or why not try adding some guac to the recipe?
Per Serving:
- Calories: 520
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 37g
- Carbs: 64g
- Fiber: 9.5g
- Sugar: 4.2g
3. Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet
Source: allnutritious.com
Looking for an Italian comfort food? This creamy tomato chicken skillet is precisely what you need!
The Italian spices used in this recipe are what make this recipe a one-of-a-kind dish. And its creamy and tasty sauce pairs nicely with a bowl of freshly made brown rice or some pasta.
I assure you that every bite you take is like a tiny warm hug that goes straight to your heart.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 478
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 56g
- Carbs: 8.8g
- Fiber: 3.2g
- Sugar: 6.2g
4. Chicken Avocado Salad
Source: wholesomeyum.com
If you only have 10 minutes to create a healthy and delicious meal, this is the recipe ideal for you.
This chicken avocado salad only takes 10 minutes to assemble, and it only requires six main ingredients.
To make the recipe, you’ll need avocados, lime juice, shredded chicken, red onion, fresh cilantro, and jalapeños. Grab some lettuce leaves, and you can make delicious, low-carb wraps.
The last time I made this, I tried adding cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. Make sure to try this alternative!
This is one of the best filling low calorie recipes if you are on a diet!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 219
- Fats: 13.8g
- Protein: 17.3g
- Carbs: 8.8g
- Fiber: 5.8g
- Sugar: 1.2g
5. Cast Iron Chicken Breast
Source: allnutritious.com
Gluten-free, Whole30 approved, low-carb, and high in protein. All of these are the qualities of this cast iron chicken breast.
Each serving only has 185 calories and one gram of carbs. So, if you are following a low-carb or keto diet, this can be an excellent recipe to try to spicy things up in the kitchen.
If you want to keep the low-carb theme going, have some cauliflower rice and grilled vegetables on the side of this high protein dinner idea.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 185
- Fats: 9.8g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 1.1g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 0.1g
6. Dairy-Free Butter Chicken
Source: frugalnutrition.com
Nowadays, most people have some degree of lactose intolerance. This can limit your options, such as avoiding that delicious butter chicken dish.
But, with this recipe, you won’t have to avoid butter chicken ever again. This dairy-free butter chicken removes all dairy products while keeping the essence of the dish.
Trust me, you won’t believe that it’s different from the traditional recipe.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 717
- Fats: 52g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 8g
7. Chicken Zucchini Pasta
Source: allnutritious.com
If you love Chinese takeout, you’ll love this recipe. This chicken zucchini pasta has all the Asian-style flavors but with fewer calories and healthier ingredients.
While the recipe asks for zucchini noodles, you can always add other options, such as carrot noodles or beetroot noodles.
You can also add sweet potato noodles, but know that it will change the calories and nutritional value of the recipe.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 327
- Fats: 16g
- Protein: 19g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 3.6g
- Sugar: 20g
8. Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet
Source: inspiringsavings.com
This chicken fajita rice skillet is a no-effort recipe that the entire family is going to enjoy. And the best part is that you can do it ahead of time, making it a great meal-prepping recipe.
There are ways for you to reduce the calories even more within the recipe. For example, instead of adding a whole serving of brown rice, you can cut it in half and add more cauliflower rice.
You can also add other ingredients, such as cheese or guacamole. But keep in mind that this will increase the caloric content of the recipe.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 299
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 8g:
9. Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Source: allnutritious.com
There is something special about Teriyaki. It might be the sweet and savory taste you get or the complexity of its flavors. However, most Teriyaki recipes are high in calories.
This is a great recipe for those Teriyaki lovers who are trying to watch their weight.
By placing the chicken Teriyaki in lettuce leaves, you can create a delicious wrap that is less than 200 calories per serving. And each wrap has 22 grams of protein!
You might also want to try these other tasty low calorie dinner ideas.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 161
- Fats: 4.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 7.3g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Sugar: 3.8g
10. Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Source: itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
A salad is always a good option when trying to choose a healthy meal. Now, salads don’t have to be boring and only made from lettuce and tomatoes.
This Mediterranean chicken salad is full of flavor, fresh, and light.
The best part is that if you don’t have any of the ingredients in the recipe, you can switch it for something else.
For example, once, I didn’t have arugula leaves, so I simply switched them to spinach.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 518
- Fats: 40g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 5g
11. Honey Chicken Wings
Source: allnutritious.com
These honey chicken wings are so easy to prepare, and you will only need three ingredients to make them. You will need wings, Italian seasoning, and honey.
Yes! As simple as that.
And don’t let the short list of ingredients fool you. Each bite is packed with flavor. If you want to reduce the calories in the recipe, try using chicken breast instead of chicken wings.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 527
- Fats: 37g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6.2g
12. Chimichurri Chicken
Source: currytrail.in
If you are looking for a recipe to marinate your chicken, this is a must-try recipe. This chimichurri chicken is fresh, tangy, and with lots of garlic.
To get the most out of the flavors, make sure you marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes in the chimichurri sauce. However, if you can leave it for longer, then it is better.
Keep in mind that the chimichurri sauce is not only good for chicken. You can also add it on top of your favorite steak.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 543
- Fats: 35
- Protein: 49
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
13. Greek Lemon Chicken
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Another great recipe to marinate your chicken is this Greek lemon chicken recipe. Just like the previous recipe, make sure you marinate it for at least 30 minutes, but the longer, the better.
The recipe requires chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, and parsley. So, as you can see, every bite will be full of flavor.
While you can use chicken breast as the main protein, you can also use shrimp, pork loin, or salmon.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 241
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
14. Baked Chicken Cutlets
Source: kitchenathoskins.com
As a parent, you might be looking for healthier alternatives to nuggets.
These baked chicken cutlets are a great option to give to your kids instead of those highly processed store-bought nuggets.
One of the advantages of this recipe is that you can make them ahead of time and place them in the freezer.
That way, when your kids are in the mood for chicken nuggets (which in some cases is always), you can simply grab and reheat them, saving you a lot of time in the kitchen.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 313
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
15. Baked Paprika Chicken
Source: currytrail.in
You just arrived home, don’t have anything prepared, and are so tired you are thinking about ordering takeout. But before you do that, check this recipe instead.
This baked paprika chicken only takes 10 minutes to prepare. The rest of the time, the oven does the job. So, while it is cooking, you can sit back and relax.
Once the oven does its job, you’ll get a delicious dinner that is healthier and lower in calories than any takeout.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 192
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
16. Grilled Greek Chicken Strips
Source: katiescucina.com
I love grilled chicken strips. But if you don’t know how to make them, they can result in a very bland dish. That is not the case with this recipe!
These grilled Greek chicken strips are mouth-watering and very easy to make. To make these, you’ll need to go to your pantry and take spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, and thyme.
Pair them with some sweet potato air fryer fries and cherry tomatoes, and you’ll have an instant healthy meal.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 130
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 0.1g
17. Mexican Shredded Stuffed Peppers
Source: tasteandsee.com
These Mexican shredded stuffed peppers are low-carb, gluten-free, and family-friendly. The good news is that you can store them uncooked in the freezer to have later in the week.
There are also different variations of this dish. You can add or switch ingredients to your liking. And, if you don’t happen to love peppers, you can switch them to making zucchini boats.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 447
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 73g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
18. Roast Chicken
Source: thecozycook.com
This roast chicken is the perfect healthy recipe you can make the next time you have a dinner party or when your family comes over for the holidays.
One of the things that I love about this recipe is that it teaches you how to use the chicken broth and turn it into a delicious gravy. You really don’t want to miss this recipe!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 641
- Fats: 43g
- Protein: 54g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
19. Chicken Milanese
Source: katiescucina.com
Chicken Milanese is a great option when going out. However, if you want to make this in the comfort of your home or save money, this chicken Milanese recipe is worth trying.
And what do I love about this recipe? It is a delicious arugula salad. There is something special about the combination between the chicken Milanese and the green salad.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 432
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 42g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
20. Spinach Feta Chicken Meatballs
Source: tasteandsee.com
My family loves creating meatball subs. But when I want some variety in the meals, I opt for these spinach feta chicken meatballs instead of a traditional meatball.
These are a healthier option for store-bought meatballs, and they are packed with nutrients thanks to their spinach content.
Each meatball only has 81 calories and 7 grams of protein, making it a great protein option to add to your next meal.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 81
- Fats: 5g
- Protein:7g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
21. Veggie Loaded Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
Source: itsavegworldafterall.com
Next time you are in the mood for Mexican, try this healthier option instead. This veggie-loaded slow cooker Mexican cheese will provide essential nutrients the body needs to stay healthy.
While the recipe only asks for spinach and bell peppers, you can add other ingredients, such as cilantro or tomatoes.
You can keep this recipe stored in the freezer for up to three months, making it a great meal to have in case of emergency.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 185
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
22. Lemon Rosemary Chicken
Source: moneywisemoms.com
With every bite of this recipe, you’ll get hints of lemon, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil.
Cooked to perfection, this lemon and rosemary chicken is juicy, flavorful, and a dinner you are going to enjoy eating.
You can have this recipe along with quinoa brown rice, or if you are trying to reduce the carbs with some zucchini noodles.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 477
- Fats: 24g
- Protein: 55g
- Carbs: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
23. Baked Chicken Parmesan
Source: tasteandsee.com
My family’s favorite recipe is chicken Parm. However, depending on how the restaurant makes it, it might not be a healthy option since it can be high in fats and calories.
This baked chicken Parmesan is a great version that everyone will love, but keep it on the healthy side.
Serve this delicious recipe on top of some zucchini noodles or with some grilled vegetables for a healthy and nutritious meal.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 351
- Fats: 17g
- Protein: 44g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
24. Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Source: belleofthekitchen.com
You only will need five minutes to prepare this delicious meal and the rest you can leave it to the crockpot.
This crockpot salsa chicken is a great protein option to add on top of your wraps or tortillas to make a delicious taco.
Add the ingredients you love, such as corn, guacamole, pico de gallo, or any other topping you desire.
This is one of the most delicious high protein crockpot recipes for dinner!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 206
- Fats: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 2g
25. Veggie Chicken Burgers
Source: itsavegworldafterall.com
Kids often have trouble adding vegetables to their meals. These veggie chicken burgers are a family-friendly recipe that will make your kids fall in love with vegetables.
They can also be a great recipe to try when you are having a family BBQ. That way, you don’t have to worry about taking a salad since the vegetables are within the patties.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 141
- Fats: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
26. Peri Peri Chicken
Source: madcreationshub.com
Peri Peri chicken is a delicious recipe.
While it might sound like a complicated recipe to make, it only requires chicken, chili flakes, chilies, paprika, red wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, oil, garlic, lemon juice, and bell peppers.
You can use the peri peri marinade in other protein options. I tried it with fish, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever tried!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 557
- Fats: 43g
- Protein: 36g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
27. Honey and Mustard Baked Chicken Breasts
Source: kopiaste.org
Anything that has honey mustard in it can be in! Especially if it’s healthier than the dishes you can find in restaurants.
This honey and mustard baked chicken breast only has 224 calories. And it’s because you’ve heard it correctly: it is not fried but baked.
So, go to your kitchen and grab olive oil, chicken, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mild mustard, and white wine vinegar to get you started on this recipe.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 224
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 5g
28. Chicken Limone
Source: madcreationshub.com
Tired of the same lemon chicken recipe? Try this option instead!
This chicken limone recipe turns a boring lemon chicken into one of the most delicious meals you’ve ever had. Its delicious butter sauce is something everyone in the family is going to enjoy.
And, while it might sound complicated, it only requires a few ingredients you probably have in your kitchen already.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 168
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 1g
29. Baked Split Chicken Breast
Source: everydayfamilycooking.com
Nailing down the perfect chicken recipe, we have this baked split chicken breast. It is an easy go-to dinner you can have when you have no idea what to cook for your family.
Imagine every bite with hints of olive oil, garlic, oregano, paprika, black pepper, and parsley.
And, if you want to have a meal for later in the week (or month), you can leave this recipe marinating in the freezer for 4-5 months.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 257
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
30. Chicken Lentil Soup
Source: ablossominglife.com
If the weather is getting colder, this chicken lentil soup is just what you need. It is full of hearty ingredients, such as chicken, carrots, celery, potatoes, sausages, and white beans.
So, if you feel that you are starting to catch a cold, go to the stove and prepare this delicious meal.
This soup is a great idea for a healthy fall dinner!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 203
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Carbs: 29g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 2g
31. Coconut Cabbage Chicken Soup
Source: itsavegworldafterall.com
The last option I have for you is this cabbage chicken soup. It provides an explosion of flavors thanks to the green curry, coconut milk, and ginger.
This recipe is so filling that you won’t need to go back for seconds, helping you reduce the calories and promoting weight management.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 279
- Fats: 19g
- Protein: 19g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
