It's a whole new world of chicken dishes!
Chicken is a great option for dinner because it is packed with protein, and it is usually crowd-pleasing. Unfortunately, chicken has a tendency to get boring, especially when you are eating it several times a week. Luckily, chicken is versatile and can be prepared numerous different ways. Below you will find 30 new ways to cook chicken (which include adding other healthy ingredients to create a complete meal.)
Grilled chicken becomes a staple when trying to follow a high-protein diet, and for good reason. A 3-ounce chicken breast contains 25 grams of protein, making it much easier to meet your daily protein requirements. They play an important role in our body’s nutrition. It also includes selenium, which is thought to lower the risk of arthritis. When it comes to chicken, the versions filled with spices, cream, and butter are not worth a regular diet. If you’re going to eat chicken on a regular basis, either grill it or roast it. It’s fine to eat chicken on a daily basis if it’s prepared properly, so if you’re not too pressed on how healthy your meal is, you can still enjoy these delicious recipes.
Most people find the best chicken dishes are those that incorporate their favorite flavors. Top chicken recipes include: Mexican, Italian, Moroccan, and other ethnic preparations. You can also make healthy chicken recipes simply by poaching or grilling plain chicken and adding it to salads. The best ideas for cooking chicken are limitless, especially if you are willing to experiment with different spices and preparation techniques.
Listed below are some of the best chicken meals available. If you are ever in a slump and looking for a new way to enjoy chicken, our selection of 30 new ways to cook chicken can help.
30 Ways to Cook Chicken
1. Poached
Bring a pot of water to a simmer and drop chicken tenders in it for 8-10 minutes. This process is great for shredding chicken to add to a salad.
2. Casseroles
Creamy pasta dishes aren’t always healthy but our Chicken Florentine Casserole is a clean eating recipe with only 315 calories per serving!
3. “Fried”
Who says you can’t have healthy fried chicken? Try our Slow Cooker Fried Chicken for a delicious alternative to the deep fried option we often crave. Here are two healthier options for fried chicken:
4. Roasted
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle salt and pepper on a 3 lb whole chicken. Roast for 45-60 minutes or until internal temperature is at least 160. Remove skin and shred chicken. Add barbecue sauce and serve on whole wheat buns. Try our One-Pan Roasted Chicken And Veggies Dinner.
5. Chili
Try our Slow Cooker Chicken Chili for a white-meat alternative to regular chili.
6. Stir-Fry
Our Asian Chicken Wraps are a great way to have chicken stir fry as finger food. Serve them at your next party and you’ll be sure to impress your guests. You might also like this Ginger Honey Chicken Stir Fry.
7. Stuffed
Bake as normal, but beforehand pound a chicken breast and arrange some spinach, mozzarella cheese and chopped tomatoes on the breast. Roll it up and secure with toothpicks.
Try: Healthy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
8. Burrito or Taco Filler
We love slow cookers! Especially when we can use it to make restaurant-style shredded chicken to make homemade burritos with. Try our Black Bean and Chicken recipe.
9. Nut-Crusted
Dip your chicken in a whisked egg and then into your favorite nut (walnuts work great). Heat in a hot skillet for an added crunch and extra protein. Our recipe for Black Pepper and Walnut Crusted Chicken Breasts is outrageously yummy! You might also like to check out this yummy Pecan Crusted Chicken.
10. Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is a family favorite and one of the most popular on Skinny Ms.. We have plenty of other chicken soup recipes to try, including:
- Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup
- Quick and Easy Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Cream of Chicken and Rice Soup
11. Easy Asian Fusion
Feeling like takeout? We’ve got healthier options that still taste amazing! Try our:
- Sesame Honey Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken Bake
- Healthy Orange Chicken
- Low Carb, Sugar-Free General Tso’s Chicken
12. BBQ
The best way to BBQ chicken is to baste it with BBQ sauce while it’s on the grill. This prevents the chicken from drying out and brings out the flavor of the sauce without burning it. Try this recipe for Slow Cooker Spicy Barbecued Chicken or this Orange Honey BBQ Wings.
13. Pizza
Try this unique pizza recipe – Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza.
14. Spice Rubbed
Try rubbing equal proportions of garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder and oregano with a pinch of salt on two chicken fillets. Let it sit for about an hour and sear in a pan for added flavor without a heavy sauce.
15. Italian-Style
Chicken can be added to just about any Italian dish to up the protein content. It even allows you to cut down on pasta servings in a dish without leaving diners feeling deprived. Here’s a Healthy Chicken Parmesan recipe to add to this week’s dinner menu. You might also like:
- One-Pan Rustic-Style Italian Chicken
- Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta
- “Melt in Your Mouth” Italian Baked Chicken
16. Simple Thai
Craving Thai food? This Thai Peanut Chicken recipe is easy and delicious!
17. Pita
You can make plain baked or grilled chicken and add it to pita bread, or you can get creative with leftovers and make a sandwich with a special kick. Check out this recipe for Greek Pita Sandwich Recipe made with seared chicken strips.
18. Blackened
You can buy blackening spice at the store and heat an iron skillet until its very hot. Sear the chicken so that it develops a great crispy, dark crust.
Try: Blackened Chicken Alfredo or this Zesty Blackened Chicken
19. Philly Style
Skip the beef and go for chicken in our Philly Cheese and Chicken Sandwich.
20. Pan-Seared
Heat a skillet with about 1 tablespoon canola oil. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on a few chicken breasts and place them in the skillet for a quick, delicious sear. Cover and cook on low until chicken is cooked through. Substitute the breast for a burger or add it to our favorite sandwich.
Try: Skillet Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Potatoes
21. Breakfast Sausage
Swap in ground chicken instead of turkey in our favorite breakfast sausage recipe.
22. Mexican-Style
Burritos and tacos are not the only Mexican option for preparing chicken. Try this traditional Mexican dish – Leanilicious Chicken Posole or our Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas.
23. Pie
You can still have chicken pot pie and eat healthy. We love swapping in whole wheat biscuits.
Try: Easy Chicken Pot Pie
24. Pasta
Add shredded chicken to your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe for a boost of protein. We recommend added 1 cup shredded chicken to this recipe for Mac and Cheese with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. You might also like this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole.
25. Salsa
Bake two chicken breasts in a cup of salsa for an easy, flavorful piece of chicken to add to tacos, salads or nachos. Check out this recipe for Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken.
26. Marinade
There are tons of great marinades out there, but start by making your own. Combine your favorite flavors like lemon juice, lime juice, yogurt, fresh herbs, dried herbs, honey and garlic to create your perfect blend. Ginger Infused Honey Chicken is marinated in a mixture of lite soy sauce, sesame seed oil, grated ginger, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. Delicious!
27. Pot Roast
Substitute chicken breast for beef in your favorite preparation of pot roast. Check out this Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Roast recipe.
28. Balsamic
Balsamic vinegar and chicken pair well together. Adding balsamic chicken to a salad is a great option for lunch or dinner. You’ll love our Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken!
29. “Fake-Out“
Any time you are craving take-out from your favorite restaurant, consider how you can duplicate the dish at home using chicken. Lo mein? Salad? Parmigiana? Burgers? It’s all possible with chicken. You’ll love this recipe for Clean Eating Chicken Salad.
30. Tropical
Chicken pairs well with tropical flavors, such as coconut and pineapple. Our Pineapple Chicken is a great option for a summer dinner.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes from Skinny Ms., check out our Skinny Ms. Recipe Collection of 101 Fan Favorites.
If you enjoyed this post, you may like:
- Slow Cooker Everything Chicken
- 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Herb Crusted Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef
Do you have a favorite Skinny Ms. recipe? We’d love to hear about it. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
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